Crossword Genius

Breeding centre built at last in French south (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stud

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'breeding centre' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'built at last in french south' is the wordplay.
'at last' says to take the final letters.
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'french south' becomes 'sud' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
The final letter of 'built' is 't'.
't' going within 'sud' is 'STUD'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stud that I've seen before include "Male horse kept for breeding" , "associated with Press" , "Large-headed nail" , "Collar fastener - form of poker" , "Collar button or horse farm" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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