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Sea The Stars Looms Large in French Covering Numbers

The mighty Sea The Stars (Ire) seems to have had more sons retired to the National Hunt stallion division than to the Flat, and he is of course represented by some notable new recruits to the stallion ranks this year in Britain in two of his most celebrated sons, Baaeed (GB) and Stradivarius (GB).

Another son, Crystal Ocean (GB), topped the charts for the number of mares covered in Britain and Ireland in 2022, though of those 338 he of course covered predominantly jump mares at the Beeches Stud in Ireland. Over in France, however, the two busiest Flat stallions were both sons of Sea the Stars, the Group 1 winners Zelzal (Fr) and Cloth Of Stars (Ire), both of whom are bred on the same cross with Kingmambo as Baaeed. Zelzal had the edge and was sent 189 mares at Haras de Bouquetot at his elevated fee of €15,000, with Cloth Of Stars covered 173 at Haras du Logis at €7,000.

The covering shed at Bouquetot was well used last spring. It may surprise some to see Hurricane Run's son Ectot (Ire) so well supported this year following early crops born from 2019 and numbering 43, 52 then 37. But his early runners, which included 'TDN Rising Star' Good Too (Fr) and the listed-placed Al Shaqab homebred Bennetot (Fr), have given his profile a real boost to the point that the well-bred dual Group/Grade 1 winner from Gerry Oldham's prolific black-type family has been lent the level of support his pedigree deserves. Ectot was the sixth busiest Flat stallion in France, and his studmate Toronado (Ire), who is still well supported in both hemispheres, was sent 148 mares. Alongside them at Bouquetot is Romanised (Ire), whose second book numbered 141, while the Group 1-winning sprinter Wooded (Fr), who is at the same stage of his stallion career, covered 112.

Galiway (GB), whose Group 1-winning son Sealiway (Fr) is just about to take up stud duties in Normandy, has taken over from Kendargent (Fr) as the most in-demand stallion at Guy Pariente's Haras de Colleville. The son of Galileo (Ire) was sent 170 mares, while Dubawi's leading son in France, the Aga Khan Studs' Zarak (Fr), a son of the great mare Zarkava (Fr), surpassed celebrated studmate Siyouni (Fr) with 159 disposals; the latter, who was French champion sire in 2021, covered 132.

At Julian Ince's Haras du Logis the stallion ranks increased by two last year, with Victor Ludorum (GB), one of Shamardal's three Group 1-winning juvenile colts of 2019 and later winner of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, the busiest newcomer this year on 155.

In a changing landscape on the French stallion stud scene, those sires previously standing at Haras du Quesnay have moved to various pastures new, with Intello (Ger) joining Sealiway next door at Haras de Beaumont and Recoletos (Fr) moving to Haras du Petit Tellier. Goldikova's brother Anodin (Ire) had already moved last year and had a revival of fortunes in covering numbers when sent 140 mares at Haras de la Haie Neuve.

Haras d'Etreham operates a maximum book policy of 140 for its stallions, and four on the Flat roster were all in three figures, with Almanzor (Fr) on 129, Hello Youmzain (Fr) 128, Persian King (GB) 115, and City Light (Fr) 112.

The Grey Gatsby (Ire), who has been at Petit Tellier throughout his stallion career, has made an interesting start at stud with three Group 3 winners to his credit in France, Germany and Italy. His fee jumps from €8,000 to €12,000 in 2023 after a year in which he was sent 120 mares.

The final stallion who just sneaked into three-figure territory is certainly worthy of mention as the Shadwell-bred Motamarris (Ire) entered stud earlier this year just as his popular sire Le Havre (Ire) died. The latter leaves a hole in the French ranks, and Motamarris is of extra interest as he is out of an Anabaa mare of rich heritage. His dam Thamarat (GB) has two stakes-producing daughters–the dams of G1 Irish Derby winner Santiago (Ire) and treble Group 3-winning sprinter Tantheem (GB) respectively–and she is a half-sister to the underrated and now-retired Tamayuz (GB). The family also includes Group 1 winner Eshaada (GB), while Motamarris's third dam is Allez Les Trois, dam of a Classic winner and sister of two Group 1 winners, one of whom just happens to be a mare by the name of Urban Sea.

It will be very interesting to monitor the progress of Motamarris at Matthieu Talleux's Haras du Mazet near Pompadour in the heart of France. His best win was in the Listed Prix de Compiegne, but his third place behind Sottsass (Fr) in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and fourth behind Persian King in the G1 Prix d'Isaphan show that he wasn't too far shy of the top level and it is good to see that he has been given support in his first year at a fee of just €1,800.

Bubbling slightly under the three-figure book mark in France this year were the Colleville father-and-son duo of Kendargent and Goken (Fr) on 80 and 87, respectively. Golden Horde (Ire) covered 84 mares at Sumbe, where he has recently been joined by Mishriff (Ire), while Gutaifan (Ire)'s move from Ireland to Haras des Faunes in south-west France brought about a book of 82, and Haras de Bonneval's Dariyan (Fr) covered 73 mares.

French Flat stallions who covered 100+ mares in 2022

Name, Mares, Sire

Zelzal (Fr) 189 Sea The Stars (Ire)

Cloth Of Stars (Ire) 173 Sea The Stars (Ire)

Galiway (GB) 170 Galileo (Ire)

Zarak (Fr) 159 Dubawi (Ire)

Victor Ludorum (GB) 155 Shamardal

Ectot (GB) 154 Hurricane Run (Ire)

Toronado (Ire) 148 High Chaparral (Ire)

Romanised (Ire) 141 Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)

Anodin (Ire) 140 Anabaa

Siyouni (Fr) 132 Pivotal (GB)

Almanzor (Fr) 129 Wootton Bassett (GB)

Hello Youmzain (Fr) 128 Kodiac (GB)

The Grey Gatsby (Ire) 120 Mastercraftsman (Ire)

Persian King (Ire) 115 Kingman (GB)

Wooded (Fr) 112 Wootton Bassett (GB)

City Light (Fr) 112 Siyouni (Fr)

Motamarris (Fr) 102 Le Havre (Ire)

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Mating Plans: Haras de Castillon

Benoit Jeffroy's Haras de Castillon, a burgeoning force on the French racing and bloodstock scenes, burst into international prominence in December when it consigned the Group 1-winning Grand Glory (Ire) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale, where she sold for €2.5-million. The quickly growing Castillon has only been in existence under its current guise since 2015, but the Jeffroy family has a history of breeding quality racehorses from their SCEA des Prairies, with just one recent example being Zelda (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), a listed winner last year at two bred by Castillon and SCEA des Prairies and raced by the Jeffroys in partnership with basketball star Tony Parker. Jeffroy is assisted at Castillon by Amelie Lemercier-and both also work at Sheikh Joaan's Haras de Bouquetot-and Jeffroy and Lemercier shared details of Castillon's 2022 mating plans.

TEXALOULA (FR) (m, 18, Kendor {Fr}-Texalouna {Fr}, by Kaldoun {Fr}), visits Sea The Moon (Ger)
Texaloula is the dam of Dubai Group 2 winner Frankyfourfingers (Fr) (Sunday Break {Jpn}). She is also the second dam of G3 Prix de Psyche winner and €1.2-million Arc sale topper Penja (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) and listed winners Taos (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}) and Texas (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) through two of her daughters. “Texaloula will visit Sea The Moon, a proven sire at good value, and we hope to have another filly,” said Castillon's Jeffroy.

TEXALOVA (GB) (m, 8, Dream Ahead-Texaloula {Fr}, by Kendor {Fr}), visits Wooded (Fr)
Texalova is an unraced daughter of Texaloula and is the dam of last year's listed-winning 2-year-old Texas. Texalova is currently in foal to Mehmas (Ire) and visits G1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Wooded in his second season this year. “Wooded is by Wootton Bassett so we will try to breed on the same line to get a three-quarter sibling to Texas,” Jeffroy said. “Wooded was a talented sprinter and I believe he has a big chance to make it.”

JUST WITH YOU (IRE) (m, 10, Sunday Break {Jpn}-Texaloula {Fr}, by Kendor {Fr}), visits Zelzal (Fr)
Just With You, a daughter of Texaloula and a half-sister to Texalova, is the dam of Taos and Penja. “Just With You is probably our best mare,” said Jeffroy. “She has a beautiful Wootton Bassett yearling filly and she is in foal to Siyouni. She will visit Zelzal. We are big supporters of Zelzal, having bred Zelda and having invested into him. We will support him strongly again this year with eight mares.”

AWE STRUCK (GB) (m, 12, Rail Link {GB}-Aspiring Diva, by Distant View), visits Victor Ludorum (Fr)
Awe Struck is the dam of German Group 3 winner and GI Canadian International second Alounak (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) and is barren this year. “Awe Struck will be bred to Victor Ludorum, who should bring her some precocity and speed,” Jeffroy said. “He is from a great stallion family and had a terrific turn of foot as a 2-year-old.”

GALILEO'S MOON (IRE) (m, 11, Galileo {Ire}-Adoration, by Honor Grades), visits Toronado (Fr)
Galileo's Moon is a daughter of Breeders' Cup winner Adoration who was purchased for $37,000 at Keeneland November in 2018. Galileo's Moon is in foal to Blue Point and visits Toronado. “I think Toronado is the best value stallion on the French roster,” Jeffroy said. “I have done the same cross with a filly named Jouza and she is a very promising filly, a winner on her second start as a 2-year-old last year.”

NEKO (FR) (m, 9, Dansili {GB}-Epopee {Ire}, by Sadler's Wells), visits Zelzal (Fr)
Neko is the dam of the listed-winning and G2 Prix Eugene Adam second Caprice Des Dieux (Fr) (Declaration Of War), and her second foal, the 3-year-old Gemmyo (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}), is a winner. She has a 2-year-old colt by Wootton Bassett and is in foal to Hello Youmzain. “She has got the walk but she needs some strength,” Jeffroy said. “Zelzal will inject some speed and strength.”

SPACE ANGEL (FR) (m, 4, Shalaa {Ire}-Space Quest {GB}, by Rainbow Quest), visits Ten Sovereigns (Ire)
A maiden mare from the family of Enable (GB) and Flintshire (GB) who ran three times last year, Space Angel will be bred to Ten Sovereigns for her first mating. “Space Angel showed a lot of potential in the mornings but was too keen in the afternoons,” Jeffroy said. “We have four nice foals on the farms by him [Ten Sovereigns], and I liked what I saw at the sales as well.”

SUNDAZE (FR) (m, 4, Shalaa {Ire}-Tropical Mark {GB}, by Mark Of Esteem {Ire}), visits Bated Breath (GB)
Sundaze is an unraced half-sister to the Group 1-placed Danza Cavallo (Fr) (Sunday Break {Jpn}), herself now the dam of Group 3 winner Cheshire Academy (Fr) (Flintshire {GB}). She visits Bated Breath, like Flintshire a son of Dansili, for her first covering.

ARLETTA (FR) (m, 4, Lethal Force {Ire}-Milena's Dream {Ire}, by Authorized {Ire}), visits Almanzor (Fr)
Arletta is a half-sister to GI EP Taylor S. winner Etoile (Fr) who was bought for €50,000 at Arqana in December in foal to Sottsass (Fr), a son of Etoile's sire Siyouni (Fr). She visits Almanzor in 2022.

AMARA (FR) (m, 4, Olympic Glory {Ire}-Lunaba {Fr}, by Anabaa), visits Hello Youmzain (Fr)
Amara is a half-sister to the dam of the GI Garden City S. winner Alterite (Fr) (Literato {Fr}) as well as the dual stakes-producer Dianaba (Fr) (Diktat {GB}). “She is from a great Louviere family,” said Jeffroy. “All her sisters who have been average race mares have been good producers including one who gave Group 1 winner Alterite. Amara has size and scope. She lacks strength behind so we will breed her to Hello Youmzain, who has plenty of speed and great, powerful conformation.”

RESTLESS (FR) (m, 6, Le Havre {Ire}-Reine Zao {Fr}, by Alzao), visits Romanised (Ire)
Restless is a half-sister to GI EP Taylor S. winner Reggane (GB) (Red Ransom) as well as to the dam of last year's G3 Prix des Reservoirs victress Rosacea (Ire) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). “She gave us a colt by Hello Youmzain as her first foal and will visit Romanised,” said Jeffroy. “We have five foals on the ground by him and I like them already.”

LEMON TWIST (IRE) (m, 14, Marju {Ire}-Lia {Ire}, by Desert King {Ire}), visits Ectot (GB)
Lemon Twist is the dam of G2 Prix de Malleret winner Al Wathna (GB) (Nayef). “Lemon Twist is a medium-sized, compact mare and Ectot is producing progeny with size and scope,” Jeffroy said. “He has started well with his first 3-year-olds.”

COMPLICATION (FR) (m, 4, No Nay Never-Sleek Gold (GB), by Dansili {GB}), visits Mehmas (Ire)
Complication is a winning and listed-placed half-sister to the Castillon-bred Ouraika (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), who won the GIII Sweet Life S. at Santa Anita. Another half-sister, Simplicity (Fr) (Casamento {Ire}), is listed-placed. Complication visits Mehmas for her first mating.

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Next Step For Good Too

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today's Observations features the return of a 'TDN Rising Star'.

2.07 Saint-Cloud, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, 7 1/2fT
GOOD TOO (FR) (Ectot {GB}) earned 'TDN Rising Star' status on his winning debut at Deauville last month and Jean-Claude Rouget has opted to go steady for now with Al Shaqab's half-brother to the listed-placed Nunzia (Fr) (Epaulette {Aus}). Described by his trainer as having “great potential” following his racecourse bow, he encounters five rivals all more experienced at this stage.

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