Mathieu Alex

Yesterday's piece with a selection of leaders in the French bloodstock community concluded with a teaser regarding the future stallion career of Daryz, the winner of last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for Francis-Henri Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs. Of course, there is a lot of water to pass under the bridge, and more Group 1s to be won, before a decision has to be made, but it will be a conversation all the same as to whether Daryz takes up residence at the Aga Khan family's Haras...

So much that is good about the French breeding industry was showcased over the course of two days last week, not least the resilience of its practitioners, an oft-heralded quality when speaking to those at the coalface during the 2026 edition of La Route des Etalons. Like so many other leading racing jurisdictions, France is currently facing headwinds that make the pursuit of breeding racehorses, and/or owning them, a less attractive option than in years gone by. Then, in May last year, France Galop announced a €20.3 million reduction in...

Being a leading broodmare sire is so often a posthumous honour. It is also one that tends to come on the back of a stallion either having been sent strong books of mares from the outset, or having earned that right through eye-catching early results in his stud career.  Of the top 20 broodmare sires in Europe in 2025, only half of them are still living, and of that 10, eight remain active. It is hardly earth-shattering news to reveal that Galileo's name was at the top of the list,...

As old-fashioned as it may now seem, in this small corner of the bloodstock world a strong personal preference it still held for the Derby above all races. And by that, of course, we are talking about the original version, at Epsom, with that piece of wood at the end of the unique mile-and-a-half challenge which was made famous in a quote from the revered breeder Federico Tesio.  We can't all agree on everything though, can we? That would just be dull. But beyond the stifling and shouty sphere of...

By Katie Ritz and Sue Finley    There are seven stallions based in France whose first foals will sell at this week's Arqana December Sale. We talked with the connections at their stud farms to find out what they have seen in the foals, what they will bring to market of theirs this week, and what expectations are for the progeny they are about to launch into the sales arena.   ACE IMPACT (Cracksman -- Absolutly Me, by Anabaa Blue). Standing for  €30,000 at Haras de Beaumont.  2023 Cartier Horse of...

The team at Kamel and Pauline Chehboub's Haras de Beaumont has been extended by the appointment of Sylvain Vidal in the role of nominations and client relations. Vidal's return to the stallion business revives an old partnership with long-time friend and ally Mathieu Alex, the manager of Beaumont. "Mathieu called me a few weeks ago and I spoke with Pauline and Kamel," said Vidal. "I really like the team. I've known them for many years and I love the energy they have and what they have developed in a short...

Last year's Group 1 Prix Jean Prat winner Puchkine (Fr) has settled in well at Haras de Beaumont with the stud manager Mathieu Alex saying that, "everyone who has seen him, loves him." Puchkine will provide something a little bit different for breeders in France and his fee has been set at €8,500.  The speedy son of Starspangledbanner (Aus) went unbeaten at two before confirming his progression into a top-notch three-year-old when taking out the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville. It was after that Group 1 triumph when the Chehboub...

Two years ago as breeders and buyers descended upon Deauville for the Arqana December Sale, many made the short drive out to the Chehboub family's newly launched Haras de Beaumont, which sits on a portion of the former Haras du Quesnay estate, to inspect dual Group 1 winner Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}). Last year was more of the same as visitors dropped in to take in champion three-year-old and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) and this year, they'll be back to visit yet another...

Prix Jean Prat winner Puchkine (Fr) will stand for a fee of €8,500 when he embarks on his first season at Haras de Beaumont in 2025, joining a roster headed by the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Ace Impact (Ire), who will remain at a fee of €40,000. The Chehboub family, owners of Haras de Beaumont, purchased a 50 per cent share in Puchkine from his owner-breeder Alain Jathiere in July. Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, the son of Starspangledbanner (Aus) was unbeaten in three races as a juvenile and...

Haras de Beaumont has welcomed the G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Puchkine (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) to its stallion roster for 2025. He will stand for a fee of €8,500 at the Normandy farm alongside Arc winner Ace Impact (Ire), Intello (Ger), Sealiway (Fr), and Stunning Spirit (GB). The Chehboub family, owners of Haras de Beaumont, purchased a 50 per cent share in the three-year-old from his owner-breeder Alain Jathiere back in July. Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, Puchkine was unbeaten in three races as a juvenile and won five of his...

The Chehboub family's Haras de Beaumont has purchased a 50 per cent share in last weekend's G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Puchkine (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) from his owner-breeder Alain Jathiere.  The three-year-old colt, trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, was unbeaten in three races as a juvenile and has now won five of his eight starts. He is likely to be seen next in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in Deauville on August 4. Last year, the Haras de Beaumont team made a similar strategic mid-season purchase when buying into Serge...

It is unquestionable that the cessation of the Head family's operation at Haras du Quesnay is a sad development for French breeding but there is at least one phoenix to rise from those ashes in the launch of the Chehboub family's Haras de Beaumont. Set on 100 acres of land formerly owned by Alec and Ghislaine Head on the Quesnay estate, and just across the road from the chateau, the new operation's proximity to Deauville is one major draw, as is the retirement to the French stallion ranks of the...