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Prix Jean Prat winner Puchkine retired to Haras de Beaumont
This year's Group 1 Prix Jean Prat winner Puchkine has been retired and will take up stud duty at Haras de Beaumont for 2025.
The son of Starspangledbanner was trained by Jean-Claude Rouget to win all three of his starts at two and then strike on his seasonal return this year. He claimed his first piece of black type when second in the Listed Prix Aymeri de Mauleon at Toulouse in April.
Having finished ninth in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, the colt went on to place fourth to subsequent Prix Maurice de Gheest winner, the unbeaten Lazzat, in the Group 3 Prix Paul de Moussac.
His day in the sun followed when landing the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville in July by two and a half lengths from Havana Cigar, the field also including Beauvatier, Kathmandu, Kikkuli, Vespertilio and Devil's Point.
The colt is the fourth foal out of the unraced So You Think mare Vadyska, a half-sister to German Listed winner Romina Power. It is the further family of Group 1 Fillies' Mile and May Hill Stakes winner Lyric Of Light, and he is descended from one of Meon Valley Stud's foundation mares; Reprocolor.
Puchkine is a half-brother to Slevka, who was third in the Listed Prix Amandine.
Haras de Beaumont's manager Mathieu Alex said: "Puchkine is a magnificent-looking horse with an excellent way of moving. He won the Prix Jean Prat over seven furlongs, just 0.20 seconds off the race record held by exciting leading young sire Too Darn Hot.
"Undefeated at two, he won his first three races, including an impressive five-length victory on his debut in June. By the remarkable Starspangledbanner, sire of three Group 1 winners in 2024, Puchkine will be strongly supported by his current owners Messrs Alain Jathiere and Gerard Augustin-Normand, along with the Haras de Beaumont, which is always crucial to a stallion's success.
"Puchkine will start at fee of €8,500 and will be syndicated shortly. Everyone is very welcome to visit Puchkine at Haras de Beaumont, located ten minutes from the Arqana sales."
Alex added: "We are also pleased to welcome Thibault de Seyssel to strengthen Haras de Beaumont's commercial team. A familiar face to many, Thibault has a strong international experience and will assist breeders with matings and visits to Haras de Beaumont."