French Chaser
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
 | |
| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| Other names |
|
| Country of origin | France |
| Traits | |
| Height |
|
.jpg)
The French Chaser, French: Autre Que Pur-Sang or AQPS, is a French breed of racehorse bred specifically for its jumping ability in steeplechase and cross-country racing.
It originates from warmblood horses bred principally for military use in the nineteenth century.[2] It was officially recognised as a breed in 2005, and a stud-book was started in that year[4]: 154 [3]: 148 [2] or in 2006.[5]: 9 Only horses with at least 87.5%, but less than 100%, Thoroughbred blood are eligible for registration.[2] Out-crossing with Thoroughbred, Anglo-Arab and Selle Français stock is permitted.[2]
History
[edit]For many years the AQPS were registered for administrative purposes as Selle Français. Since 2005 an AQPS studbook is now maintained with its specific breeding rules.
The AQPS racing breed developed around the end of the 19th century when French farmers began to cross cart horse mares with Thoroughbred stallions to produce a fast and hardy horse that has proven to be best suited for steeplechase racing. The French national studs made available to local breeders at affordable prices "stayer" TB stallions which were disregarded by the flat-race industry. The average person most likely would not be able to see any difference between an AQPS and a Thoroughbred as evolution of the breed has resulted in AQPS horses today being a minimum of 87.5 percent Thoroughbred. The remaining 12.5 percent must be French saddle-bred, usually from AQPS itself but Selle Français and Anglo-Arab blood is also permissible. The fact that many AQPS horses have now over 98% of Thoroughbred blood is raising questions about the relevance of the breed.
The Association des Eleveurs d'AQPS is a member partner in the French Racing and Breeding Committee (FRBC).
If anything, the AQPS is a form of repeat of what was done in England 300 years ago with the Thoroughbred, albeit with French foundation mares. Interest in AQPS chasers in Great-Britain started in earnest in 1987 when Nupsala, trained by François Doumen, came to win the King George VIth Chase beating champion Desert Orchid by 15 lengths.
Probably the best-known AQPS horse in the world is Al Capone II, who won the Grade One Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in 1997 plus seven consecutive Grade One Prix La Haye Jousselin steeplechase races at Auteuil Hippodrome from 1993 through 1999. His full brother The Fellow won the Prix La Haye Jousselin in 1990, the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in 1991 and enjoyed even greater success in England where he won the King George VI Chase in 1991 and 1992 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1994. First Gold met with success in the King George VI Chase in 2000, winning by 12 lengths, and followed on to win the Punchestown Gold Cup. Both Al Capone II and The Fellow were reverse crosses, out of Thoroughbred mares and an AQPS sire.
Three of the horses have won the Grand National at Aintree: Mon Môme in 2009;[6] Neptune Collonges in 2012;[7] and Pineau de Re in 2014.[8] Orphée des Blins won the Grand Pardubice Steeplechase in 2012, 2013 and 2014,[citation needed] and Edredon Bleu won the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2000 and the King George VI Chase in 2003.[citation needed]
References
[edit]
- ^ Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Archived 23 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Breed data sheet: AQPS / France (Horse). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed January 2025.
- ^ a b Élise Rousseau, Yann Le Bris, Teresa Lavender Fagan (2017). Horses of the World. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691167206.
- ^ Elwyn Hartley Edwards (2016). The Horse Encyclopedia. New York, New York: DK Publishing. ISBN 9781465451439.
- ^ [s.n.] (2024). Programme de selection pour la race Autre Que Pur-Sang (in French). France Galop. Accessed January 2025.
- ^ [s.n.] (4 April 2009). Grand National 2009. London: BBC Sport. Accessed January 2025.
- ^ Frank Keogh (14 April 2012). Grand National: Neptune Collonges seals dramatic victory. London: BBC Sport. Accessed January 2025.
- ^ [s.n.] (5 April 2014). Grand National 2014: Pineau De Re wins Aintree race at 25-1. London: BBC Sport. Accessed January 2025.