ENGLISH TEXTS
MAL : His best advice is to believe in yourself , trust your instincts , and stay honest . The quality is his dedication to hard work , while the flaw is typical of breeders : becoming too attached to the horses and being reluctant to let them go . There ’ s always the fear of making a mistake in selection-of letting the best horse or mare slip away .
G : How do you balance tradition and innovation ?
MAL : I work with the same principles as my father , while introducing new techniques , such as using magnets . I also brought in Camille Vercken ( Equiways ) to train us in biosecurity . The way we match our mares for breeding is evolving too , always in collaboration with my father .
G : What is your dream ?
MAL : To breed champions ! To win Gr . 1 races like we did with Bonito du Berlais . And to win the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris and the Prix La Haye Jousselin .
G : Do you have a favorite quote that guides you daily ?
MAL : Never let yourself slack off ; always stay disciplined . My grandfather also had a saying : “ Do and let do .”
G : What is your perspective on the breeding market and its key challenges for 2025 ? What role do young people play ?
MAL : The end of the year showed just how tough the market can be . But there have always been ups and downs . This reminds us that we need to aim for the very best . It ’ s challenging for smaller breeders to access top-tier genetics . It ’ s likely been easier for me because I ’ m the son of a breeder or Jean-Marc Lucas ’ s son , but I ’ ve always maintained good relationships with all generations . I ’ ve drawn inspiration from the stories of my elders . I don ’ t feel disconnected from the older generation . I ’ m fully aware that I ’ m continuing their work and didn ’ t start from scratch . But the bar is set high . It requires a lot of effort , but it ’ s possible to start with nothing . Many have proven this .
G : How do you address ecological challenges as a breeder ?
MAL : We must control our carbon footprint . In general , our profession is already aligned with this . We care for the land and avoid harmful products .
G : What initiative abroad particularly impressed you ?
MAL : After my army contract ended , I traveled to Australia . I got to attend Derby Day and the Melbourne Cup . It was an incredible experience .
G : What technological tools do you use daily ?
MAL : Easyfoal and Groomy are part of our daily operations , along with social media .
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PIERRE GASNIER
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“ CROSSING THE BEST WITH THE BEST TO ACHIEVE THE BEST ” Pierre Gasnier
Galorama . What is your view on the breeding and stallion markets , and their key challenges for 2025 ?
Pierre Gasnier . In general , breeding has taken a commercial direction . Over the years , breeders have professionalized in order to achieve a quick return on investment . As a result , " commercial " stallions , which are in fashion at sales rings , have gained in popularity . By " commercial ," I mean stallions that are trendy in the sales ring . The risk is that instead of crossing mares with the goal of producing winners in prestigious races , the aim becomes more about achieving good yearling sales , and sometimes stallions are judged too quickly . In France , as in Europe , it is important and vital for the long-term sustainability of breeding to foster genetic diversity and continuously strengthen our stallion pool . It is therefore not surprising that the stallions of His Highness the Aga Khan play a key role internationally , as they are the result of decades of careful breeding and bring in a variety of bloodlines . Our industry is also facing challenges in terms of attracting people to careers in breeding and training . It is crucial for the long-term viability of our industry to offer the best working conditions and ensure that everyone can thrive in this professional activity . Finally , animal welfare is also at the heart of our concerns . We make every effort to ensure the best living conditions for horses in both breeding and training . We are committed to providing the horses we have bred with a second career and a comfortable life after their racing days . In this regard , the work of Au-Delà des Pistes is exemplary and indispensable .
G . What is , in your opinion , the particularity of managing a breeding operation as large as that of the Aga Khan Studs ?
It ’ s about racing to breed ! This means utilizing every foal born each year in France and Ireland . His Highness the Aga Khan and Princess Zahra are among the few breeders / owners still active today . Every effort is made to ensure the successful breeding of top racehorses , thanks to highly skilled technical and administrative
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