The principal activity of Philippe Achard is farming his 170-strong herd of cattle on his 200-hectare farm on the granite land at the foot of the Morvan.

Without having grown up in the racing world, Philippe's passion for horses was born at an early age. A close friend of Thierry Cyprès, Achard finally acquired his first mare in 1986, Roxane II. The first offspring of an AQPS named La Salamandre, Roxane II (Sigani) was unplaced but was to become the older sister of Auteuil champion El Paso III, winner of the Prix La Haye Jousselin and Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.

Philippe Achard had exchanged Roxane II against her second offspring and the latter, Bresilien, won 3 races. Her first foal did even better. Acajou III was himself a star, firstly at Auteuil where he beat Al Capone II, then across the Channel where he won several Graded events. Later, several of Roxane II's produce were sold to England but Achard kept two fillies as broodmares. Winner of 4 races including an Auteuil hurdle, Flora d'Engilbert (Vidéo Rock) was difficult to get in foal. Barren for 6 years, she finally started breeding in 2006 with Sagga d'Engilbert.

Hera d'Engilbert (Luchiroverte) died during her first foaling and the filly foal by Gunboat Diplomacy, named Madhera d'Engilbert, has been preciously guarded as a broodmare.

At the same time, Achard has developped a second AQPS line from Diamantina Aulmes, a Cyborg sister to flat champion Exotic Aulmes, bred by Emmanuel Bodard. She has produced Idéal des Bouillottes, then Olmantina and Queenmantina, both winners, and Toutenoir.

Philippe Achard plans to recruit the 2 "S" d'Engilbert (see below) and the 2 daughters of Diamantina d'Aulmes to his broodmare band.


Private breeding operation
200 hectares
170 cattle
3 broodmares