Our dear πππππ πππ, uterine brother of ZIROCCO BLUE was approaching his twenties and enjoying his good life as a breeding stallion in Burgundy, but succumbed to a new inguinal hernia. Our team and those of IFCE (French Institute for Horses and Riding, former National Stud) are very saddened by the loss of this beloved stallion.
Bred by the PARIS family at the Β« des ForΓͺts Β» stud farm in Normandy, πππππ πππ was bought as a foal by the Frennch National Studs administration. His genetics couldn’t leave anybody indifferent : his dam LICORNE DES FORETS was a good perfmer herself, placed up to 1m50 GP’s. Bred this time to QUAPRICE, she has been mated with many stallion afterwards and has had outstanding success as a broodmare. Other than πππππ πππ and famous ZIROCCO BLUE VDL (aka Quamikase des Forets), she also produced the very promising ECLIPSE DES FORETS (CSI4* performer recently sold to Cian O’Connor) and BIG STAR DES FORETS (CSI 1m55 with Victor Bettendorf).
Highly noticed during the “Selle FranΓ§ais Days” event, πππππ πππ finished 3rd in the French 3 yo Stallion Championships, suggesting excellent potential for a sport career. Already victim of a first inguinal hernia at 4 yo requiring surgery, he recovered very well afterwards. He made his sport debut one year later at 5, ridden by his breeder. He pursued his sport career for several seasons with different riders, before joining the stables of Baptiste Bohren with whom he signs his best performances. With several placings in 1m45 GP’s, the pair took a particular pleasure in participating in Puissance classes, jumping over 2m fences on several occasions!
Alongside his sport career, the stallion pursued a successful breeding career with fresh and frozen semen for the French breeders. Some of his offspring have reached international spotlight, led by the excellent DIAZ DU THOT who already gathered nearly 250 000β¬ in prize money with Constant VAN PAESCHEN. But there are also CESAR DE BβNEVILLE, ECLAIR LANDE, MAESTRO DE BRANDEGEM, CASTOR DβHEMβ¦ all placed 1m45 and above.
We thank all our partner stations who have taken care of πππππ πππ since his retirement from sport, with a special thought for Ecuries des Lauriers for their excellent care and reactivity. France Etalons and IFCE remain in possession of a stock of frozen semen, enabling breeders to continue to use his excellent genetics. Don’t hesitate to contact our team for more info’s.
