Dabirsim the busiest sire in France with blockbuster 198 mares

A flying start with his first juvenile runners encouraged breeders to flood Dabirsim with mares and make him the busiest thoroughbred stallion in France this year.

Indeed, the 198 mares he covered at Haras de Grandcamp in Normandy made him the third most active sire designated for the Flat in Europe overall, after Dark Angel (223) and Zoffany (217).

Dabirsim, a former joint-champion two-year-old in Europe himself, gave an early indication of what was to come when daughter All This Time became his first winner with a four-length success at Lion d'Angers in mid-April.

Another 15 individual winners have followed, including Albany Stakes heroine and Cheveley Park Stakes runner-up Different League, to earn a fee increase to €30,000 from €9,000 in 2018.

Dabirsim's yearlings have been in strong demand this sales season too, with two lots sold for €500,000 each.

The Aga Khan's exciting young sire Siyouni was almost equally popular, being sent 191 mares at Haras de Bonneval.

The many breeders who availed themselves of his services were vindicated when later in 2017 he posted his second Group 1 winner as Laurens took the Fillies' Mile.

The son of Pivotal was also responsible for Jersey Stakes scorer Le Brivido, Prix Jean Romanet second Siyoushake and one of the most exciting two-year-olds in France, six-length Prix Thomas Bryon winner Sacred Life.

Coastal Path, the Halling half-brother to Martaline and Reefscape who is the source of dual Grade 1-winning hurdler Bacardys, covered 165 mares at Haras de Cercy.

Four-time Group 1 winner Olympic Glory was supported with 160 mares, ahead of his first two-year-olds hitting the track next year.

Shalaa, a studmate of Olympic Glory at Haras de Bouquetot, covered 158 mares in his first season as a stallion.

Le Havre made it three top-level winners this year when Suedois landed the Shadwell Turf Mile, and he served a book of 155 mares at Haras de la Cauviniere, since rebranded as Montfort et Preaux.

Jour de Galop compiled statistics that illustrate how the upper echelons of the French stallion ranks have strengthened over the last decade.

In 2008 no stallion based in the country covered as many as 150 mares and only 17 received 100 or more, while a year later those figures were zero again and ten; but this year the above named six horses covered at least 150 and 29 brought up the century.

>>Soldier Hollow was the most active sire in Germany in 2017, the sire of Group 1 winner and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe sixth Dschingis Secret having covered 111 mares at Gestut Auenquelle.

BUSIEST SIRES IN FRANCE IN 2017

Dabirsim
Sire Hat Trick
Stands Haras de Grandcamp
Mares 198

Siyouni
Sire Pivotal
Stands Haras de Bonneval
Mares 191

Coastal Path
Sire Halling
Stands Haras de Cercy
Mares 165

Olympic Glory
Sire Choisir
Stands Haras de Bouquetot
Mares 160

Shalaa
Sire Invincible Spirit
Stands Haras de Bouquetot
Mares 158

Le Havre
Sire Noverre
Stands Montfort et Preaux
Mares 155

Intello
Sire Galileo
Stands Haras du Quesnay (moves to Cheveley Park Stud for 2018)
Mares 147

Spanish Moon
Sire El Prado
Stands Haras du Thenney
Mares 145

Rajsaman
Sire Linamix
Stands Montfort et Preaux
Mares 144

Myboycharlie
Sire Danetime
Stands Haras de Mezeray
Mares 143

Kendargent
Sire Kendor
Stands Haras de Colleville
Mares 132