Desert Blanc wins in France after season at stud

Grade 1 winner Desert Blanc was successful in his return to racing after a season at stud earlier this year, winning a weight-for-age race in France on Monday.

The 5-year-old son of Desert Style covered just three mares during the 2013 breeding season according to a report in Racing Post, prompting a return to the track He began his stallion career at Haras du Hoguenet in Lessard-et-le-Chêne for an advertised fee of $4,630 (3,500 Euros).

Desert Blanc won the about seven-furlong turf race by a length on Monday at Compiegne, his first start back since winning the Grade 1 Manhattan Handicap last June. His current connections are owner Maxime Jarlan and trainer Christian Baillet.

“We'll look at another small race for him in August and then maybe after that a Listed or a Group race,” Baillet said. "He still has the option of going back to stud but we'll see if we can win an interesting race with him in the meantime."

Bred in Great Britain by Haras du Mezeray, Desert Blanc began his racing career in France, winning his first three starts, including the Prix de Tourgeville at Deauville. He then finished third in the Group 3 Prix du Prince d’Orange.

Following his successful sophomore campaign, Desert Blanc was sold to an American partnership and sent to the barn of trainer Chad Brown for the 2012 racing season. He only raced twice in the U.S., finishing second in the Grade 3 Fort Marcy and winning the Manhattan, before a tendon injury prompted his retirement. Once retired, he was purchased by Jarlan and sent back to France, with the intent of standing him at stud.