Haras du Quesnay to be sold to French businessman and stock dispersed

The Head family has confirmed that its Haras du Quesnay has now been sold in its entirety, with four stallions due to be relocated and its broodmares and youngsters to be offered at Arqana's Breeding Stock Sale, the Vente d'Elevage, in December.

Part of the historic Normandy stud had already been acquired by the Chehboub family, and Quesnay resident Intello is crossing over to join Sealiway and Stunning Spirit at the newly branded Haras de Beaumont.

The remainder of the stud has been purchased by entrepreneur Stephane Courbit, who has numerous business interests within his Lov Group venture.

Quesnay has been in the hands of the Heads since its purchase by William Head in 1958, but his son and the stud's next patriarch Alec died at the age of 97 last summer.

His son, the famed rider and trainer Freddy, said: "After the death of my father, my mother thought it was better to sell the stud.

"It was a private deal and there were two deals; one part of the stud was bought by the Chehboub family, who have horses and a stable in France, and the other part was bought by Stephane Courbit, who is a famous businessman in France who has hotels and a TV business. I think it will still be used as a stud farm, but I’m not sure yet."

Freddy Head, who is to join his decorated sister Criquette in retirement from training at the end of the year, will still be involved in the sport while his son Christopher is also showing plenty of promise in the same profession.

"I’ve got a few broodmares and I’ll keep on breeding on my side," he said. "It's a bit sad but that’s life, and life goes on."

The most famous recent product of Quesnay is dual Arc heroine Treve. She was sired by Derby winner Motivator, who was one of the four recent resident stallions due to be relocated.

Dual Arc winner Treve is one of the most famous horses to have been produced by QuesnayCredit: Al Shaqab Racing/Zuzanna Lupa

"Intello is going to the Chehboubs, they're building up a new stud, and Motivator is going to another farm in Normandy," Freddy Head explained.

"Recoletos is going to Haras du Petit Tellier, owned by Patrick Chedeville's family, and another horse, Attendu, is going to be sold to a stud in Africa."

Quesnay has stood fine stallions for decades, from Green Dancer and Riverman to Bering and Anabaa. Among others to have been bred there are Ravinella and Ma Biche.

A draft of around 40 broodmares, fillies and foals are to be offered at Arqana in December, including the last foal out of Trevise, Treve's dam who has also produced black-type horses Trophee and Trois Rois. She is a filly from the last crop of the late Le Havre.

Treve's half-sister Toride, who has already produced Listed winner Lady Day and Group 3 runner-up Maximus, as well as a €260,000 Nathaniel colt sold to Stroud Coleman at the recent yearling sale at Arqana, is also to be offered.

They are to be joined by Perle D'Auge, from the top Saint Pair family of Pearls Galore and Pearly Shells, who is a half-sister by Le Havre to this year's dual Group 3 winner Eternal Pearl.

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