Ibrahim (horse)

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Ibrahim was a prolific Thoroughbred stallion, who now has progeny competing at the highest level of show jumping.

Lived: 1952-1973
Color: Bay
Markings: stockings on hind, sock right fore
Height: 16 hh (163cm)
Breed: Registered Selle Francais
Breeding: by The Last Orange, by Orange Peel, out of Vaillante by Porte Bonheur
Breeder: René Haize

Ibrahim was purchased for 500 francs by the horse dealer Alfred Lefevre at a local show, from the horse's breeder, René Haize. In 1956, the young horse was champion of his age group, and was sold to the State Stud. He bred at the stud from 1956 to 1973, and was the most famous horse there in the 60's and 70's. However, his breeding career began slow, and he covered Normandy Draught mares for his first few years at stud, with very few sport horse mares booking. Ibrahim's first crop of foals were sold abroad.

In 1957, he produced the mare Norvale. She produced several foals, before competing internationally with Jean-Michael Gaud. Ibrahim's other progeny also began showing up at the international level: horses such as Petit Prince C and Quo Vadie. However, it was not until Tango C, a talented show jumper, began his competition career, that bookings to Ibrahim took off. From only a few bookings in 1966, he began by averaging 25 mares a year, before booking a record 54 mares 1969.

Ibrahim's progeny were exceptional at Fontainebleau in 1970, with Alcazar D, Aurore C, Azimut, Arteban and Almé Z overshadowing all others in the jumping finals, and the five year old mare Val de Loire B winning the jumping class for her age group.

A popular breeding cross was with Ibrahim to daughters of Ultimate, a Thoroughbred. This produced some of the greatest offspring, including Almé Z. Ibrahim still has a great influence, with 15 of 20 stallions who had produced 3 or more horses at the six year old finals at Fontainebleau having Ibrahim in their pedigree.

The following leading show jumpers descend from Ibrahim in four or less generations:

Apricot D (1984) Zweibrücken, Olympic team Silver
Belladonna (1983) KWPN, leading showjumper
Atout d'Isigny (1988) Selle Français, World Championship team Silver
Baloubet du Rouet (1989) Selle Français, triple World Cup winner
Galoubet A (1972) Selle Français, World Championship team Gold
I Love You (1974) Selle Français, World Cup winner
Jus de Pomme (1986) BWP, Olympic Gold
Double Espoir
La Fayette (1977) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
Miss (1984) Selle Français, World Championship Silver
Otterongo (1991) BWP, European Champion Silver
Quidam de Revel (1982) Selle Français, Olympic team Bronze
Quinta la Silla (1982) Selle Français, European Champion
Quito de Baussy (1982) Selle Français, World Champion
Ratina Z (1982) Hanover, World Cup winner and Olympic Silver
Rhum (1983) Selle Français, Olympic team Silver
Rocco (1983) Selle Français, World Championship team Silver
Rochet M (1983) Selle Français, Olympic Bronze and European Champion
Roxane de Gruchy (1977) Selle Français, World Cup runner-up
Silbersee (1973) Selle Français, Hamburg show jumping Derby winner
Souviens Toi III (1984) Selle Français, World Championship team Silver
Twist du Valon (1985) Selle Français, leading showjumper

Ibrahim's influence is still strong. At the 2003 Cycle Classique finals, held in Fontainebleau, there were 112 double clears out of the 219 four-year-old that competed. Only eight stallions sired more than one horse that had a double clear: Urbain du Monnai (6); Apache d'Adriers (5), Cacao Courcelle (3), Drakkar des Huittins (3), French Cancan (3), Papillon Rouge (3), Rox de la Touche (3). All eight stallions descended from Ibrahim.