'This industry never stops changing and that makes it very exciting' - Arqana's Mael Thibault in the Q&A hot seat

Mael Thibault is a recent appointment to the bloodstock team at Arqana, having spent time at Ecurie des Monceaux and the Irish National Stud, as well as Wakaito Stud in New Zealand plus Yarraman Park and Newgate Farm in Australia. 

Where did your passion for horses come from?

I grew up immersed in the racing world thanks to my family. Many of my family members have been involved in the industry and passionate about horses, and more specifically racehorses, for generations. Consequently, I started riding, watching racing and frequenting local racecourses at a very young age. I quickly fell in love with the sport and knew this was the direction I wanted to take professionally.

Who has been the biggest influence in your career?

Quite simply, it's my family, but particularly my parents, my uncle and my aunt. They've all played a very important role in shaping my career. My parents have always been there to guide me in my professional decisions and to remind me that going to school is important. 

My uncle, who was a trainer, taught me a lot about training racehorses; I'd ride his horses in the morning and sometimes go to the races with him in the afternoon. He also travelled a lot and worked for some of the biggest names in the industry around the world, so I gained a lot of knowledge from him. 

My aunt introduced me to the breeding side of things; my cousins and I would look after the mares and foals every day during our vacations at the family stud. Having the opportunity to learn at an early age from people with passion and experience was certainly a decisive factor in a career.

Tell us about your time at Newgate Farm and Yarraman Park – what were the highlights of working in Australia?

I loved being able to discover Australian sales and racing, everything is so different, the physique of the horses, pedigrees, atmosphere, the way yearlings are bred and prepared – it was like relearning everything from zero, or near enough, and I found it very interesting. The horses are real stars to them. 

The Pierro filly out of Winx selling at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for a record A$10 million

When the first offspring of champion Winx went into the ring and sold for A$10 million, it was like the whole country stopped to watch. I'm very lucky to have landed in places like Yarraman Park and Newgate Farm, where I was able to meet incredible people both personally and professionally.

What did you enjoy most about working at Ecurie des Monceaux and then the Irish National Stud? 

At Ecurie des Monceaux, what stood out to me was the level of professionalism and attention to detail, especially around sales prep. It’s one of the top stud farms in Europe, so the standards are incredibly high. I was lucky to be around people like Henri Bozo, who has such a sharp eye and a real sense of timing when it comes to preparing yearlings. I definitely learned a lot there and it’s always a special feeling to work with such good quality horses. 

Then at the Irish National Stud, I loved the versatility. One day you’re foaling, the next you’re handling stallions or learning about pedigrees in the classroom. It gave me a proper overview of how a full operation runs, and we were encouraged to ask questions and understand the ‘why’ behind what we were doing. Also, it was a great opportunity to make connections; I met a lot of people in those six months. Both places shaped the way I look at the industry now, in very different but complementary ways.

What does your new role at Arqana entail?

I work as part of the bloodstock team with a focus on both logistical and selection aspects of our main sales. This includes assisting in the preparation and execution of yearling inspections, and participating in the selection and cataloguing processes for the sales. I’m also involved in valuations of horses and tracking race performance of our graduates internationally. During sales themselves, I support client relations and I do bid spotting.

The French National Hunt industry has enjoyed many winners at Cheltenham in recent years – why do you think it has been so successful?

Goliath Du Berlais: exciting young sire is contributing to a dynamic French National Hunt industryCredit: Zuzanna LUPA

I think this is because of both structural and cultural strengths within the French system. Horses in France are introduced to racing at a much earlier stage of their lives as we have a great racing programme for young horses, not just geldings, but males and females too. Moreover, breeders and trainers work hand in hand with pre-trainers, who I believe are a key part of this successful system. This is complemented by a breeding industry that prioritises proven jumping bloodlines and maintains a rich diversity of pedigrees.

Do you prefer National Hunt or Flat racing?

I’ve always loved both but for different reasons. Flat racing offers an incredible international dimension and commercial and sportive dynamism; it’s fast-moving, global and driven by performance and pedigrees. But National Hunt has something about it that’s unique. It’s an impressive sport, you can follow horses over several seasons, and the connection with the public is very strong – the atmosphere at Auteuil the weekend before last was breathtaking. 

From a bloodstock perspective, they each bring different challenges, and I enjoy working across both.

Do you have a favourite horse, be it racehorse, stallion or broodmare?

I'm going to give an answer that I'm sure many other racing fans in France would also give and that's Zarkava. She was simply extraordinary and really made an impression on me when I was young.

Give us a horse or stallion to look out for . . .

I have to say Angel Bleu, who has his first foals this year, not only because I got to look after him when he was a yearling, but also because I think he's a type of stallion that was somewhat lacking in France. He's part of a good dynamic in French breeding, with several very interesting young stallion prospects, such as Puchkine, Charyn, Ace Impact and Erevann.

Angel Bleu: "He's a type of stallion that was somewhat lacking in France"Credit: Scott Burton

Where do you see yourself in ten years' time?

I hope to still be right at the heart of the bloodstock world, and ideally, still with Arqana. I’d love to keep growing within the team. I’d like to keep developing in areas like yearling selection, pedigrees, and helping clients make the right decisions, whether they’re breeders or buyers. The aim is to become someone people genuinely trust and enjoy working with. But, more than anything, I just want to keep learning. This industry never stops changing and that makes it very exciting to be part of.

What advice would you give young people interested in working in the bloodstock industry?

I’m still young myself and definitely not in a position to give big advice, but, from what I’ve seen so far, the most important thing is to get hands-on experience early. You learn by doing, and being around good horse people. It’s also a very relationship-driven industry, so showing up to the sales and the races, asking questions and being respectful goes a long way. There's no need to know everything right away, but being curious and committed makes a big difference. Studying pedigrees, watching sales and races, and travelling also help you improve.

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