ENGLISH TEXTS
� PAGE 58
By Mégane Martins
“ P “, A FOUNDING FAMILY OF ONE OF THE CENTRAL PLAYERS ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
Rencontre avec Henri Bozo pour pousser l ’ exploration des problématiques de l ’ élevage , des courants de sang et des familles fondatrices . Au cours d ’ une interview , il dévoile l ’ histoire des “ P “, famille fondatrice de l ’ Écurie des Monceaux , et nous livre sa stratégie d ’ élevage .
Galorama : The family of Prudenzia has had a significant impact on your breeding program . Could you introduce us to this lineage ? Henri Bozo : The “ P “ family is crucial to the history and future of Écurie des Monceaux . Platonic was one of the first purchases when I arrived at the stud farm , which at the time had no mares yet . Écurie des Monceaux was newly established . Back then , we collaborated extensively with Lady O ’ Reilly , and Patricia Boutin helped us select the mares . Platonic ’ s pedigree featured classic bloodlines with performers over distances of 2,000 to 2,400 meters , including names like Zafonic , Mr . Prospector , Shirley Heights , and Darshaan . Physically , she had great qualities — not a big model , not overly powerful , but very refined and close to her bloodlines . We purchased her without knowing she would become the stud ’ s founding family . She was in foal to Dansili and produced a filly we named Prudenzia . We kept her as part of the partnership to build our genetic heritage . She was sent to trainer Pascal Bary and won the Prix de la Seine ( Listed ). She was a magnificent filly and became an exceptional broodmare . She truly allowed Monceaux to establish itself on the map because , at the beginning , no one knew us . Her success enabled us to invest , diversify , and develop the stud . We ’ ve retained many females from Platonic ’ s lineage , as this type of family is highly sought after . The other emblematic family of the stud is that of Starlet ’ s Sister , who unfortunately passed away last year due to colic , leaving us with just one filly : Snowpark . She is in foal to Siyouni for the first time and will be sent to Wootton Bassett this year . The other females from this family all belong to Peter Brant .
Galorama : What are the bloodlines of this family ? HB : It ’ s a very versatile family for crossing . Platonic is by Zafonic , out of a Darshaan mare . These families cross very well with the bloodlines of Dubawi and Galileo . This has been the main success of the stud — combining these two male lines . A good example is Night of Thunder , whom we ’ ve used extensively in recent years .
Galorama : What is your strategy for renewing your broodmare band ? HB : I believe it ’ s essential to be proactive in breeding , regardless of the scale or value of the operation . It ’ s important to reassess each year . Annually , we sell five or six broodmares that haven ’ t met our standards and purchase an equivalent number . Increasingly , we ’ re focusing on buying yearling fillies , as I believe this is the best way to develop a top-tier broodmare band . Today , buying a high-quality broodmare with a strong pedigree , excellent performance , and good conformation is nearly impossible . These mares are reserved for two or three buyers globally who compete fiercely . Moreover , there are very few such mares on the market , unlike yearling fillies , as most breeders sell their foals . This allows for greater selection , but you must be willing to retain them , even when they turn out to be exceptional !
Galorama : How do you select stallions for your broodmares and alternate between proven and young sires ? HB : I prioritize using proven stallions — that ’ s the foundation . However , we regularly use young stallions as well . The logic is to use proven stallions with young mares to save time , while older mares can go to new stallions — either first-season sires who performed at a high level and have a pedigree we like or sires showing early potential , like Hello Youmzain , who has proven his quality as a sire with his first crops . I also avoid pairing an older stallion with an older mare . Older mares are more likely to go to younger stallions .
Galorama : You recently made some acquisitions at sales . What were you looking for in these pedigrees ? HB : I primarily look for quality — pedigree , performance , and conformation . I ’ m very attached to pedigrees because I firmly believe great horses often come from strong lines . I prefer pedigrees that feature solid , multi-generational families , not just one performer . This year , I purchased five mares : In the U . S ., I acquired Elounda Queen , winner of the Prix de Lieurey ( Gr . 3 ), beating some very good horses . I admire her solid pedigree . She ’ s by Australia , a potentially excellent broodmare sire . She will visit the American stallion Not This Time , who is currently on the rise , before returning to France .
141