NINETEEN years ago, the Edmund Loder-bred Germance, a daughter of Silver Hawk (Roberto), was runner-up in the Group 1 Prix de Diane-French Oaks, having landed the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary. She had been purchased by Horse France at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $200,000. She came from a prominent female line, and much would have been expected of her at stud. Until now, her record at stud could best be described as disappointing.

She did not lack for quality when it came to the stallions she visited, but from her first six winners, only one managed to earn any blacktype. That was Garance (Teofilo), a dual winner who placed in three stakes races in France, but even the great Jean-Claude Rouget and some of France’s top riders could not get her nose in front where it would have made a big difference.