“Four years ago I decided to get involved with Warmbloods and explore the option of bringing semen into South Africa. As this proved very difficult to do, it was easier to buy foals or youngstock and import them.
After tying up with Caroline Reycraft and Celia Clarke in connection with buying foals depending on the breeding I was looking for, we visited more than 25 stud farms throughout Southern England. Some 400 foals and youngstock later, we found Vainqueur at the age of 6 weeks old as a Dressage prospect.
Vainqueur remained in England at Meadow Stud until he was 18 months old and was then imported to South Africa together with Wenzel R. Wenzel R was was purchased from River Stud in Cornwall and was 7 months old at the time of buying.
When the horses were imported to SA at the age of 18 months and 9 months respectively, they went to a private stud farm in the South African Midlands for a period before they came up to Karen Keller when Vainqueur was 2 1/2 years old.
Both colts have recently undergone the first phase of grading which is done in-hand, and scored very well. They are now being prepared for the next grading level which will be under saddle and will take place later in 2006.”
