Haras de Bonneval
The Aga Khan Studs in France now cover over 1330 acres of finest Normandy pasture, 265 of which belong to the Haras de Bonneval, where the stallion station is located and visiting mares are boarded.
Zarak at Haras de Bonneval
Haras de Bonneval is modern in design, having been purposely-built in the 1970s. The unusual semi-circular shape of the main yard was chosen as an architectural design to ensure that every box for mares and foals would receive the maximum sun exposure. Bonneval lay dormant in the 1990’s before being re-opened by the Aga Khan under the management of Georges Rimaud, when the new administration offices for the Aga Khan’s French bloodstock activity were built on top of a hill overlooking the stud.
The fully equipped stallion unit currently houses Siyouni, Zarak, Vadeni and Erevann and was re-furbished when Bonneval re-opened in 2000, in order to accommodate high class stallions and welcome visiting mares in the best possible conditions.
Haras de Saint-Crespin
Haras de Saint-Crespin is the original Aga Khan stud and is used as a private facility for Aga Khan mares.
Haras de Saint-Crespin
It neighbours the Haras de Bonneval and is set on approximately 340 acres (140 hectares) of rolling Normandy landscape. Despite such a tranquil rural setting, there is a veterinary clinic complete with surgery just five minutes away.
As well as the traditional Norman architecture of timber panelled buildings, another major aesthetic feature of Saint-Crespin is the white fencing surrounding each field. The criss cross pattern of these fences offers spectacular views across the Auge valley. Recently, a new foaling unit and a 20 box barn have been built.
All development works at Bonneval and Saint-Crespin have been undertaken with due regard for their rustic setting in the Pays d’Auge, preserving where possible the architectural heritage of the area.
Haras d'Ouilly and de Tupot
The Aga Khan’s existing French studs were enhanced in 2005 by the acquisition of the late Jean-Luc Lagardère’s studs.
Haras d'Ouilly
The 520 acres (210 hectares) of the Haras d’Ouilly are used to raise the yearlings. The high quality of the land gives the youngstock the best chances to grow and develop into competitive racehorses.
The excellent pre-training facility of the Haras de Tupot is located a few minutes away from Ouilly, on 210 acres (85 hectares) of land. Yearlings are walked in hand, broken, and lightly ridden away on a one-mile all-weather track. Horses that require rest and a spell of recuperation from the French training centres also come to Tupot. The pre-training centre also admits a limited number of visiting horses on request.