Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard
Encyclopedia
Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard was a Thoroughbred
horse breeding
farm in Neuvy-au-Houlme
in the Orne
department in Lower Normandy purchased by Marcel Boussac
in 1919. Widely respected, Marcel Boussac was called "the greatest of French breeders" by John P. Sparkman, an editor with Thoroughbred Times. http://www.bluewatersales.com/consignments-ft-nov-06.shtml. Boussac's highly successful operation produced a number of racing champions through its numerous top foundation broodmares and world class sire
s.
Among the many top runners from Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard were Corrida, Djebel
, Pharis
, Ardan
, and Marsyas II
. For breeding purposes, Marcel Boussac purchased the United States Triple Crown
winner Whirlaway
and sold the mare
La Troienne to Edward R. Bradley's
Idle Hour Stock Farm
in Lexington, Kentucky
who became one of the most influential mares to be imported into the U.S. in the 20th century. He also bred raced, and ultimately sold Ambiorix
to Claiborne Farm
in Kentucky who became the Leading sire in North America
in 1961.
Following the German occupation of France
the Nazis seized some of the best racehorses in the country including those at Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard who were shipped to Germany
to be used for breeding at the German National Stud. Following the end of the War in 1945, some of theses horses were recovered and returned to stud
duty.
French Champion sires
bred at Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard were:
In the late 1970s, Marcel Boussac's business empire ran into severe financial difficulties that led to bankruptcy
. Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard was sold to Fresnay Agricole S.A. who owned it for only a short time before selling it to Stavros Niarchos
.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
horse breeding
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
farm in Neuvy-au-Houlme
Neuvy-au-Houlme
Neuvy-Au-Houlme is a commune in the Orne department in north-western France.Neuvy-Au-Houlme is home to the historic Thoroughbred horse breeding farm, Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard and the standardbred farm, Haras du Ribardon.-References:*...
in the Orne
Orne
Orne is a department in the northwest of France, named after the river Orne.- History :Orne is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution, on March 4, 1790. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Normandy and Perche.- Geography :Orne is in the region of...
department in Lower Normandy purchased by Marcel Boussac
Marcel Boussac
Marcel Boussac was a French entrepreneur best known for his ownership of the Maison Dior and one of the most successful thoroughbred race horse breeding farms in European history....
in 1919. Widely respected, Marcel Boussac was called "the greatest of French breeders" by John P. Sparkman, an editor with Thoroughbred Times. http://www.bluewatersales.com/consignments-ft-nov-06.shtml. Boussac's highly successful operation produced a number of racing champions through its numerous top foundation broodmares and world class sire
Sire
Sire may refer to:* Father, the counterpart of a dam, particularly in animal breeding. See also stallion* James W. Sire, author on worldviews* Sire Records, a record label* Sire Advertising, an advertising agency...
s.
Among the many top runners from Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard were Corrida, Djebel
Djebel
Djebel was a French Thoroughbred racehorse, who won 15 of 22 races during 1939-1942 and was later a leading sire.-Breeding:Djebel was sired by Tourbillon, a stallion owned by Marcel Boussac, who had won the French Derby and the Prix Lupin, and went on to become a notable sire. Toubillon's dam-sire...
, Pharis
Pharis
Pharis was a French Thoroughbred racehorse who is "considered one of the greatest French-bred runners of the century," according to Thoroughbred Heritage...
, Ardan
Ardan (horse)
Ardan was a French Thoroughbred racehorse. He was bred and owned by Marcel Boussac, the very prominent French horseman and owner of fashion house, House of Dior. He was sired by Boussac's stallion Pharis, a horse that Thoroughbred Heritage says is "considered one of the greatest French-bred...
, and Marsyas II
Marsyas II
Marsyas II was a French Thoroughbred racehorse foaled at Marcel Boussac's Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard in Neuvy-au-Houlme in Lower Normandy. Sired by two time Ascot Gold Cup winner Trimdon, he was out of the very important mare, Astronomie. A descendant of Galopin on his sire's side and U.K...
. For breeding purposes, Marcel Boussac purchased the United States Triple Crown
Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
winner Whirlaway
Whirlaway
Whirlaway was an American champion thoroughbred racehorse.The chestnut horse was sired by English Derby winner Blenheim II, out of the broodmare Dustwhirl. Whirlaway was bred at Calumet Farm in Lexington, Kentucky....
and sold the mare
Mare
Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...
La Troienne to Edward R. Bradley's
Edward R. Bradley
Colonel Edward Riley Bradley was an American steel mill laborer, gold miner, businessman and philanthropist. As well as a race track proprietor, he was the preeminent owner and breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses in the Southern United States during the first three decades of the 20th Century...
Idle Hour Stock Farm
Idle Hour Stock Farm
Idle Hour Stock Farm was a 400 acre thoroughbred horse breeding and training farm near Lexington, Kentucky, United States established in 1906 by Colonel Edward R...
in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
who became one of the most influential mares to be imported into the U.S. in the 20th century. He also bred raced, and ultimately sold Ambiorix
Ambiorix (horse)
Ambiorix was a French Champion Two-Year-Old Thoroughbred racehorse who became a leading sire.-Pedigree:...
to Claiborne Farm
Claiborne Farm
Claiborne Farm is a thoroughbred Horse breeding operation in near Paris, Kentucky. It was established in 1910, by Arthur B. Hancock, owner of Ellerslie Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia, and has been operated by members of his family ever since.-Owners:...
in Kentucky who became the Leading sire in North America
Leading sire in North America
The list below shows the leading sire of Thoroughbred racehorses in North America for each year since 1830. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won by the sire's progeny during the year...
in 1961.
Following the German occupation of France
German occupation of France in World War II
The Military Administration in France was an interim occupation authority established by Nazi Germany during World War II. It remained in existence from May 1940 to December 1944. As a result of the defeat of France and its Allies in the Battle of France, the French cabinet sought a cessation...
the Nazis seized some of the best racehorses in the country including those at Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard who were shipped to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to be used for breeding at the German National Stud. Following the end of the War in 1945, some of theses horses were recovered and returned to stud
Stud (animal)
A stud animal is a registered animal retained for breeding. The terms for the male of a given animal species usually imply that the animal is entire—that is, not castrated—and therefore capable of siring offspring...
duty.
French Champion sires
Leading sire in France
The list below shows the leading Thoroughbred sire of racehorses in France for each year since 1887. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won by the sire's progeny during the season .-----References:* -See also:*...
bred at Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard were:
- Astérus (1934)
- TourbillonTourbillon (horse)Tourbillon was an French Thoroughbred racehorse and Champion sire. He was bred and raced by one of France's most prominent horsemen, Marcel Boussac...
(1940, 1942, 1945) - PharisPharisPharis was a French Thoroughbred racehorse who is "considered one of the greatest French-bred runners of the century," according to Thoroughbred Heritage...
(1944) - Goya II (1947, 1948)
- DjebelDjebelDjebel was a French Thoroughbred racehorse, who won 15 of 22 races during 1939-1942 and was later a leading sire.-Breeding:Djebel was sired by Tourbillon, a stallion owned by Marcel Boussac, who had won the French Derby and the Prix Lupin, and went on to become a notable sire. Toubillon's dam-sire...
(1949, 1956)
In the late 1970s, Marcel Boussac's business empire ran into severe financial difficulties that led to bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
. Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard was sold to Fresnay Agricole S.A. who owned it for only a short time before selling it to Stavros Niarchos
Stavros Niarchos
Stavros Spyros Niarchos was a Greek shipping tycoon, sometimes known as "The Golden Greek." In 1952, Stavros Niarchos built the first supertankers capable of transporting large quantities of oil, and subsequently earned millions of dollars as global demand for his ships increased.- Early life :He...
.