Former restaurant manager Fernand Meckes never rode in races, despite having the right physique. He took out a training permit in 1992 and today devotes his time entirely to his horses. In parallel to his training under both codes, he has built up a breeding enterprise on 30 hectares of flat land between Strasbourg and Haguenau.

Fernand Meckes bought his first mare from a claimer in 1992. Auteuil winner Nina du Fjord (Script Ohio) went on to win over fences at Strasbourg. In the paddocks, Nina du Fjord produced no less than 6 winners from 7 offspring, including Crysta du Moulin (Northern Crystal), now a broodmare.

Bought soon after, Madame Danse (Groom Dancer) offered Fernand Meckes his first winner as a breeder when her first offspring Zayani du Moulin (Zayani) won at Vittel in July 1998. She later produced three further winners.

Today, he has a band of 7 broodmares. Fernand Meckes wisely purchased Golden Meadow (Neshad) in 2008. The sister of this dual German Listed winner is Gaudera (Big Shuffle), dam of Grandcamp who lifted the 2009 edition of the Gr2 Prix Noailles.

After years of travelling to and fro to Western France and Normandy to send his mares to stallions, Fernand Mecke acquired his own two sires, by leading German sires. The 16.3hh Adieu, by Dashing Blade, was recruited in 2004. Winner of 4 Listed events over a mile, he suffered a serious foot injury caused by a drain cover when preparing for the Derby. After being nursed back to health in Germany, his first crop are 4yo in 2009. Fernand Mecke has already enjoyed success on the flat and over jumps with his progeny: Je Suis du Moulin, a son of Nina du Fjord, and Rivière du Moulin and Goodbye du Moulin, both out of Madame Danse.

In 2006, Fernand Meckes opted for speed and precocity with the purchase of his second stallion, Arc Royal, a Gr3 winner by sprinter Big Shuffle.

Fernand Mecke is able to keep outside mares at stud while they are in season.

A son of leading German sire Dashing Blade, this four-time Listed winner has an impressive build. He has already produced winners in E France from two crops of limited number.

A son worthy of his leading German sire Big Shuffle. The brother of sprinter Arc de Triomphe combined precocity and resistance for Group places up to the age of 7. His first 2yo have won in E France.