Grand Veneur ♂ †

About Grand Veneur

Grand Veneur is a (died 1988) chestnut Selle Français showjumping stallion foaled in 1972, by Amour du Bois out of a Le Mioche XX dam.

Grand Veneur, a Selle Français stallion, was foaled on 1 January 1972 in France. Bred by André Grandin, he was sired by Amour du Bois and out of Tanagra G. Despite a relatively quiet competition record himself, Grand Veneur is deeply celebrated for his outstanding contribution to the breeding of showjumping horses. His physical stature matched his potent genetic legacy, standing at 168 cm, chestnut in colour. He was primarily stationed at the national stud farm of Saint-Lô for a significant part of his breeding career.

In the world of showjumping, Grand Veneur gained prominence primarily through his prolific progeny rather than personal competition successes. His substantial impact on the sport was primarily through his numerous successful offspring who excelled at national championships and higher levels of competition. However, Grand Veneur faced some criticism for his genetic contributions. It was noted that he occasionally passed on less desirable traits such as weaker backs and problematic joints, but this did not diminish his stature as a popular and highly regarded sire across Europe.

Despite these challenges, Grand Veneur’s influence extended beyond France, making a significant mark in Belgian breeding programs. Licensed by Selle Français, he maintained an impressive BLUP rating of +30. He stood as one of the leading sires in France, with his progeny frequently achieving top standings in national level showjumping competitions. His reputation as a diversely influential sire was built on the consistent performance of his offspring across international circuits.

Grand Veneur was highly influential through his prolific progeny, having sired over 335 showjumping winners and 74 licensed sons, which is a testimony to his impact. Noteworthy among his offspring was Major de la Cour, who inherited and maintained his sire's aptitude for jumping, showing excellence in international competitions. Other sons like Fidji du Fleury further exemplified his genetic contribution, competing at high-profile events. His daughters too were successful, with progeny like Ashle, previously known as Alize des Iles, and other descendants such as Copélia de l’Epine performing strongly at competitive venues. His legacy is reflected in the strong performance pedigree that he passed down, which is still observed in many competitive showjumping circuits today.

Grand Veneur died in 1988. Breeding may continue via frozen semen — confirm availability with the stud.

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