A look at some of the top sires on show at the French Stallion Trail

The Route des Etalons takes centre stage this Saturday and Sunday after the Irish equivalent last weekend, with some exciting new sires set to join the old guard at some of Europe's leading operations. Breeders and the public can look forward to seeing some top-notch stallions, a nap hand of whom are detailed below.

Galileo Gold

10yo Paco Boy - Galicuix (Galileo)
Haras de Bouquetot

A proven sire who is new to the French stallion ranks for 2023, Galileo Gold rates a high-class prospect for French breeders as a 2,000 Guineas winner and the sire of Group 1 Phoenix Stakes winner Ebro River, himself new to Haras de la Haie Neuve this season.

The son of Paco Boy spent his first five seasons at Tally-Ho Stud after a racing career that saw him strike in the Newmarket Classic, St James's Palace Stakes and Vintage Stakes for Hugo Palmer and Al Shaqab Racing.

Galileo Gold with trainer Hugo PalmerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Now a ten-year-old, Galileo Gold is responsible for six black-type winners, led by Ebro River and also including the admirable and tough multiple Group winner and Group 1-placed Oscula and stakes scorers The Wizard Of Eye, Goldana and System.

Masked Marvel

15yo Montjeu - Waldmark (Mark Of Esteem)
Haras de la Tuilerie

Masked Marvel's name hit the headlines when his talented son Teahupoo dealt the great Honeysuckle her first defeat in the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle this winter, and the likelihood is we are going to be hearing plenty more about the Gordon Elliott-trained runner and his sire over the coming years.

The Newsells Park Stud-bred son of Montjeu hails from the brilliant 'W' family, being out of Waldmark - a half-sister to German Derby hero Waldpark - and the St Leger winner is therefore a half-brother to Group winner Waldlerche, the dam of Arc victor and Ballylinch Stud's first-season sire Waldgeist, and another Group winner, Knockhouse Stud's new stallion, Waldkonig.

Masked Marvel's own stud career has gone from strength to strength. He is standing for a career-high fee of €12,500 this term, and among his talented offspring are last year's Grade 1 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris hero Sel Jem, Grade 3 Prix Journaliste winner La Danza and the Grade 2-placed Pacha Senam.

Saint Des Saints

25yo Cadoudal - Chamisene (Pharly)
Haras d'Etreham

Saint Des Saints needs little introduction as the sire of National Hunt celebrities like Betfair Chase winner Protektorat and fellow Grade 1 winners Goliath Du Berlais, Djakadam and Gaillard Du Mesnil, and the 25-year-old has taken his record as a broodmare sire to new heights of late.

Saint Des Saints at Haras d'EtrehamCredit: Scott Burton/Racing Post

His daughters have already produced the brilliant brothers Douvan and Jonbon, and Envoi Allen to name but three. With Envoi Allen adding to his laurels this season in Down Royal's Champion Chase and Jonbon notching a second Grade 1 score in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase last month, Saints Des Saints' pedigree presence continues to grow.

Other notables out of his daughters who are likely to make an impact in the build-up to, and at, the Cheltenham Festival include Appreciate It, El Fabiolo and Saint Roi.

Sealiway

5yo Galiway - Kensea (Kendargent)
Haras de Beaumont

A dual Group 1 winner and by the popular Galiway, Sealiway is an exciting new recruit for Haras de Beaumont and the French breeding scene in general.

The Guy Pariente-bred five-year-old cost €62,000 when selling to Paul Nataf from Haras de Colleville in 2019 and he more than earned his keep with victories at two including an eight-length strike in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere over Coventry Stakes winner Nando Parrado.

Also second to European champion St Mark's Basilica in the Prix du Jockey Club on his third start at three the following year, Sealiway rounded off his season with a gutsy success in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, defeating a field that included Mac Swiney, Mishriff and Adayar.

Out of the Listed-winning Kendargent mare Kensea, Sealiway will stand his first covering season for €12,000. He joins a number of new sires in France this year, with others including Montfort and Preaux's Mishriff and Haras de Bouquetot's Thunder Moon.

The Grey Gatsby

12yo Mastercraftsman - Marie Vison (Entrepreneur)
Haras du Petit Tellier

The highest-rated son of the late Mastercraftsman by Racing Post Ratings, with career highlights including wins in the Prix du Jockey Club and Irish Champion Stakes, Haras du Petit Tellier's flagship sire has made a name for himself in his second career too.

A hugely tough and popular campaigner over five seasons, the 12-year-old is transmitting plenty of class to his progeny.

The Grey Gatsby defeating Australia in the Irish Champion StakesCredit: Caroline Norris

Among their number are three Group winners headed by Dr Busch-Memorial winner and Group 1 German Oaks third Mylady, plus Prix de Lutece winner Master Gatsby and Premio Verziere winner Atomic Blonde.

Off the back of that, The Grey Gatsby is another to stand for a career-best fee, in his case €12,000. As the second leading sophomore sire behind the impressive Zarak, hopefully he will continue to be well supported off the back of such promising results.

For a full list of stallions and stud opening times, click here

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