ENGLISH TEXTS
racing is constantly changing , having evolved dramatically since Nicolas started breeding in 1991 , and because over the course of a career , those who are curious always find better things to do than simply carry on as before .
Breeding grass Breeding is not just about putting as many of the best mares to the very best stallions as possible . That ’ s not bad , but it ’ s not enough . Breeding racehorses is an agricultural endeavour in which blood is the paint and the land the canvas , the structure . “ You have to grow grass before you grow horses ,” repeats Nicolas de Lageneste . “ The land at Saint-Voir is not as generous as that in the Nièvre or Saône-et-Loire , and it used to grow undesirable plants . It is sandy and light . We had to enrich it with minerals and trace elements . We started by draining all the meadows , and now we compost and spread ourselves , we harrow and we crush . The progress is noticeable , and it allows us to reduce supplements . The work is done upstream . The horses develop better bones naturally .” At the other end of the spectrum of equestrian activities , Nicolas has also developed his pre-training centre and now trains about fifteen horses in his own name . “ Originally , it was a question of getting the foals going at the end of their breeding stage before sending
them into training ,” he explains . “ We train about fifteen jumpers ourselves . It ’ s always more enjoyable , especially for the team , to see the horses we ride in the morning win for us . I ’ ve been wanting to do it for a long time , but it ’ s the most delicate part of my business because it ’ s the one that requires the most manpower , personnel management , and the one with the most regulatory , health and logistical constraints . The one that brings the most pleasure is still breeding , with the births and the day-to-day raising of the foals .” Nicolas de Lageneste also likes to send his horses to many different trainers , especially young professionals , for whom such genetics are sometimes difficult to access . “ Young people are more enthusiastic , they share more than more established trainers ,” explains Nicolas . “ We have regular exchanges with them , they ask for our opinion more , and they are more transparent . It ’ s a real difference , and I take great pleasure in giving them their chance when I can .” The vertical integration model implemented at Saint-Voir is a reminder that Nicolas de Lageneste is a true oneman band , since in addition to being a breeder and owner , he is also a pre-trainer , trainer , mentor , farmer and , until January 2024 , a director of France Galop . “ It was an experience I found fascinating ,” he says . “ We met in a good working atmosphere with very competent people . But it takes a lot of time , and in my position , here in the Allier , it was becoming difficult to manage . With Jacky Cyprès and Antonia Devin , among others , we were able to bring a professional perspective to the debate in relation to projects that otherwise required a broader vision . We worked to develop breeding , with premiums and races for fillies , and the promotion of our breeding programme . We didn ’ t have all the ins and outs , but the common sense linked to our day-to-day activity was able to , I think , make a useful contribution to the debates .”
Change of method This time-consuming voluntary activity did not prevent the stud from continuing to shine , as the number of horses in training remained stable , as did the number of victories , which flirts with 50 each year in France . On the other hand , earnings have been consistently above one and a half million since 2016 , with the “ De Bon Coeur years ”, and above two million since 2022 . “ This is probably due to the fact that I keep more of the horses I breed ,” explains Nicolas de Lageneste . “ When they go to Great Britain or Ireland , our horses sometimes disappear completely from the circuit for years . Not only is this frustrating , but it devalues our production . And then , of course , breeders are de-
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