Haras des Marais - Race record     Gray Steel wins the Prix Amadou (Gr.2). Picture by APRH

This is a story of passion...

Created by Isabelle & Nicolas Simon, Haras des Marais has been breeding thoroughbreds since 1999.

Located 20 miles from Le Mans, 45 minutes from Alençon, one and a half hours from Longchamp and Auteuil, Haras des Marais can boast the birth of 9 winners since 2004.

Hard worked coupled with ambition! And the skill to purchase Folklorique, the future dam of Gray Steel!

If Mister Nikos, Miss Laos and Négresse de Cuta were the pioneers, Gray Steel's arrival at Auteuil will remain as the first big event for Haras des Marais.

Flash-back! Spring 2006! The Tidal Fury has calmed down. This sudden ebbing of the 2005 3yo champion leads the way to the best 4yo hurdler throne. On the 7th of May, at Auteuil, for the Prix Amadou (Gr.2), racing aficiandos had the great privilege of watching a horse breaking his maiden directly in a Group race. His name? Gray Steel!
After choosing not to race in the Grande Course de Haies d'Eté des 4 Ans (won by Lina Drop), Gray Steel confirms his status in his return in September, by claiming a second Group race, the Prix de Maisons-Laffitte (Gr.3).

The most gorgeous grey horse having cantered on the Auteuil grass since Great Love, Gray Steel, overheated metal, shows a royal attitude. Full of energy over jumps, he must be closely watched...

 

"Le 29 octobre à Auteuil, Gray Steel s'est imposé dans le Prix de Maisons-Laffitte sous les couleurs de Sir Robert Ogden au prix d'une arrivée pleine de suspense. Il avait été acquis pour la somme de 58 000 € lors de la vente d'Eté 2004 alors qu'il n'avait que deux ans par Bertrand Le Metayer Bloodstock pour le compte de Sir Robert Ogden. Il était alors présenté par le Haras des Marais".

"October 29 at Auteuil, Gray Steel won the Gr.3-Hurdle Prix de Maisons-Laffitte for Sir Robert Ogden after a thrilling finish. The 4yo son of Turgeon was purchased by Bertrand Le Metayer Bloodstock on behalf of Sir Robert Ogden at the 2004 Summer Sale. He was consigned by the Haras des Marais.
Sir Robert Ogden visited the Auteuil winner's enclosure twice on Sunday. Gray Steel was most impressive with a front running performance in the Gr.2 Prix Amadou. Bought as a 2-y-o for €58,000 at the 2004 Summer Sale, he provides his owner, who was present to congratulate the winner, with his most prestigious French victory to date."

 

Haras des Marais - Winners

GRAY STEEL (breeder : Haras des Marais) - Prix Amadou (Gr.2), de Maisons-Laffitte (Gr.3 - Picture by APRH), 2nd Prix Romantisme, 3rd Prix Pierre de Lassus (Gr.3) (06) at Auteuil, 4th Prix Cousin Pons (st.) (07) at Auteuil

DRESS BALL (breeders : Yancko Jovanovic & Miroslav Mitcho) - Prix Papillon (st. - 06) at Le Meslay-du-Maine

MISS LAOS (breeder : Paul Sallet) - Prix des Pensées (04) at Compiègne

NEGRESSE DE CUTA (breeder : M. Montout) - Prix Lombardière (hurdles) (04) at Rochefort-sur-Loir

MISTER NIKOS (breeder : Haras des Marais) - 2 wins in flat races, Prix La Lambardais (05) at Maure-de-Bretagne, de Curan (06) at Blain, placed 3 times ; 3 wins in jumping races, Prix Le Gourzy at Auteuil (04 - Picture by APRH), de Glasgow (h.) at Cagnes-sur-Mer (st. - 05), Penhoet (st. - 05) at Maure-de-Bretagne, placed 18 times (07)

SUNRISE NEVEES (breeder : Haras des Marais) - 1 win, placed 6 times out of 9 starts, Prix du Mauret (05) at La Teste - Picture by Polin

COLOUR OF DESTINY (breeder : Haras des Marais) - 1 win, placed 10 times, Prix de Chanteloup (05)

SWEET LOLLY (breeder : Haras des Marais) - Prix Rotonde du Lac - Picture by APRH

ZERO SUSPICION (breeder : Haras des Marais) - Prix d'Artagnan (06) at Vic Fezensac, Bachlick (07) at Marseille - Pictures by Polin

Born and bred at the stud, by Nikos ex Miss Whacky Davis

© A.P.R.H Auteuil 23rd Oct 2004 - Prix le Gounzy Mister Nikos (Sebastien Fleurie)

OGDEN EXPANDS HIS TEAM

"Turgeon was a sought after stallion, as demonstrated by Lot 22, a well-grown two-year-old colt consigned insuperb condition by Nicholas and Isabelle Simon’s Haras des Marais. He is a half-brother to Tropical de Cuta (Kadrou) who was placed fourth at Auteuil in Listed company. Once again it was Betrand Le Meteyer signing for Sir Robert Ogden, the hammer falling at €58,000." Download the original and full article here.

KALDOUNEVEES IN DEMAND

"Just a few moments later, Isabelle and Nicolas Simon of Haras des Marais, who brought up just the one yearling from their Le Mans stud, were delighted with the €24,000 they got for a particularly strong and wellgrown Kaldounevess filly (Lot 371). A first foal, she is quite a rarity, being out of a Sillery mare, who won twice. The third dam Vific won the Gr.1 Prix Robert Papin and has more than a double handful of Listed class or better runners under her name. Pau trainer Jean-Claude Rouget continued his shopping spree when signing the ticket."
Download the original and full article.