Nurlan Bizakov merges Hesmonds Stud and Montfort & Preaux under Sumbe banner

Leading breeder Nurlan Bizakov, owner of Hesmonds Stud in East Sussex and Montfort & Preaux in Normandy, is to merge his two farms under the Sumbe banner.

Explaining the decision to unite the two studs under the one name, Bizakov said: “To understand this decision, you have to go back in time. I was born in Kazakhstan in the city of Sumbe. Nestling at the foot of the country's highest mountain, it’s a region famed for its agricultural produce and the quality of its horse breeding. I think that these ‘country’ roots – embedded in an environment where the horse was very present – naturally influenced my decision to breed racehorses.

“At Hesmonds Stud, I was initially able to rely on a very high-class team. Over a period of around ten years, and under the stewardship of stud manager Tony Fry, it became one of the most modern studs in Britain. Further down the line, but in Normandy, I had the opportunity to acquire Monfort & Preaux, a stud farm run by another man of repute, Mathieu Alex.

Nurlan Bizakov (left) with Nausha after the Musidora StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

“There is a very good rapport between my British and French teams and they work together. After this, I wanted to go one step further by grouping together all my racing interests under one name: Sumbe. I think it's important to ensure a coherent approach to my racing project, in the form of a single entity that unites two teams working in unison.

“It’s also, of course, a reference to my birthplace. There’s also no escaping that it’s a catchy name which is easy to remember. Finally, it has always brought me luck. Regarding the breeding of English thoroughbreds, you have to be patient and move forward. There are good days. Others aren’t so good. However, when you obtain success, all the difficulties are forgotten. We are in it for the long haul; I think that sums up Sumbe's underlying philosophy.”

Bizakov purchased Hesmonds Stud in 2010 and has enjoyed some notable successes from the famed nursery. He has bred the likes of Altyn Orda, winner of the Oh So Sharp Stakes, Musidora victress Nausha and Tomyris, who landed the Chartwell Fillies' Stakes.

Altyn Orda wins the Oh So Sharp StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

In 2019 Bizakov expanded his interests into France when he acquired Montfort & Preaux, home to leading sire Le Havre and the Queen’s Recorder. That pair have been joined by Commonwealth Cup hero Golden Horde for the 2021 season.

“Following my arrival in France, I was very warmly welcomed by the racing authorities and breeders alike,” said Bizakov. “Being a breeder myself, and an owner, I can relate to their expectation levels which are the same as my own. The purchase of Monfort & Preaux enabled me to turn my hand to the stallion division.

“The team is a very experienced one, and the success of the heavyweight stallion such as Le Havre has been well documented, whereas the promising Recorder has made a good start to his stud career.

“Regarding the 2021 breeding season, we will be standing a newcomer: Golden Horde. He was a very smart juvenile, before confirming that he had trained-on as a three-year-old when exposed to very high class opposition, and that is what I think that French and European breeders are looking for.

Golden Horde (right) storms to success in the Commonwealth CupCredit: Alan Crowhurst

“He was a very good sprinter and precocious at that. Bred in in the purple, he’s a magnificent horse and a very good mover. In the context of the French stallion division, a horse with Golden Horde’s profile can find his niche. Bearing the strong imprint of Pivotal – his dam’s sire – he’s a Group 1 winner who instantly proved a big hit with Tony, Mathieu and myself.

“We’re very sold on the idea of making the Commonwealth Cup winner available to breeders, in addition to supporting him with some very good mares. I would encourage everyone to either replay the videos of his races, or to see him in the flesh at stud as he’s a very impressive individual.

“His victories, of course, comprise the Richmond Stakes, a race which has previously yielded a very good young sire, Mehmas. As historical references go, the name Golden Horde refers to the great epic we associate with the Genghis Khan dynasty. It’s a reference that resonates with me!”

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