"On behalf of the Quesnay team - welcome to the stud. There has never been a more interesting time to race or breed in France and we are at your disposition to help you to realise your dreams. By sending us your horses, you will reap the benefits of Europe's most advantageous breeders' and owners' premium system. The Quesnay boasts a tradition of success both on the racecourse and at stud and we never cease in our search for excellence. We are at your service and look forward to your visit, upon appointment."


HISTORY

Located in the heart of the Normandy countryside just a few kilometers from Deauville, the domaine was transformed into a stud in 1907 when it was acquired by W.K.Vanderbilt. On his death, the property was sold to the Macomber family. Abandoned before the war, the stud changed ownership once again in 1958 when Alec Head decided to diversify his activity towards breeding. Alec Head, whose name is synonymous with greatness as a jockey, then a trainer, restored the Haras du Quesnay to an excellent state, and three years later the first in a long line of champions was born: Le Fabuleux.

From then on, Alec Head undertook many trips abroad in a search for the best bloodlines to bring back to the Quesnay. In their quest for excellence, the Quesnay has always sought different and unique bloodlines for the constant improvement of their stock. Since 1958, the Haras du Quesnay has been home to numerous stallions, most of which have proved exceptional in France and throughout the world.



SERVICES


Board

The stud stretches over almost 260 hectares of high-quality pasture, among the best in France.

At the Haras du Quesnay we cater for the year-round care of both clients' and our own broodmares. The layout of the stud gives us 6 distinct zones: quarantine, stallion yard, two yearling annexes, a pre-training annexe and an annexe for mares with foals at foot. This makes the Quesnay an ideal site for thoroughbred breeding.

The Quesnay employs around 40 people year-round. The staff is managed by Vincent Rimaud, and most live on-site with their families, creating a special environment for the horses which lends itself to round-the-clock observation.

Our veterinarian Dr Rozenn Le Moan lives in the main yard and ensures that horses receive professional care whenever needed. In addition, the close proximity of Dr Chris Stockwell allows us to use the clinic for surgery.


Sales preparation

The Quesnay is proud to present top class yearlings belonging to the stud's clients for sale in England and France. Yearlings are not rushed to be ready too soon. They are walked in-hand and prepared by a specialist team whose aim is not only the sales ring, but also the racecourse. The meticulous attention to detail seen in the yearlings' preparation is echoed in an analysis of each youngster's pedigree. The analysis is designed to be studied in parallel to the catalogue in order to underline the level of inbreeding and previous successes from the same cross.


Stables

All our stables are brick-built and have high ceilings for good ventilation. For bedding, we use straw specially produced for the stud with no chemical treatment.

Feed

We feed the horses on black oats (specially harvested for the stud), hay (grown on the mountains and at the stud), barley, mash, carrots and mineral supplements.

Pre-training

We are able to break in our yearling on-site thanks to a team managed by Richard Touron. This unit has 40 stables and 7 furlong ViscoRide and grass tracks.

After daily exercise, yearlings relax in small paddocks to enable them to experience this transition period as naturally as possible.

We also use the training centre for two and three-year-olds, and sometimes for 4yo mares who remain in training after being covered.