By Emma Berry
A notable landmark was reached at Henri and Antonia Devin's Haras du Mesnil on Sunday when Turgeon (Caro) celebrated his official 30th birthday with a special carrot cake.
The George Strawbridge-bred veteran enjoyed a lengthy racing career, winning six of his 27 starts, including the G1 Irish St Leger and G1 Prix Royal Oak, across five seasons, and his stud career has been similarly enduring and noteworthy.
“The win prize money from his progeny is now at more than €22 million,” said Antonia Devin. “That's €1 million per season he has been at stud.”
Turgeon is still on active duty in France and already has mares scanned in foal this season. Antonia added, “He's covering every day and is just as fertile and still very supple. He's never seen a vet apart from for his annual swabs. He's been so good to us and we have some cracking foals on the ground this year. He's quite amazing.”
Turgeon's influence as a stallion has been principally felt in the National Hunt field, with his top-rated son being the Jonjo O'Neill-trained G1 Lexus Chase winner Exotic Dancer (Fr). His high-class daughter Ma Filleule (Fr) is entered in next week's G1 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, where he will also feature as broodmare sire of leading G1 Stan James Champion Hurdle contender The New One (Ire) (King's Theatre {Ire}) and of the Antonia Devin-bred exciting young hurdler Politologue (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}).
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