La Route des Etalons

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...

From the storied history of Haras de Bonneval to the beginning of a new chapter at Haras de Castillon, the 17th edition of La Route des Etalons had something to satisfy the curiosity of all who flocked to Normandy and its surrounding areas on Friday and Saturday. Among the overseas visitors taking part in the two-day event for the first time was renowned auctioneer John O'Kelly, just a few short weeks after bringing the curtain down on his time on the rostrum at Tattersalls. In any other year, O'Kelly would...

It's currently stallion trail season and, following the inaugural National Hunt showcase in Britain and last weekend's Irish Stallion Trail, over the next two days it is the turn of the original. Twenty-one studs across the north-west of France will open their doors on Friday and Saturday for La Route des Etalons, allowing access to 84 stallions from both codes. This is the 17th year of this popular promotional event which is now firmly etched in the diaries of many breeders each year. From Haras d'Etreham close to Bayeux down...

The studs participating in the 2026 edition of La Route des Etalons have been confirmed, with 21 farms set to open their doors on Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24. "These two days are both professional and one of the social events of the year," read a press release issued by La Fédération des Eleveurs (French TBA). "We look forward to meeting you there on January 23-24. Thank you in advance to the studs, the visitors and our sponsors and partners." The full list of studs welcoming visitors and...

The dates for the 2026 edition of La Route des Etalons have been confirmed, with breeders and racing fans having the opportunity to view many of France's leading stallions when the farms open their doors on Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24. More information regarding which farms will be taking part will be announced in December via the website.

Where to start on the first morning of the Route des Etalons? It was a decision which would have been easy to rush into, what with so many enticing options to choose from, all of them immaculately presented, ready and waiting to welcome the first guests of the day. 'Pace yourself,' I reminded myself. 'There's always tomorrow for anything you don't get to today.' Anyway, that's enough about the breakfast buffet at the hotel. Suitably fueled with a pile of crepes, cakes and pastries that would have made my dentist...

Friday will be a day of milestones in the life of this scribe, with the first day of Normandy's Route des Etalons set to coincide with the one-year anniversary of my first day as a member of team TDN. And boy, what a year it's been. One of the highlights from 12 months spent in the job came in August when I had the opportunity to sample the delights of Deauville for the first time. Equally, one of the low points then came in December when poor organisation on my...

The 2025 edition of La Route des Etalons will last from Friday, Jan. 17 through Saturday, Jan. 18. A total of 20 stud farms will open their doors to the public with at least 90 stallions set to parade. La Route is a unique opportunity to discover many of the best stallions and studs in France, as well as to meet many racing and breeding professionals in a very friendly atmosphere. "We would like to sincerely thank the participating stud farms, France Galop (for organising a trip), our partners in...

The 2025 edition of La Route des Etalons, an opportunity to view some of the best stallions and stud farms in France, will be held on Jan. 17-18. In a change from previous editions, it will be on a Friday and a Saturday, instead of the weekend proper. For more information on the French stallions available for viewing and which stud farms will be opening their doors, please visit la Route des Etalons website.

Not even a blanket of snow and some icy country lanes could deter those on the annual Normandy bloodstock pilgrimage more formally known as the Route des Etalons. With plenty of new sires to show off this year, many of France's major stallion studs welcomed in breeders and members of the public during the weekend showcase which is now in its 14th year. At Haras de Bonneval, the French home of the Aga Khan Studs stallions, more than 600 people turned out on Saturday to see the quartet of stallions...

Blood will out, so they say, and in the case of Onesto (Ire) this is certainly true. The most cursory glance at his pedigree gives you two of the most talked about and revered racehorses of the modern era - his sire Frankel (GB) and broodmare sire Sea The Stars (Ire). But it pretty much goes without saying when it comes to Frankel's offspring that there's an awful lot more going on as you take a closer look at his page.  Bred by American-based Adam Bowden of Diamond Creek Farm,...