Founded in 1981 by Anne and Baudouin de la Motte Saint-Pierre, the Haras du Play is located in the centre of the Orne region, 8km from Alençon. The 95 south-facing hectares of the Pley stretch alongside the vast Forest of Ecouves.

The objective of the stud is to produce durable horses, which are precocious as youngsters but can race regularly and for many seasons. To achieve this aim, the breeders rely upon the iron-rich water from the forest and the sunny climate which helps bone growth.

Although it is not speciality of the stud, horses from the Pley enjoy great success over jumps, notably the champion Niaroff, the excellent Indian River, Brillador, Gerfaut or Cache Fleur, winner of the Whitbread Gold Cup in England, Overlord and Araldur.

Cache Fleur is marked by a special characeristic of the Pley. He is a son of talented racemare Blanche Fleur who was officially white like her sire, NAtional Stud stallion Mont Blanc. Blanche Fleur continues to ensure a descendence of spectacular white offspring. The Motte Saint-Pierre family have kept the only daughter of Blanche Fleur, Fleur de Mad, and she has produced not only youngsters whose colour attracts the eye at the sales, but also show ability. Today Pasquini Fleur, a son of Blanche Fleur and the light-grey Dom PAsquini, stands as a stallion at the Haras du Lys.

On the flat, the Haras du Pley also raises tough racehorses such as Petit Versailles (17 wins in 116 races), and the well-known Round Stone, Le Conquet and Group performer Joursansvault.

The stallion offers the services of 3 stallions, the young Bedawin (newly arrived from the Lonray) and Machiavellian Tsar, and proven sire Le Triton ho is renowned for his tough progeny.


95 hectares
Board
Sales preparation
Best produce : Niaroff, Cache Fleur, Brillador, Indian River, Gerfaut, Petit Versailles, Le Conquet, Round Stone, La Plage, Joursansvault, Overlord, Araldur

A robust, precocious and durable competitor from the school of major handicaps, including that of Deauville, he culminated his career by beating Okawango in the Gr 3 Prix Edmond Blanc.
 

After his initial burst onto the scene, achieved by Hélios Quercus, this powerful sprinter has confirmed his breeding talents. He has produced black-type performers in 2008 and 2009.

A classic flat and jumping pedigree. Son of top sire Machiavellian, from one of the best Niarchos families, he is also brother to a Gr 1 winner at Cheltenham.