2015 sees the prolific Eventing sire Jumbo topping the British Eventing Sire Rankings for a second year in a row along with maintaining his position as BE’s Sire of All Time. Sitting at the head of the Sire of Young Horse Rankings, for horses aged between four and eight years, is the popular Eventing and show jumping sire Ramiro B.
Based on points earned by the stallion’s offspring registered with BE, 2015 saw Jumbo amassing a total of 1570 points bringing his all-time total to 15,253 points.
The British bred stallion, who was sadly put down in March this year at the age of 31, has sired some of the most well-known event horses in the sport alongside enjoying a successful competitive career himself. By registered Irish Draught sire Skippy out of the show jumper Betty, Jumbo was purchased by Carolyn Bates of Grafham Stud at six months old. He went on to compete up to three star level with New Zealand rider Andrew Nicholson as well as winning the Young Horse World Championship at Le Lion d’Angers in 1991 as a seven year old.
Jumbo has sired no less than 45 Advanced Event horses most notably three time Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials winner, Mark and Rosemary Barlow’s Avebury (ridden by Andrew Nicolson), and the only mare ever to win the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton, Land Rover Burghley and the Rolex Kentucky International Three Day Events - Lucinda Fredericks’ Headley Britannia.
With a total of 785 points this season Belgium Warmblood Ramiro B sits on top of the Sire of Young Horses rankings for 2015. The Calvani sired stallion jumps up four places from his 2014 ranking after impressive performances from his progeny this year including Mrs Angela Hislop’s eight year old Cooley SRS who won the Ballindensik (2) CCI3* and Burnham Market International (1) CIC2* under Oliver Townend.
One of Ramiro B’s most successful offspring Ballynoe Castle RM, now 15 years old, has so far represented the United States of America at two World Equestrian Games and completed five CCI4* events, including a top three finish at the Kentucky Three Day Event in 2014, with Buck Davidson Jr.
