In June 2023 River Tiber appeared to have the world at his toes when justifying an nearly spiritual diploma of religion within the Coventry Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot, leaving the likes of Bucanero Fuerte and Haatem in his wake.
It was a victory that the gallops-whisperers at Ballydoyle had been predicting because the early spring.
Life doesn’t ever fairly go in a straight line relating to people or Thoroughbreds and a setback left Aidan O’Brien with a race towards time to get his star 2-year-old again in form for one of many main midsummer juvenile group 1s. The Phoenix Stakes (G1) got here and went and O’Brien was open to anybody who would pay attention when he warned that the son of Wootton Bassett was heading to the Prix Morny (G1) off a particularly rushed preparation. Within the circumstances, a close-up third to Vandeek and Ramatuelle indicated his huge expertise.
Fortune continued to cover when it got here to River Tiber and big-race targets, however O’Brien’s loss opened the door of alternative to a celebrated and bold group of breeders in Normandy, France, satisfied that what that they had seen at Ascot and Deauville meant he remained an thrilling stallion prospect.
Throughout final week’s Route des Etalons, River Tiber was on the receiving finish of a gentle stream of holiday makers at Haras de la Huderie, and those that made the detour to see him could have been impressed as he prepares to embark on his second season protecting on the farm. Join BloodHorse Day by day
Sebastien Desmontils of Chauvigny World Equine brokered the deal to deliver River Tiber to Normandy, and helped pull collectively a robust set of shareholders within the horse, all able to put their shoulder to the wheel in assist of their new acquisition.
“We have introduced collectively actually critical breeders like Guillaume Vitse (Normandie Breeding) and the Garcon household at Haras de la Hotellerie, in addition to Haras du Thenney, whereas I’ve constructed up my numbers of flat mares at dwelling from a small quantity to round 20, with listed and group winners amongst them,” Desmontils stated.
O’Brien was heat in his reward of River Tiber throughout a racing profession that additionally included a 3rd behind Vandeek within the Center Park Stakes (G1) earlier than being a late withdrawal from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T). He returned at 3 to be positioned within the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1).
If his interrupted profession meant River Tiber was “gettable,” there was loads of encouragement to safe the horse from a pedigree perspective.
“In fact if he had gained the Morny or the Breeders’ Cup, we might have by no means acquired him, but it surely was clear to all these across the horse that he had nice power and nice potential,” Desmontils stated.
“He is very ‘Wootton’ and he made 480,000 guineas as a yearling (at E book 1). He’s from a really quick and precocious household and he sells himself on his physique. Clearly we love him as a bodily however there have been individuals who do not know the horse after they come to see him have beloved the way in which he strikes.
“After that he wants to provide horses that may run, however given the assist he’s getting from high quality breeders, I am positive they are going to be purchased by the appropriate individuals and find yourself with the appropriate trainers.”
Since leaving Haras de Colleville in 2018 to discovered Normandie Breeding with spouse Camille, Vitse has proved himself adept at breeding 2-year-olds. He has made one thing of a specialty of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, with Go Athletico making the journey to Keeneland in 2020, whereas three years later Unquestionable , one other he co-bred, scored for O’Brien below Ryan Moore within the grade 1 at Santa Anita Park. Satirically, Moore was booked to associate River Tiber earlier than the colt’s defection simply eight hours earlier than submit time.
Additionally a son of Wootton Bassett, Unquestionable is now at Rathbarry Stud and standing for nearly twice River Tiber’s charge of €5,500 (US$6,519, €1=US$1.19), although Vitse can afford to smile about how their second careers turned out on that weekend in California.
“Our objective is not to generate profits right away, however to get him protecting loads of mares, make the breeders completely happy, and get individuals to come back and see him,” Vitse stated. “He is an outcross and a simple horse to mate, and so if he turns into a very good stallion, then we will take into consideration cash.
“When individuals come to see him they agree he is a super-looking horse and also you ask your self, ‘What are individuals in search of immediately?’ They need precocity and a fast return on their funding. Breeding a horse that might be good over 2,400 meters as a 4-year-old prices an excessive amount of for most individuals.
“They need a horse like River Tiber whose yearlings they’ll take to market and the British and Irish consumers know the horse.
“After I have a look at his articulation, the way in which he makes use of himself, I’ve full religion in him. His breeder, Ger Morrin of Pier Home Stud, instructed me that the entire household are all fantastic movers. So I’ve each expectation he’ll get good horses, and the foals we have seen already are very nice. I’ve seen a pair at Hotellerie and a few movies of foals at Sebastien’s place, everybody may be very completely happy. I discover it very thrilling.”
Vitse added: “I am completely satisfied by this horse so we’ll see what different individuals make of him. However he has so much going for him. Wootton Bassett has had two stallion sons to this point in Wooded and Almanzor, they usually each produced group 1 winners, although neither at 2.
“He has a unique profile and he is an easy horse to cross. The individuals who have supported him to this point consider in him and I do not suppose we’ll be proved improper.”
Berenger Bussy and the workforce at Haras de la Huderie are effectively used to dealing with stallions who’ve a profile boasting pace and precocity, although they’ve by no means stood a Royal Ascot juvenile winner.
Each Vitse and Desmontils have stated how a lot assist his dedicated shareholders will give River Tiber, who lined 134 mares in his first e-book, whereas their ambitions for the sire are appreciable.
Vitse stated: “We’ve introduced collectively a bunch of ultra-motivated individuals round this horse and we have now despatched him loads of good mares between us together with daughters of Galileo and Camelot, and we’ll assist him much more strongly in 2027.
“And we’ll put collectively some syndicates to assist him on the gross sales, possibly with a little bit of pinhooking, simply to maintain issues turning over.”
Desmontils added: “Our goal is to make him champion sire. Lengthy is the street however we’ll be doing our most and there usually are not many horses like him who’ve the backing of such a robust group of breeders.
“His value is one other issue. We have seen quite a few stallions come out of France in recent times who’ve begun at his stage and labored their means up the laborious means.”
Lengthy is the street certainly. However should you personal a stallion son of Wootton Bassett and you are ready to again him with high quality mares and invite individuals on board at a aggressive value, you by no means understand how far down it you may journey.
