After rumours circulated earlier this year, it’s been confirmed that the vice president of the United Arab Emirates and Man City owner Sheikh Mansour has bought two leading stud farms in France – as he readies an assault of the European horse racing world.
Sheikh Mansour Buys Haras De Fresnay Le Buffard Farm In Normandy
There have been a number of well-known Sheikhs in the horse racing world over the years – with the most famous being Sheikh Mohammed, the Prime Minister of the UAE, having his famous blue Godolphin colours in many winners’ enclosures around the world.
However, as the new flat horse racing season looms for 2025 there will be another wealthy Shiekh in town as Man City owner Shiekh Mansour is getting ‘under starter’s orders’ in the ‘sport of kings’.
With many suggesting it’s the fact Mansour is married to the eldest daughter of Shiekh Mohammed that has pushed the Manchester City boss get into racing.
The City owner, who is reported to be worth an estimated £17bn, has splashed the cash to buy one of the most historic horse racing stud farms in Europe – the Haras De Fresnay Le Buffard in Normandy, France – for a reported €28m
These farms were previously owned by the Niarchos family, who had top class horses with many leading yards around Europe, including the recently retired Sir Michael Stoute in Newmarket. With the property being on the market since February 2023.
The Niarchos family had owned the Haras De Fresnay Le Buffard since 1979 and from that based produced 45 European Classic winners, of which seven came in the most valuable middle distance flat race in Europe – the Prix de ‘lArc de Triomphe.
While they also hit the big time on the world horse racing stage with seven Breeders’ Cup winners over the years.
Haras De Fresnay Le Buffard Boasts A 600-Acre Property
The newly acquired Haras De Fresnay Le Buffard will give Shiekh Mansour’s new horse racing operation a 600-acre venue, that also has a 16-room chateau.
In addition, there are also two large secondary residences a training track and room for 200 horses, plus many state-of-the-art equine facilities that include a foaling barn and a breeding shed.
Mathieu Legars, who is a former Coolmore representative in France, will take over as the stud’s direction from Saturday March 1st.
While it was Chantilly Bloodstock’s Gerard Larrieu who was appointed to oversee Sheikh Mansour’s breeding and racing interests in May 2024.
Mansour No Stranger To Horse Racing With Wathba Stallion Arabian Racing Operation
Shiekh Mansour isn’t a newbie to the world of horse racing either as his Wathba Stallions breeding operation are one of the leaders in purebred Arabian racing.
The outfit has up to 900 horses that include broodmares, retirees, breeding stallions and, of course, horses in training under the Yas Horse Racing Management umbrella.
What Colours Will The Sheikh Mansour Horses Run In?
The Shiekh Mansour horse racing silks (Yas Horse Racing Management) registered are green and red checks, with white sleeves (see below).
It’s not known at this stage which trainers Shiekh Mansour will employ to look after his horses.
