By Michael Doherty
54 riders, from across 19 nations, will contest the opening leg of the 2022 Longines Global Champions Tour in Doha, Qatar, this weekend. A total of 104 horses are entered to get their Longines Global Champions Tour season underway.
In February, the breeding world lost one of its greats when Diamant de Semilly passed away at Haras de Semilly in France, aged 31. It is fitting therefore, that the former World Number 1 sire would be the most represented stallion in Doha, with an impressive five offspring entered to compete. They include Niels Bruynseels’ Cristel (breeder: Stoeterij Het Maalwater), Christian Ahlmann’s Dominator 2000 Z (breeder: Stud 2000 BVBA), Olivier Philippaerts’ H&M Miro (breeder: BVBA Brutsaert Trading), Marlon Zanotelli’s Like a Diamond van het Schaeck (breeder: Perry De Winter) and Mumbai (breeder: De Moerhoeve BVBA), with Christian Kukuk.
It is worth noting that Diamant de Semilly is also the dam sire of two other entries, namely Harrie Smolders’ Bingo du Parc (breeder: Andre Herouart) and Shane Breen’s Cuick Star Kervec (breeder: Christophe Huon).
Sire of Sires
Through his Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix winning son Emerald, Diamant de Semilly’s influence is extended to two more entries; Mike Kawai’s Goldwin (breeder: Valérie Blariau) & Christian Kukuk’s Nice van’t Zorgvliet (breeder: Clarysse Van Coppenolle). Diamant de Semilly sons Flamingo K and Pacino are represented by Eduardo Alvarez Aznar’s Full Option van’t Zand (breeder: Steven Verwaeren) and Max Kühner’s EIC Cooley Jump The Q (breeder: Pam Walshe) respectively. Another son, Diarado, is the sire of Simon Delestre’s Dexter Fontenis Z (breeder: S.ky Horses S.C.R.I).
Diarado’s owner, Paul Schockemöhle of Gestüt Lewitz, is the most represented breeder in Doha, with three home-bred horses lining out; Chaclou (Chaccomo x Baloubet du Rouet) with Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, Carlotta (Conthargos x Balou Du Rouet) with Johnny Pals & Mila (Monte Bellini x HH Linton), with Ludger Beerbaum.
Two other breeders have more than one home-bred heading for Doha. Stoeterij Het Maalwater of The Netherlands is represented by Johnny Pals’ Charley (Calido I x Askari) and the aforementioned Cristel (Diamant de Semilly x Cento). Belgium’s Luc Henry has Pieter Clemens’ Akarad Hero Z (Aganix du Seigneur Z x Chin Chin), bred in partnership with Gerry Marron, and Simon Delestre’s Tinka’s Hero (Tinka’s Boy x Caretino), bred in partnership with Vincent Jourdan, representing his breeding endeavours. In fact, Akarad Hero Z & Tinka’s Hero Z descend from the same damline.
To have one home-bred competing at a leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour is a great achievement for any breeder, and to have more than one entered at a single venue is something quite special. Congratulations to each of the breeders responsible for these 104 equine athletes.
