Z France approves 18 new stallions - European blood integrally introduced in France
Remarkably few Belgian people were at the eighth stallion inspection of Z France in Deauville, quite understandably though. This time, business and pleasure did not go hand in hand during the Valentine weekend, with a curfew starting at 18.00 hrs and a complete lockdown of the entire catering industry. The French didn’t let it get to them and presented around 70 stallions. The Jury, consisting of Eric Levallois, Heinz Meyer and Gilles Botton, gave the green light to sixteen young sires with predominantly European blood in their veins. It was Zangersheide that initiated this change, the presenters conveyed: ‘This is the eighth stallion inspection? These days everyone swears by the best genes and those are chiefly found abroad.’ That’s how a new generation of French breeders came into existence, who can effortlessly compete with their foreign colleagues. This became clear when the second stallion was presented and approved: Can I GHP Z, a son by Columbus Z out of a Dutch dam by VDL Corland. Another example of European crossbreeding is C Nobel Z, who is a Cornet Obolensky son out of a Quick Star dam. Instar from the famous French ‘haras’ Des Forets also took the fancy. Instar has Balou du Rouet as his sire and his dam is Big Star des Forest. She is competed in the sport by Penelope Leprevost and is a cross between Untouchable Z - Voltaire. Big Star des Forets and VDL Zirocco Blue by the way, have the same dam. It’s obvious that the French Z breeders are on the same page as their European colleagues. Thanks to the many opportunities offered by Zangersheide, as the breeders proclaim: ‘the numerous auctions, from embryos via foals to Breeders’ Auctions allow us to invest in the best blood, which is much in demand in France nowadays. Azuro de Laubry Z is one such example: a stallion by Aktion Pur Z out of Wabelle de Muze (Nabab de Reve), the full sister of London, and at the Z Quality Auction sold to Ecurie De Montchevreuil for € 42,000. Approved and an asset for French breeding.
As at every stallion inspection, trading also took place in Deauville. Although some won’t sell at any price because they believe in their stallion’s future in the sport and breeding. For example Cornado Fontanel Z (Cornado II Z - Untouchable M). He clearly stood out, much to the satisfaction of his owner Herica Ravel who also owns the coloured stallion Ulyss Morinda, who we know as Rik Hemeryck’s mount. Cornado Fontanel Z too will give a boost to his stables a few years from now. Chocotoff DG Z is a stallion with an interesting breeding background, having Comilfo Plus Z as his dad and a Carthino Z dam who stems from the line of the famous Audi’s Alpapillon Armanie who won European Gold with Vincent Voorn. The combination Emerald - Heartbreaker yielded the approved stallion El Torito du Dieu D’Arras Z. Also catching on is the mix between French and German blood, as is the case with Dartagnan du Breil Z, by Dominator 2000 Z out of Califa LS. The European blood has unarguably been introduced to French breeding and that has resulted in a strong collection of new stallions.
