Breeders needn’t always look to Europe to find top-quality stallions. There are plenty of super stallions in Britain right now, from youngsters in their first year or two of breeding, to better-known names and renowned superstars.
We take a look at some of the most interesting stallions in Britain at the moment, that all breeders should know about…
Sezuan’s Donnerhall (Seuzan x Siola)
Sired by treble world young horse champion Sezuan, Sezuan’s Donnerhall is standing in the UK for the first time in 2024. He began his career by excelling in his performance tests. He won his 14-day test in Neustadt-Dosse with an outstanding score of 9.34 and went on to win the 50-day performance testing, winning with a score of 9.19 in Schlieckau. His performance included a perfect score of 10 for canter and 9.5 for rideability, willingness to perform, and overall expression.
Age: nine
Studbook: Oldenburg
Stud fee: £1000 + VAT elitestallions.co.uk
Benbreac Of Croila (Ulleam Of Croila x Kyle Of Croila)
This stunning Highland stallion is a multi-garlanded champion of the show ring. He won championships at Royal Windsor for three consecutive years, and was best of breed at Olympia on three occasions. In 2018, he was crowned supreme pony champion at Royal International Horse Show; this is a stallion with a truly remarkable competition record.
Age: 17
Studbook: Highland Pony Society
Stud fee: £500; email melaniestanford@hotmail.com or view at stallionai.co.uk
Ducati (Desperados FRH x Sir Donnerhall I)
This young stallion is in his first year of breeding. Ducati was the champion stallion at the BHHS and WBS-UK licensing in 2022, and was described as “long-legged and compact with a strong back”. He carries the renowned bloodlines of the multi-medalled grand prix dressage stallion Desperados, as well as his dam, Feldgoldchanti, an elite mare herself who evented to three-star level. Ducati boasts more than 40% blood, making him an exciting prospect for eventing breeders as well as dressage.
Age: four
Studbook: Hanoverian
Stud fee: £850; email info@seanwhiteaesthetics.co.uk or view at stallionai.co.uk
Copain Du Perchet (Conteur x Ragazzo)
This superb showjumping stallion switched his attention from top-level sport to breeding in 2023. He has a string of international victories to his name, most notably under Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and more recently Britain’s Emily Moffitt. He comes from impeccable jumping lines, and although he has only bred lightly so far, his offspring to date have inherited his talent for the sport.
Age: 19
Studbook: CH (Swiss warmblood)
Stud fee: from £700 + VAT stallionai.co.uk
Future Hepsilon (Upsilon x Heraldik xx)
As the only licensed son of the record-breaking eventing stallion Upsilon standing in the UK, the powerful, athletic Hepsilon is sure to be busy in 2024. His dam, Heraldik Girl-W has already produced two international event horses and her sire, the legendary Heraldik, topped the WBFSH sire rankings for eventing for five consecutive years. Hepsilon’s offspring are proving to be highly in demand, with foals selling to top breeders and Olympic riders in 2022.
Age: seven
Studbook: Breeders Elite
Stud fee: £900+VAT LFG, frozen £700+VAT per dose; email info@FutureSportHorses.co.uk or view at stallionai.co.uk
Don Dante (Dancier x Salvano)
This grand prix stallion comes from superior bloodlines, being by the De Niro son Dancier. He has excelled in the competition arena under Owen Cooper, claiming the medium national title in 2014 and bagged several other regional titles as he has moved up the levels. He was successful in competing at international small tour, and has also now scored up to 73% at a national grand prix. His offspring inherit his expression and great temperament and have been graded as elite and higher first in the Futurity assessments.
Age: 17
Studbook: British Hanoverian
Stud fee: £750 strattonstud.co.uk
Golden Hawk (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Chin Chin)
This top-class jumping stallion is a prolific winner at international five-star level, counting grand prix wins under Shane Breen at Olympia, Liverpool Horse Show and Hickstead among his many accolades. His progeny take after him, with several already competing at 1.55m or above. It’s hardly surprising, though, that Golden Hawk and his offspring possess such talent – his sire is the Nabab De Reve son who was world champion in 2010, while Golden Hawk’s dam Ta Belle Van Sombeke competed at 1.60m level herself.
Age: 19
Studbook: Belgian Warmblood
Stud fee: £1,000 + VAT breenequestrian.com
Britannia’s Bijou (Littledale Bright Star x Mr Big Cat xx)
Out of Bella’s Britannia – one of four embryo transfer daughters of Lucinda Fredericks’ legendary eventing mare Headley Britannia – this 15hh stallion received gold premium status in the 2020 Futurity series. His sire is top pony stallion Littledale Bright Star, who was only 12.2hh but sired international progeny in all three Olympic disciplines.. Bijou made his eventing debut in 2022, with great success under Ellie Fredericks, including a third-place finish in his first BE100, and he continued to perform consistently at BE100 level in 2023.
Age: seven
Studbook: SHB(GB), SPSS
Stud fee: £500 + VAT; email marketing@lucindafredericks.com or view at Tomlinson Equine
Lord Gregory (George Clooney x Lord Leatherdale)
Bred and produced by Van Olst Horses, this uphill, powerful dressage stallion presents a great opportunity for British breeders. By the international dressage stallion George Clooney, and out of the Elite Prok mare Hortensia V (Lord Leatherdale x Negro), Lord Gregory looks to have bright future in sport as well as breeding. As well as talent, he also passes on his outstanding temperament and trainability.
Age: eight
Studbook: KWPN
Stud fee: £500; visit: www.stallionai.co.uk
Ansiei (Highest Honor x Dixieland Band)
A fully approved thoroughbred stallion who amassed winnings over £180,000 before retiring to stud in 2014. He has a super pedigree featuring two crosses of the influential Grey Sovereign line and could be a great option for adding blood into a breeding programme. His progeny are proving capable across the disciplines with Bonmahon Liberation eventing at three-star level in Ireland, and Ex Plas Pennant Demelza crowned supreme foal at the Sport Horse Breeding (GB) National Hunter Show in 2021.
Age: 17
Studbook: Weatherbys
Stud fee: £600 + VAT springfieldstud.com
Je T’Aime Flamenco (Flamenco De Semilly x Landetto)
This former international showjumper has continued to prove the strength in his bloodlines, having triumphed in no fewer than seven grands prix around the world, under Ireland’s Billy Twomey. As one of the most highly regarded stallions in Britain, he passes on his scope and careful jumping technique to his offspring, who include the eight-year-old J’Adore Flamenco, a winner of multiple titles as a young horse who later sold at Goresbridge for €130,000.
Age: 24
Studbook: Belgian Warmblood
Stud fee: £1,100 + VAT stallionai.co.uk
Comfort (Christian x Last Liberty)
This elegant, athletic stallion, by 1.60m showjumper Christian and from a proven damline, already has an international victory under his belt, winning a 1.25m age class on the Sunshine Tour in 2019. A two-year-old son of his also sold for €60,000 that same year. Comfort is now based in the UK, where he is currently jumping 1.30m, and training at 1.45/1.50m under Oliver Townend.
Age: 11
Studbook: Oldenburg
Stud fee: £850 + VAT cauntonmanorstud.com
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