By Kelsey Riley
La Cauviniere's Rajsaman (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}), the leading first-season sire in France, sired his first stakes winner on Tuesday when Brametot (Ire) took the Listed Grand Criterium de Bordeaux at Bordeaux Le Bouscat, a race won last year by subsequent G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Irish Champion S. winner Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Brametot is campaigned in partnership by La Cauviniere owner Gerard Augustin-Normand, who has also developed the successful stud career of Le Havre (Ire) (Noverre) and campaigned many of his top progeny. The TDN's Kelsey Riley caught up with La Cauviniere's Nominations and Client Relations Manager Mathieu Alex to talk about Rajsaman and Le Havre, as well as Saturday's G1 Qipco Champion S. favourite Almanzor.
KR: Rajsaman's popularity at the yearling sales last year, with yearlings selling for up to €67,000 off a €4,000 stud fee, has translated into racetrack success with his first crop this year, and he is France's leading first-season sire and had his first stakes winner on Tuesday. What qualities does Rajsaman have that predisposed him to being a successful sire?
MA: He had a great turn of foot, he is sound and has the fighting spirit. His racing career speaks for itself: he was a stakes winner at two and won four group races over a mile at three and four, defeating 10 Group 1 winners including Lope de Vega (Ire) and Siyouni (Fr). We were very keen to purchase him after the G1 Prix d'Ispahan where, coming from last in the straight, he finished one length from Goldikova (Ire) and a half-length from Cirrus des Aigles (Fr); they won 25 Group 1s between them. He is also very well bred, being by champion sire Linamix and a full brother to the dam of a Marcel Boussac winner, Rosanara, also second in the G1 Prix de Diane.
KR: You increased Rajsaman's stud fee from €4,000 to €6,000 this year off the popularity of his yearlings and due to sheer demand, noting that he had bred 219 mares last year from 300 applications. How many mares did he cover this year, and what is the expected number for next year?
MA: It's true that Rajsaman has always been very popular and covered big books from day one. He covered 190 mares in 2016 and will be busy again next year no doubt. Brametot was impressive yesterday and I know Jean-Claude Rouget has high hopes with him for next year. Last Sunday, Prinz Hlodowig was impressive to finish second in G3 Prix Conde and might run in the Group 1 in Saint-Cloud next month.
KR: La Cauviniere has enjoyed great success with Le Havre with a carefully planned-out programme that includes supporting the horse with its own mares. Has the same plan been used with Rajsaman, and has he been supported by other major French breeders? In addition, has there been any international interest in the horse?
MA: Yes, we have supported Rajsaman with some very good mares from the farm as this is our policy. We were very pleased to also get support from Lady Chryss O'Reilly, Mme Andre Fabre, Haras des Monceaux, The Aga Khan studs, and Baron Edouard de Rothschild. We also had some nice mares from abroad.
KR: Le Havre has continued to fly the flag for La Cauviniere and France this year with the likes of La Cressonniere. His fee has increased each of the last four years. Is it likely to rise again next year?
MA: Le Havre is having another fantastic season. He has now produced two dual Classic winners in three years. As you can imagine, demand is already very strong for next year. His fee will be finalised shortly after the Arqana October sales.
KR: La Cauviniere is involved with another exciting stallion prospect in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Irish Champion S. winner Almanzor. It was announced today that Haras d'Etreham and SF Bloodstock purchased a half-share in the colt, and that he will stay in training at four. As one of the best horses in Europe this year, Almanzor surely could stand anywhere. Will he stand in France when he retires from racing?
MA: It is great for racing that Almanzor stays in training next year. Regarding his future as a stallion, the decision will be taken after his racing career but it would be great to stand him in France. We now have some very exciting young stallions in France which is great for the country. Good stallions get plenty of good mares, no matter where they stand.
KR: What will Almanzor's big race targets be in 2016, and what are the expectations heading into this weekend's G1 Champion S.?
MA: Jean-Claude Rouget and the owners will discuss his program for next year but I'm sure he will travel again. The horse seems to be in good form for Saturday. Croisons les doigts!
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
