Gemini Stud Insights Stallions | Breeding | Research InsightsMarch 2019 March 2019

Looking for the next generation of full sires for event horse and show horse breeding

Gemini Stud Bloodline Review Archives Series Stallions | Breeding | Research Bloodline Review Archives Series 1 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research JanuaryMarch 2019

High Kingdom by the TB stallion Master Imp at the London 2012 Olympics with Zara Phillips

Full Thoroughbred sires Whilst the dressage and show jumping for and showing phases in three- breeding day eventing are becoming increasingly In recent years the availability and more demanding, the the demand for marketing of full need for speed in the full Thoroughbred Thoroughbred sires cross-country phase is sires has increased has not kept pace with ever-present. in event and show the demand. horse breeding, but

Bloodline Review Archives Series 2 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

Advances in equine very best Thoroughbred sires of horseracing have peaked reproduction widens due to our dominance in the and troughed. sports of both National Hunt the offering and flat racing. It is no surprise Today, the racehorse industry Advances in equine at all that the focus from is experiencing a particularly reproductive technologies breeders across Europe turns challenging time with average mean that sires that are no to and Ireland for the sales values in decline. Some longer with us are still very next crop of Thoroughbred bloodstock experts believe much available via frozen sires for eventing and show that up to two thirds of all semen. Along with the use horse breeding. racehorses standing on the of frozen semen, cloning of ground today are worth less sires will mean that blood Changes in the than the cost of breeding lines are available for many global market values them. In contrast to this, the generations long after the very top third of the market are original foundation sire was of racehorses and achieving record sales values marketed. its impact on the and booming books of mares availability of suitable to stallions commanding the Unfortunately, the racing highest stud fees. industry does not support sires for event horse and breeding via Artificial showing breeding These significant changes in Insemination (AI), only This year marks the 70th year the value of breeding through natural of the has meant that fewer full coverings and so they have and the formal inception of Thoroughbred stallions are little motivation to retain three-day eventing in this being made available at semen on a frozen basis for country back in 1949. Since stud for sport horse breeding, future use. This means that three-day eventing started, i.e. producing horses for the most TB sires that we once the cycles in Thoroughbred various disciplines outside of had and treasured such as bloodstock values for the sport racing. The reason for this is Master Imp the Thoroughbred purely commercial, as stud stalwart of Irish eventing horse breeding are no longer available.

England and Ireland leaders in Thoroughbred breeding England and Ireland have always been considered global leaders in standing the

Bloodline Review Archives Series 3 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019 fees and books of mares are Thoroughbred’s in the I asked Katie why she felt considerably lower for the show ring Thoroughbreds were so best sport horses than they important in showing and she will ever be for the very best In the show ring the very best said “There was nothing better thoroughbreds for racing. hacks, riding horses and some than Thoroughbreds to deliver lightweight hunters often come quality in the show ring”. She Demise of Britain’s from full Thoroughbred lines; said “Thoroughbred’s produce the success of the Racehorse to progeny with deep shoulders, most treasured Riding Horse Series today is a excellent forelegs and with Thoroughbred studs good example of this. exceptional movement”. The decline in overall Thoroughbred values has I was fortunate enough to Katie has had tremendous contributed to the demise of speak with Katie Jerram- success with full predominantly Thoroughbred Hunnable who has taken over Thoroughbreds including studs. The Louella Stud in the ride of a number of former winning the RoR class at Leicestershire, was possibly racehorses owned by Her HOYS on Night Prayers. one England’s most popular Majesty the Queen and has Katie and Night Prayers were studs for Eventing and had tremendous successes with also HOYS finalists in the Showing breeders looking to them in the show ring. Large Hack’s class. Katie also use a full TB stallion; sadly the stud is no longer with us. Louella’s stallions Primitive Rising, Criminal Law and Another Hoarwithy all had an outstanding impact on the sport of Eventing up to CCI5* along with producing finalists in the show ring at both Horse of the Year Show and The Royal International.

There are, however, some studs in both the UK and Ireland whom have recognised the increasing gap in the market for full Thoroughbred sires that can meet the rigorous demands of both three-day eventing and showing and are offering new TB sires as a result. HM The Queen’s Barber Shop and Katie Jerram-Hunnable win the RoR class at Hickstead 4 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

Katie Jerram-Hunnable riding HM The Queen’s Barber Shop at Royal Windsor Horse Show

HM The Queen’s Barber Shop and Katie Jerram-Hunnable at Royal Windsor Horse Show 5 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

Katie Jerram-Hunnable taking the RoR Class at Hickstead aboard HM The Queen’s former racehorse Barber Shop

Zara Phillips and High Kingdom by the TB Stallion Master Imp

Bloodlinerepresenting Review Eventing Archives Team Series GBR at the London 2012 Olympics 6 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

Zara Phillips waving to the crowd after winning the team silver for eventing at the London 2012 Olympics 7 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019 took the Supreme Ridden an outstanding impact on the Primitive Rising not only Showing Class at Royal sport of three-day eventing. sired the highest number Windsor Horse Show on HM of Burghley Young Event The Queen’s former racehorse This is most evident in the Horse final winners but also Barber Shop who was Burghley Young Event Horse sired multiple Burghley and previously trained By Nicky (BYEH) series which started in Badminton horses. Henderson. 1990. Since the BYEH series Primitive Rising’s most started, there is only one sire famous British progeny are Influential that still holds the pinnacle Cool Mountain and Kings of five Burghley Young Event Temptress whom were both Thoroughbreds in Horse Final Winners, no other CCI4* three-day event winners event horse breeding stallion has managed to match and also represented Team this record. That sire is the GBR. Whilst fashions and full Thoroughbred Primitive popularity in using full or part Rising who raced successfully In 2010 William Fox-Pitt and Thoroughbred sires change himself before retiring to stud his son of Primitive Rising over time in event horse in Leicestershire at Louella. ‘Cool Mountain’ won the Rolex breeding, it is clear to see that Kentucky (USA) three-day the full TB sires have made event.

The Louella Stud Thoroughbred Stallion Primitive Rising parading at 8 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

The following year the pair Cool Mountain was always great success with progeny were 13th at Badminton and considered a very strong of Primitive Rising. Mary were 7th Individually at the contender for Team GBR at the and Kings Temptress won European Championships London 2012 Olympics but Lexington (USA) in 2011 and in Luhmuhlen. In 2010 unfortunately did not make it was third at Burghley later the Cool Mountain and William to Greenwich due to a tendon same year. Kings Temptress were also WEG Team Gold injury. was also seventh at Burghley in Medallist and Individual Silver 2010 and she and Mary were Medal winners. Fellow Eventing Team GBR fourth at Luhmuhlen CCI4* in member Mary King also had Germany in 2009

The CCI5* International Eventer Cool Mountain by the full TB stallion

Primitive Rising with William Fox-Pitt on the cross country at Badminton 9 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

The Thoroughbred Championship basis. The two Heraldik, based in Europe, most notable Thoroughbred made a significant impact on sires who shaped sires are Master Imp and German team event horses. event horse breeding Heraldik. Heraldik is the dam’s sire of La Biosthetique Sam who at championship Master Imp, Loftus O’Neill’s represented Germany at level Irish based stallion Master the London 2012 and Rio Whilst the much-loved former Imp (now deceased) has Olympics. He also represented Louella stallions Another sired multiple Championship Germany at WEG 2010, and Hoarwithy, Criminal Law level horses, including High the European Championships and Primitive Rising made Kingdom for Team GBR and at 2009 and 2011. The bay an outstanding impact on Mandiba for USA’s Karen gelding won Olympic team event horse breeding here in O’Connor. High Kingdom and individual gold at London the UK and helped to shape partnered by Zara Phillips, 2012, going on to retain his Team GBR, there are other High Kingdom helped Team individual title at Rio 2016 and sires whom have helped shape GBR win Team Silver at the add a team silver medal to his event horse breeding on a London 2012 Olympics. collection.

Loftus O’Neil and the Irish based Thoroughbred stallion Master Imp 10 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

La Biosthetique Sam won occasions. Their most notable Rolex WBFSH top 10 individual gold at the 2010 win was taking the European World Equestrian Games Championships Individual eventing sire rankings (WEG) in Kentucky, Team Gold Medal in 2013. 1. (1) Contendro I - 1298 and Individual gold medals at the 2011 European In 2018 the World Breeding 2. (2) Jaguar Mail - 1247 Championships in Luhmulen, Federation of Sport Horse 3. (11) Courage II - 1137 and took the individual (WBFSH) Rankings for 4. (9) Balou du Rouet - 1042 European bronze medal in Eventing sires featured both 2009 at Fontainebleau. Master Imp and Heraldik in 5. (10) Grafenstolz - 702 their top 12 sires. 6. (4) Ramiro B - 642 Heraldik is also the sire of 7. (6) Heraldik XX - 608 Halunke FBW who again The big question is, who are partnered with Michael the thoroughbred stallions that 8. (3) Master Imp XX - 550 Jung at Championship Level will be filling these places in the 9. (24) Contender - 521 representing the German rankings in the years ahead? 10. (12) Jumbo - 485 event team on a number of

Michael Jung and Halunke FBW by the Thoroughbred Heraldik on their way to winning the European Eventing Championships in 2013 11 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

Picking the right Final can not necessarily queuing up to take advantage be met by many of the best of them, their type and stamp Thoroughbred as a Thoroughbred sires. isn’t necessarily what breeders sports horse sire are looking for to breed a The ideal Thoroughbred sire CCI5* event horse or Horse of What is clear is that the very for eventing and showing must The Year Show winner. best National Hunt or flat have great conformation, racing sire is not necessarily the soundness, trainability and There are however great very best sire for eventers and a desire to jump boldy and examples of very top-class show horses. cleanly. racehorses that are by more affordable sires that easily The requirements to jump Whilst the leading racing sires could have excelled outside of round Burghley and such as Frankel and Galileo racing as sports horses. Good Badminton or to win a may have stud fee’s well into examples would be the dual Burghley Young Event Horse six figures and books of mares Irish and Cheltenham Gold

National Hunt Jockey and his Gold Cup partner who would have made an ideal Sports Horse 12 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

Cool Mountain and William Fox Pitt on a team appearance for Team GBR

BloodlineCool Mountain Review and Archives William Series Fox Pitt in their dressage test in Kentucky 13 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

Kings Temptress and Mary King on the parade lap after winning the Lexington three-day-event in Kentucky 14 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

BloodlineKings Temptress Review andArchives Mary Series King on their way to winning the Lexington three-day-event in the USA 15 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

Sizing John and Robbie Power on their way to winning the

Cup winner Sizing John (by canter in the school coupled National Hunter trainer Midnight Legend), with stunning show-ring and her (by Presenting) and (by winning looks makes him daughter Kate who were both Crash Course). the perfect stamp of a true former three-day event riders Thoroughbred. themselves. All three could easily have won an in-hand hunter or sports It is no surprise that Sizing horse class hands down. John is the out and-out yard Sizing John’s dreamy balanced favourite of Irish based

Bloodline Review Archives Series 16 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

What makes the perfect Kate and her mother sent the whole of the time and thoroughbred for Sizing John to Irish event team that he had an exceptional rider Sam Watson as part of his temperament”. eventing and showing? recovery from a recent injury in In pursuit of what is the right order to return Sizing John to Kate is hoping to do the type of thoroughbred for peak fitness and performance. Racehorse to Riding Horse eventing and showing we Series on Sizing John after he asked Kate Harrington a Sam, who represented Ireland has finished his racing career. former three day event rider at The World Equestrian Sizing John will certainly be an herself who won a team bronze Games in 2018 said of extremely tough act to follow in Italy 2005 aboard Ice Sizing John that “He learned should he take up a new career Cool Bailey and is assistant incredibly quickly and was in the show ring. to her trainer mother Jessica ready in just three days to do Harrington to share her a test at B.E. Intermediate Sizing John’s sire Midnight thoughts with Insights. level. He said that he was Legend is sadly no longer quick to learn new movements with us, but, the stamp of his Kate said that Sizing John and had leg-yielding progeny is undoubtedly the would be for her the perfect accomplished in a very short type that the new generation stamp of a thoroughbred for time”. of sports horse breeders are eventing. Kate regularly rides looking to breed. the stunning nine year old Katie said that Sizing John gelding owned by the Potts was a true thoroughbred in family. that “He wanted to give 110%

Kate Harrington, Assistant to Jessica Irish Team Eventer Sam Watson Harrington with Sizing John 17 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

BloodlineKate Harrington Review andArchives Sizing Series John 18 Gemini Stud Insights

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Kate Harrington and Sizing John 19 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

Insights pick of the Interestingly, of our List of the best handpicked list of crop of the best Thoroughbred sires only one Thoroughbred Thoroughbred sires has been produced under stallions for eventing saddle eventing, none have for eventing and been ridden in the show ring and showing showing and just one has points with British dressage. 1. Andes To this end, we have Andes was foaled in 1989 and great pleasure in sharing We think our list will have a graded with Sport Horse GB Insight’s pick of the crop few surprises as the very best and is now sadly deceased. of Thoroughbred sires for stallion owners are not always He was a 16.3hh dark bay full eventing and showing that the most prolific with their Thoroughbred stallion who has are available in England and marketing. sired countless champions in Ireland. the show ring and a number of successful event horses. He was Our selection criteria is based by Heights of Gold (by Shirley upon the chosen few sire’s Heights) out of Edna by Shiney conformation, progeny, Tenth. He is still available via bloodlines and where relevant frozen semen performance under saddle.

BloodlineThe stallion Review Andes Archives Series 20 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

2. Classic His most famous daughter, 1994 his first crop of foals won Classic Moet, won Badminton over 15 first prizes in the show Classic was a 16.2hh full in 2018 and has represented ring. Thoroughbred Sport Horse the New Zealand Event Breeding Graded stallion who Team at the World Equestrian He is still available by frozen stood at Beechwood Stud in Games at Tryon in 2018. semen. Yorkshire. Classic has also sired many He successfully raced himself successful racehorses and and his progeny have won over winners in the show ring. In 600 races worldwide.

BloodlineThe stallion Review Classic Archives Series 21 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

Classic Moet at Badminto in 2018

Classic Moet at Badminton in 2018 22 Gemini Stud Insights

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Classic Moet at Badminton in 2018 23 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

Classic Moet by the Thoroughbred sire Classic in her dressage test with at Badminton in 2018 24 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

3. Future Prophecy His sire Powerblade sired international show jumping many successful show jumpers, and eventing sire Jaguar Future Prophecy is a three-year eventers and show horses as Mail. Jaguar Mail is the sire old AES Graded dark brown well as show jumping himself in of FischerTakinou, who won full Thoroughbred stallion. He 1.30cm classes. European individual and team stands at 16.3hh and is by the gold medal as just an eight- late Thoroughbred stallion Future Prophecy’s dam is by year-old under German team Powerblade. Hand In Glove. Hand in Glove event rider Michael Jung. is also the sire of the proven

The stallion Future Prophecy

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Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

4. Miner’s Lamp undoubtedly ’s 2012 Olympics and was Olympic partner Miners Frolic. placed third in the Aachen Miners Lamp was foaled in Nations Cup in 2013. 1977 and stood at 16hh but In 2008 Miners Frolic and is sadly no long with us. This Kristina took the individual On top of all of these fantastic dark brown full Thoroughbred bronze at the 2008 Hong team results Miners Frolic was stallion graded with Sport Kong Olympics, took team a Burghley Young Event Horse Horse GB and stood at 16hh at Gold Medal at the 2010 Final winner as a five-year old. his grading. He was by High World Equestrian Games in Top out of a mare called Coal Lexington and took sixth place He is still available by frozen Face. His most famous son is individually at the London semen from Chris Hewlett.

The stallion Miner’s Lamp

Bloodline Review Archives Series 26 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

Kristina Cook on Miners Frolic during the XC phase of the London 2012 Olympics at Greenwich

Miner’sBloodline Frolic Review Archives Series 27 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

5. Murkas Gem Gem Twist’s is the only horse the 1990 Stockholm World to have won the American Equestrian Games, plus The grey full Thoroughbred Grand Prix Association numerous major Grand Prix Murkas Gem is the clone of the Horse of the Year title three titles. In 2002, Gem Twist former legendary show jumper times. He did this under three was inducted into the United Gem’s Twist. different riders, two of whom States Showing Jumping Hall he also carried to Rookie of of Fame. Grey like his original clone, the Year titles. He also won Murkas Gem was foaled in two Olympic silver medals in Murkas Gem is available for 2011 and later graded with the at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, fresh and chilled semen. AES, he stands at 15.2hh. the World’s Best Horse title at

The stallion Murkas Gem 28 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

BloodlineGem’s Twist Review Archives Series 29 Gemini Stud Insights

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6. Jack The Robin He is by the Irish He is only available in Ireland, Thoroughbred Robin De La and he is not available as yet This Irish full Thoroughbred Maison and out of a French by AI. stallion was presented to Thoroughbred mare Got A the Horse Sport Ireland for Coin by the French Stallion approval as a three-year old in Gothland. Foaled in 2013 and 2018. standing at 17hh.

The stallion Jack the Robin 30 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

7. Sula Blue He is by the Sula Bula out of a He has evented to CCI**** mare called Certain Melody by level coming 18th at Bramham Sula Blue is 16.3hh very dark Ascertain. and has had a top three bay full Thoroughbred stallion placing at British Eventing foaled in 2002. In 2018 he was available for Advanced Level. chilled and frozen semen.

BloodlineThe stallion Review Sula Archives Blue Series 31 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

8. Tajraasi He has sired six sport horses of both Burghley CCI5*-L and international competition age Bramham CCI4*-L in 2018 Aged 20, Tajraasi is a full on the Irish Horse Register and with a double clear jumping at Thoroughbred bay stallion has two horses competing at both events. who has some exciting top level. progeny eventing at Tajraasi is available for chilled International Level. He is the sire of Alfies Clover semen. who finished seventh at

The stallion Tajraasi 32 Gemini Stud Insights

Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

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Stallions | Breeding | Research March 2019

About the Author Georgie Belton comes from a family of eventing, racing and showing breeders in the Midlands. Her grandfather has bred a 5-star horse and she has bred horses up to CCI**** and B.E Advanced Level.

Her own stud Gemini Stud has won the British Eventing Breeding In Hand Championship with a grandson of Primitive Rising under the judging of Henrietta Knight along with the British Equestrian Federation Futurity National Championship.

Georgie has had multiple Badminton CCI5* and Burghley CCI5* mare owners as customers, Classic Opera Gemini Stud stands a stallion grandson of the Holstein Jump stallion Chicos Boy who won a BE Event as a five-year old on his dressage score and was a Horse of the Year Show Cuddy In Hand Finalist as a three year old.

Georgie has written articles on breeding and more specifically event horse breeding for Eventing Worldwide and British Breeding.

Georgie also has a BSc Hons from the department of Agriculture at Newcastle University and is a Director of several property related businesses. Gemini Stud’s stallion Classic Opera in the Cuddy In Hand Final at HOYS 34