Haras des Granges: the 1st foals "Fr" by Chineur, Diamond Green ...and Sam the mule

It is not easy to get over Marathon's episode. This gorgeous horse, well bred and so good, was so disappointing at stud, following a huge enthusiasm at first. Stallion man since he took over the family's estate, Haras des Granges at Touget in Gers, Mathieu, 4th Daguzan-Garros to run the property spread on over 245 acres, was ready at the end of 2009 to give up the big boys sometimes too snooty, and focus on a breeder-saler activity (€280,000 for a brother to Shamalgan in August 2010 in Deauville) and board horses on a break from Pau's trainers. 

Chineur, the horse who relaunched Mathieu Daguzan-Garros' career as a stallion man

Then, following the December sales in Newmarket, he quivered with King's Apostle, who ended his racing career after his victory in the Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr.1). But he was by King's Best, who despite his talent was completely burned out across the Channel, and had a terrible name to pronounce in french, particularly with the south-west accent. 

A one week old filly, by Chineur ex Zigalixa, dam of Yes Mate and Etretat

 
At the same time, the name of Chineur gets into his ear. Straight away, Mathieu shivers. Very famous racehorse, precocious, an excellent sprinter who only ran in black-type races as a juvenile, winner of a Gr.2 at 2 over 5f at Royal Ascot beating the english opponents, defending the very popular silks of Marquesa de Moratalla, the ex-pupil of Mikel Delzangles produced a lot of winners with his first 2yo generation. Among them, Silver Grey (2nd Prix Thomas Bryon, Gr.3) and Roi de Vitesse (2nd Meydan Stakes, Gr.2). Well, in other words, he did the job for Haras des Granges itself and for the south-west breeders in general, fast horses lovers, who enjoy precocity and toughness at the same time.

A filly by Chineur ex Massaba, a niece to Miss Satamixa (1st Gr.1)

He was not in a great shape when he arrived from Ireland. But since, he did really well with the sunshine...and grass. Indeed, the Gers region is particularly green at the moment while the rest of the country is as dry as a roast potatoe. The world is gone crazy, while in the north we are scared to pay €200 for a tonne of hay, in the south-west we are wondering if we will do 2 or 3 cuts of grass...

A colt by Chineur ex Flutixoa, dam of Lady Morgane and grand dam of Lessing

In spring 2010, and not surprisingly, Chineur attracted a lot of breeders, and covered 74 mares. His first french foals were born this year. They will not of course be all gorgeous, but from seing some at Granges and at few other studs, we can say that Chineur gives bones, scope and power. Strong rear hands reflect ability to sprints. Foals are certainly more stylish and elegant than their sire, proud son physically of Fasliyev.

A colt by Chineur ex Mindset, sister to Lotharios

Motivated after such a great success with his new stallion, Mathieu Daguzan-Garros did not only shake or flinch but litterally jumped off his seat when he heard that it might be possible to get Diamond Green from Ireland. The son of Green Desert, Group winner, placed few times in Gr.1 company despite being ridden by Gary Stevens, highly estimated by André Fabre, is a beautiful horse purely bred by Jean-Luc Lagardère, who he raced for. However, Lagardère is from the Gascogne region, and more there than anywhere else, people are very attached to his memory. Before the world financial crisis at the end of August 2008, which hit England and Ireland badly, it was nearly impossible to think of recruiting such a horse, as Ireland was getting the best of equine quality following huge investments. But the world has changed, and it is very clever to stay in the way, and get precious babies. 

At Karine Belluteau's farm at Gemozac in Charente-Maritime, a colt by Chineur ex Polissa, sister to Sabasha (1st Listed)

At the end of April, Diamond Green, a gorgeous brown horse, already covered more than 50 mares. At the pick of the breeding season, he covers mares after mares and lost a bit of his freshness and few pounds...

Diamond Green stands at Haras des Granges for his first season in France

Mathieu Daguzan-Garros has a 3rd stallion in the stable next door. Not Rashbag, who went to Mayenne at Haras du Grand Chesnaie like Lesotho did in the past. Majestic and taciturn : it is Sam the mule ! Last year, Mathieu Daguzan-Garros was looking after him for few days for his vet who refused to put him down when just born in an equestrian center and put him in her car... Since then, Sam is the boss' favorite.

Sam the mule gets special attention from the boss