By Dr. Helen Sharp PhD
Photography: Peter Llewellyn
When a highly respected equine reproduction vet collaborates with an equally respected sports horse breeder to bring a stallion to Ireland, people take note. Amid the many impressive lots at the recent Stud Hero Total and Unique Auction, offered by Luc Henry, was the handsome twelve-year-old bay stallion Vivald'Ick (Vivaldi du Seigneur x Rubens du Ri d'Asse).
Vivald'Ick is Selle Français, AES and Zangersheide approved and not only brings with him the exceptional bloodline of Ta Belle van Sombeke (Chin Chin x Goliath Z) but through his sire, Vivaldi du Seigneur, carries a pedigree uniting the best blood of French, Holsteiner, and Dutch breeding. Dr John Haughey MRCVS of Carrickview Stud and Alan Robertson of Robertson Equine won the auction with a surprisingly modest bid of €29,000 placed at the last minute.
That last-minute bidding wasn’t necessarily auctioning tactics, however, but more because the decision to buy was a late one, as John explains: “It was never really my intention to get into the stallion business, but like everything else, when an opportunity presents itself - anything is possible.
The Hero auction was well documented, as is Luc Henry's breeding programme, so, like other breeders, I looked carefully through each lot. In all honesty, Vivald'Ick didn't jump out at me at first as a stallion, he wasn't really what I was looking for in terms of an investment, but as the auction progressed, I began to research him and his dam line. I often speak to Alan [Robertson] about horses of interest, and we bounce ideas off one another. When I asked him his thoughts on Vivald'Ick, he agreed the line was strong, and the horse himself had decent performance.”
Vivald'Ick is an interesting and valuable proposal for Irish breeders. He was bred and born at Haras d'Ick in France, bought by De Hus Stud (who still stand his sire Vivaldi du Seigneur), and was subsequently purchased by Luc Henry. Vivald'Ick competed at Grand Prix level before an unfortunate injury halted his career prematurely.
Vivald'Ick's outstanding granddam Ta Belle van Sombeke jumped 1m60 with Jos Lansink, and her exceptional progeny continue to stamp her legacy across the sport. Her offspring includes double Olympic medallist Glock's London/ex Carambar de Muze, and four 1m50-plus performers; Golden Hawk/ex Figo de Muze (Vigo D'Arsouille), Wabelle de Muze (Nabab de Reve), Dabelle (Nabab de Reve), and Taran de la Pomme (Tolano van’t Riethof)... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO BREEDING NEWS
SUBSCRIBERS CAN READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE BY LOGGING IN AND RETURNING TO THIS PAGE
