Voltaire

Voltaire,one of the most influential showjumping sires of the present day, is the result of crossing two outstanding bloodlines: Furioso 11 and Gotthard.

Breeding

Furioso 11 produced over 200 state premium mares and at least 70 approved stallions of which several are standing at stud in other continents. One can easily say that Furioso 11 has influenced the breeding industry worldwide. The full brother of Furioso 11 is the French stallion Mexico. His son Le Mexico is a familiar name in breeding and frequently appears in the pedigrees of showjumping superstars. The dams sire Gotthard is, now more than 15 years after his death, almost a legend in German sport horse breeding and his name is simply a synonym for the Hannoverian showjumper. Offspring such as Goldika, Goya, Queensway and Genius to name but a few of the best of Gotthard’s top class performing progeny. Gotthard’s strength is continued in his sons and grandsons but also indirectly on the dam side of, for example, Grundstein and Grannus. Vital in Voltaire’s pedigree is the connection in the third generation to the Thoroughbreds More Magic xx (sire of amongst others, Moscow Olympic Gold medal winner Mon Cherie) on one side and on the other side Furioso 11 (sire of the gold medal winners Lutteur B and Pomone B).

Performance

As an 8 year old, Voltaire jumped 1.50 m. courses with a great deal of success. He showed his strength in International jumping in 1988 in Calgary, Stockholm, Lanaken, Helsinki, Wiesbaden and Wembley and in 1989 he brought his showjumping career to a successful ending by winning the Grand Prix of Berlin with Jos Lansink and second in the Grand Prix of Leeuwarden.

Progeny

Voltaire was the sire of the most offspring at the Olympic Games of Atlanta in 1996. Moreover, the world famous Voltaire was second in 1999 on the World Breeding Rankings of Showjumping Sires. Voltaire has over 30 approved sons in Europe. Many of his offspring jump at Grand Prix level such as Concorde, Finesse, Altaire, Kahlua, Play it Again, Helios, Electro, Danta and Especial to name but only a few. Foltaire ridden by Gunther Seidel is a famous offspring of Voltaire in the International dressage ring.

Pedigree