Normandie Stud

The dual Doncaster Cup winner Sweet William has been retired from racing, with jockey Robert Havlin, who partnered the son of Sea The Stars in every one of his 24 career starts, describing him as his "favourite horse of all time to ride". Trained by John and Thady Gosden for owner-breeder Philippa Cooper, Sweet William retires as a seven-time winner and with over £1.2 million in career earnings to his name. Successful in the G2 Doncaster Cup in both 2024 and 2025, he can also count the 2024 G3 Henry...

One of Britain's most beloved stayers, Normandie Stud's homebred Sweet William (Sea The Stars) came good again on Friday to add his name to an illustrious list who have won the G2 Doncaster Cup more than once. Left behind at the start, the 10-11 favourite was coaxed into contention by Robert Havlin and after moving to the three-year-old Pendragon (Camelot) approaching two out stormed clear for an emphatic 3 3/4-length success. "These staying races are a whole lot of fun and he's a wonderful old horse," John Gosden said. "He...

Dual Classic winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}--Gale Force {GB}, by Shirocco {Ger}) will stand in 2024 under Coolmore's National Hunt banner after being purchased from Godolphin this week. Bred by Philippa Cooper's Normandie Stud and born and raised at Coolmore, the three-time Group 1 winner was purchased by Godolphin for 200,000gns out of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1. Sent into training with Charlie Appleby, the March foal broke his maiden at first asking at Newmarket in October of 2020, and was an undefeated winner of the G2...

Following in the steps of Lionel (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) 12 months ago, Normandie Stud's homebred Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) emulated that half-brother's success in Goodwood's Listed British EBF 40th Anniversary Cocked Hat S. on Friday. Heavily-supported into 4-7 favouritism having brushed aside decent yardsticks on debut over nearly 12 furlongs at Haydock in April, the John and Thady Gosden-trained bay raced behind the leading duo early. Notably unhappy on the unique terrain four out, he nevertheless kept responding to Rob Havlin's urgings to get on top passing...

Ascot's Naas Racecourse Royal Ascot Trials Day British EBF Fillies' S. offers the G1 Coronation S. hopefuls a chance to get acquainted with the track and Normandie Stud's Queen For You (Ire) (Kingman {GB}--Fallen For You {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) could be one for that contest after earning TDN Rising Star status on Wednesday. Debuting in the mile encounter, the John and Thady Gosden-trained daughter of the 2012 Coronation heroine whose half-siblings include the multiple group winner Glorious Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and who is a full-sister to the listed scorer Love...

  David Menuisier is not a man to concentrate on the past. The stable has been in the news over the fact that Phillipa Cooper of Normandie Stud decided to move stable star Lionel (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) to John and Thady Gosden after his poor performance in the G1 Irish Derby.    However, while Menuisier has had his say on the high-profile split in this week's Q&A, he explained that he has closed the chapter on the situation and is keen to move on.    There are few...

Following a quiet few days in the aftermath of Ascot and Chantilly, things get moving again on Saturday with The Curragh staging one of the most interesting renewals of the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for some time. A race that has from time to time in recent years been under the shadow of the European Pattern Committee's guillotine has pulled a trick out of the hat this year to ensure it keeps its exalted status for the immediate future at least. Aidan O'Brien has come to tick off...

The only maiden in the line-up for Goodwood's Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat S. on Friday, Normandie Stud's Lionel (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) emerged on top of a tight finale to step into the frame for the Irish Derby. Sent off at 17-2 on the back of a promising third behind the re-opposing Natural World (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and the subsequent Listed Fairway S. winner Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in an 11-furlong Newbury maiden Apr. 16, the bay was settled with one behind early...

It was a Derby double for Frankel (GB) on Saturday as Godolphin's Hurricane Lane (Ire) emulated his stablemate Adayar (Ire) in The Curragh's G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. Leaving it late under William Buick, the May 13 G2 Dante S. winner and June 5 G1 Epsom Derby third stayed on powerfully from behind as Frankie Dettori cut loose on the fellow British-trained Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in early straight and overwhelmed that rival in the final yards for a neck success as the 4-1 second favourite. There were...

Denied a tilt at the G1 Epsom Derby due to the eve-of-race downpour, Shadwell's Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) had luck on his side on Thursday and after the overnight thunderstorm had bypassed Ascot duly showed his wares in the G3 Hampton Court S. Anchored towards the back early by Jim Crowley, the 11-8 favourite had to come five-wide on the home bend but had the engine to get to the front passing two out as Roman Empire (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) stuck close by. Drifting away from the whip and across...

Anyone who either dabbles in the business with a mare or two, or operates in the higher echelons with a sizeable broodmare band, would be more than excited in the Classic countdown to have a five-length winner of a Newmarket trial who was catapulted into second favouritism for the Derby. That was the position breeder Philippa Cooper found herself in on Guineas weekend when Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) cantered all over his rivals for a cosy success in the listed Newmarket S. for William Haggas and Shadwell. And she admits...

Maintaining his unbeaten record in an attritional renewal of York's G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante S. on Thursday, Godolphin's Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) duly put himself in the picture for a fascinating G1 Epsom Derby. Coming through the Charlie Appleby ranks with a win in the 10-furlong Newbury conditions race that has acted as an important stepping stone to Epsom in recent times, the chestnut with abundant stamina was put in second early with William Buick keeping tabs on Ballydoyle's Roman Empire (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). As that second...