The best Selle Français stallions

There are many approved stallions in the Selle Français studbook, but the best have stood out not only for their sporting careers but also for the scale and quality of their production, both in Show jumping and in Eventing. Let's take a look at those who have left their mark on the history of their sport ⤵️

Diamant de Semilly

The SFO (Selle Français Originel) stallion Diamant de Semilly is one of the legends of equestrian sports. This son of Le Tot de Semilly and Venise des Cresles (by Elf III) has left an indelible mark on the world of equestrian sports, both through his sporting career and as a sire. Between 2015 and 2016, he was standing at the top of the WBFSH rankings and has never left the podium since. This true leader of the Selle Français studbook shone under the saddle of his only rider, Eric Levallois. Together, they won the World Championship in Jerez in 2002 along with three other stallions: Dollar dela Pierre, Dollar du Mûrier and Crocus Graverie. The following year, he won a team silver medal at the European Championships. His impressive progeny include over 4,000 registered offspring in France. Among the most famous are Quickly de Kreisker, Toledo de Kerser, Diarado, Vital Chance* de la Roque, Don VHP Z, Ilex VP and Dominator 2000 Z, to name but a few.

Mylord Carthago

Mylord Carthago is another stallion well known to breeders and show jumping passionates. This remarkable son of Carthago, out of a dam by Jalisco B, has forged a reputation alongside French rider Pénélope Leprévost, who has taken him to the very highest level: together, they won the titles of vice World Champion and vice European Champion in 2010 and 2011. The grey stallion has won 5* Grand Prix in Paris, Helsinki and Vienna, and has regularly shone in the Nations Cup, with notable victories on the legendary tracks of La Baule, Rome and Aachen. Numerous offsprings of Mylord Carthago have distinguished themselves at the highest level: Timon d'Aure, Twentytwo des Biches, Tolede de Mescam, Vertigo du Désert, Billabong du Roumois, Cocaïne du Val, to name but a few. In Eventing, his best successes include Totem de Brecey and Babylon de Gamma.

VDL Zirocco Blue

VDL Zirocco Blue, born under the name Quamikase des Forêts to Mr Fabrice Paris in Normandy, is a Selle Français stallion who enjoyed his sporting success under the saddle of Dutch rider Jur Vrieling.

Zirocco Blue is a son of Mr Blue out of a dam by Voltaire. The pair won the team gold medal at the European Championships in Aachen and finished 5th individually. Together, they have won numerous Grand Prix and Nations Cup titles. In terms of production, sixty Zirocco Blue offsprings have won ranking classes. Recently seen on 5* podiums: the bouncy, energetic Glamour Girl, ridden by Swedish rider and world number one Henrik Von Eckermann.

Quidam de Revel
 

Quidam de Revel also marked his era in Show jumping. Born in 1982 in Calvados at the Balleroy stud, he is still considered as one of the most influential stallions in the sport. He is a son of Jalisco B and Dirka (by Nankin). Under the saddle of French rider Hervé Godignon, Quidam has won numerous Grand Prix and Nations Cups, as well as being runner-up in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic team class and 4th in the individual class. His progeny are immense, including the great stallions Nabab de Rêve, Dollar du Mûrier, Guidam, Quaprice Bois Margot and Quel Homme de Hus.

Baloubet du Rouet

The stallion Baloubet du Rouet, born in 1989 (and died in 2017), is a son of Galoubet A and Mésange du Rouet (Starter). Partnered with Brazilian rider Rodrigo Pessoa (after starting his career under the saddle of Nelson Pessoa), he enjoyed many successes in his career: he was individual Olympic champion at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, won the World Cup final three times in a row, won a team bronze medal at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, won the Top Ten in Geneva in 2005 and won numerous 5* Grand Prix. Baloubet du Rouet, who was at the top of the WBFSH world ranking of Show jumping stallions in 2012, has also had a great career as a stallion: he sired Ludger Beerbaum's crack horse Chaman, as well as Napoli du Ry (ridden by Simon Delestre at the London 2012 Olympic Games), Number One d'Iso*Un Prince, Palloubet d'Halong, etc.

Jarnac

Jarnac is a stallion by Ryon d'Anzex out of a dam by J'T'Adore. Born in 1997, he has shown real consistency at top level throughout his sporting career: French stallion champion at 3, he took part in the national finals at 4, 5 and 6, then was ridden successively by Reynald Angot and Timothée Anciaume at top level. His outstanding performances include victories in the 4* Grand Prix at Chantilly, the Nations Cup at Gijon and a 3rd place in the 5* Grand Prix at Gigon. Jarnac has produced champions in Show jumping (including Usual Suspect d'Auge, Qurack de Falaise, Tempo de Paban and Varennes du Breuil), but also in Eventing: he is labelled "Recommended Eventing Stallion" by France Complet! His best offspring include Qoroky Ko (CCI 3*), Penelope Fonroy and Vidoc de Loume.

Qlassic Bois Margot

Qlassic Bois Margot has left his mark on his generation and future generations thanks to his consistency, numerous performances and the quality of his offspring. This son of L'Arc de Triomphe and Décibelle du Roc (Galoubet A) is 69th in the WBFSH ranking in 2022, thanks in particular to the performances of his 8- and 9-year-old offspring, who are coming to the fore. For example, he has produced Dzara Dorchival, the crack horse ridden by world number 1 Henrik Von Eckermann, as well as Bandit Savoie, who has already won 5* Grand Prix. As for his sporting achievements, he has a long list: runner-up in the world team event at the Caen Equestrian Games in 2014, team gold at the Nations Cup final in Barcelona, no fewer than 19 podium finishes in 5* Grand Prix and €1.3 million in prize money!

Jaguar Mail

Jaguar Mail is a Selle Français stallion born in 1997: he is a son of Hand in Glove and Elvira Mail (Laudanum). His origins are 3/4 thoroughbred, which may explain his success in Eventing. However, it is in Show jumping that he has performed at the highest level: at the age of 6, he was the best Selle Français stallion in the World Young Horse Championships' final in Lanaken (2003), he was a finalist at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, French Young Rider Champion in 2010, winner of The Sire of The World in 2007, and of course, he has placed on numerous occasions in 5* CSI!

Nearly a third of his offspring are listed in Eventing: Takinou d'Hulm, ridden by Michael Jung, was double European champion at Blair Castle in 2015, Vassily de Lassos was French champion in the 6-year-olds, 6th in the World Championships for 6-year-olds and 4th in the World Championships for 7-year-olds under the saddle of French rider Thomas Carlile, and then had a great career at top level under the saddle of Andrew Hoy. The list of his performing offsprings goes on: Tenareze (double World Champion at 6 and 7 with Thomas Carlile), Risotto Mail (French Champion at 7), Cadet de Béliard (French Reserve Champion at 5 and 6, then successful in 4*), and many others have enjoyed great international sporting success.

Nouma d’Auzay

Nouma d'Auzay, just like Jaguar Mail, has been very successful in Show jumping and has had a successful breeding career in Eventing. He is a son of Carthago out of a dam by Quidam de Revel born in 2001. The bay stallion enjoyed great success in France under the saddle of Hervé Godignon (finalist at 4 and 5, he made his CSI debut at 7) before joining the stables of German rider Franke Sloothaak, with whom he became the 8th best 8-year-old horse of his generation (and best Selle Français!). He then went on to achieve top placings in 5* CSI and on the Global Champions Tour under the saddles of Julien Épaillard and Jan-Pierre Fromberger.

On the offspring side, he is the sire of Pratoni del Vivaro 2022 World Champion Banzai du Loir, born in France and sold in England, who competes in CCI 4 and 5* with young British rider Yasmin Ingham. Nouma d'Auzay's production doesn't stop there: he has also produced a number of successful offsprings up to 1.50m in Show jumping (Bijane du Loir, Vallauris, Albion, etc) and in 4 and 5* Eventing (Tzinga d'Auzay, Voila d'Auzay, César de Commarin, etc).