Recorder the busiest name of newcomers to French stallion ranks

It was a bumper year for stallion retirements to France and the one who emerged as the most popular was Galileo's Group 3-winning son Recorder.

According to figures published by France-Sire, he covered 152 mares at Haras de Montfort et Preaux in Normandy where he stands with support from his breeder and former owner the Queen.

Recorder raced only three times at two in a career curtailed by injury but he won on two of those starts, including in the often informative Acomb Stakes.

Montfort et Preaux has a strong track record in drumming up support for their new names and in 2013 the stud, then known as Cauviniere, launched Rajsaman with a then-record 184 covers. It also, almost single-handedly, built Le Havre into one of Normandy's most in-demand stallions.

Recorder was the fifth busiest stallion in France overall in 2018, behind Cokoriko (234 mares), Dabirsim (188), Siyouni (178) and Doctor Dino (155).

Almanzor, the European champion of 2016, was another popular newcomer to the French stallion ranks, covering 140 mares at Haras d'Etreham at a fee of €35,000.

Zarak, a Group 1-winning son of Dubawi and Zarkava, was sent 133 mares at Haras de Bonneval.

Reliable Man is not a new stallion but he was new to Normandy this year and the sire of Group 3 winners Erasmus and Narella served 126 mares at Haras du Thenney.

Prix Jacques le Marois winner Al Wukair received 117 mares at Haras de Bouquetot, where three other stallions started out this year: Zelzal (77 mares), Ectot (68) and Brametot (60).

Wings Of Eagles, who became the first Derby hero in decades to retire straight to stud in France, is reported by France-Sire to have covered 60 mares at his birthplace of Haras de Montaigu.

A less heralded name who proved a popular choice of breeders in his first season was Magneticjim, a useful hurdler by Galileo and a three-parts brother to Group 1 winners Corre Caminos and Racinger. He covered 116 mares for a chickenfeed fee at Haras de la Haie Neuve.

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