For over 20 years, Luc Henry has consistently strived for excellence through his Hero breeding. However, at the end of the year, the Belgian has announced that he is ending his career as a breeder and is organising a total and unique auction of his entire breeding programme. It is to another passion that Luc Henry turns, as he will now focus on his pigeon breeding, with which he has been involved since 2010.

More than 90 products will be offered for sale from December 18th. Whether we are talking about prestigious broodmares from the best bloodlines in the world or embryos crossing the best showjumping horses, the large selection in the auction ensures that they will make a big splash in equestrian sports.

In 1978, Luc Henry was only eight years old when he entered the grounds of the legendary Aachen competition ground alongside his grandfather. His grandfather was a judge and the little boy experienced the European Championships from the jury stand. It was here he made the decision as to where his future lay: when he grows up he will breed horses for this great sport.

By sheer courage of conviction and self-sacrifice, Luc Henry nurtures and grows his breeding programme. To his natural flair for breeding he adds an essential quality, that of knowing how to associate with the right people at the right time. He was thus able to work in partnership with Marc Kluskens, the discreet Flemish breeder behind the suffix van’t Roosakker. He also trusted Jérôme Guéry, the Belgian rider to whom he entrusted a good number of horses. The result was a Belgian title in 2012 with Tic Tac du Seigneur, who then flew to the United States before returning to Great Britain with Ben Maher. Together, they participated in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Let us also talk of Liscalgot, World Champion in 2002 with Dermott Lennon, of Kaprice, who currently shines with Kent Farrington, of Tic Tac du Seigneur, of Bogeno, 12th of the Olympics from London with Alvaro de Miranda, Querlybet Hero, Ayade de Septon and even Urico. Luc Henry can boast of having seen horses pass through his stables which have created beautiful chapters in the history of equestrian sports. Not to mention the many top prices he has obtained in recent years: Quasibelle du Seigneur (Rubens du Ru d'Asse x Ta belle van Sombeke) at 150,000 euros, Cascade Heureka Z (Casall ASK x Calgot Verdi) 105,000 euros, Chacana Hero Z (Chacco-Blue x Panama du Seigneur) 80,000 euros, Herbel Hero Z (Heartbreaker x Quasibelle du Seigneur) 76,000 euros, a gestation of Casall ASK and Quasibelle du Seigneur for 70,000 euros and a frozen embryo of Chacco-Blue and Gattoucha van't Roosakker for 30,000 euros.

Among Luc Henry’s achievements, let us note that he was the first breeder in the world, in association with Joris de Brabander, to have bred and approved two stallions in an official studbook - born in the same year, from the same mare! Those stallions being Querlybet Hero and Quel Hero de Muze, both from the damline of Narcotique de Muze. In addition, he also sold two stallions to Zangersheide who are today amongst the most popular in Europe - Aganix du Seigneur Z and Dourkhan Hero Z.

At the beginning of the 2010s, Luc was also one of the first to set up a satellite breeding program in Ireland and to manage it with the success we now know him for. The exceptional mares Attoucha Hero Z, Alana Hero Z, and the stallion Ganesh Hero Z were all born in Ireland, at Kinmar Stud.

Luc Henry is considered an atypical breeder and this total and unique sale illustrates his very particular talent once again. This brave and rather shocking decision to sell his stock is the fruit of long reflection: "Whereas some people would hang on to their success and not let anything go, I choose the opposite way. During these 25 years, I have been very lucky. I have had the chance to meet the right people and the right horses at the right moments. Even if luck alone is not enough to be successful in life or breeding, it is an important part of it. In deciding to put together this total and unique sale, I want everyone to have the same luck. Luck perhaps to find a rare pearl."

Among the 90 or so products offered for sale, there are among them five exceptional maternal bloodlines: Liscalgot, Usha van’t Roosakker, Baluka Hero, Prima Donna van’t Paradijs and Ta Belle van Sombeke.

Liscalgot

There are mares that mark the history of equestrian sports and Liscalgot is one of them. World Champion in 2002 at Jerez de La Frontera with Dermott Lennon, the Irish mare combined all the qualities of an exceptional mare. It is not for no reason that Luc Henry wanted to include her in his breeding programme. As if the title of World Champion was not enough, we must also remember to add the 2001 European Team Champion title and an impressive number of victories in Nations Cups.

In partnership with the Irish owners of Liscalgot, Luc very quickly bet on the genetics of the mare by carrying out embryo transfers. A few years later he acquired Liscalgot herself alongside some of her offspring: no less than four daughters from Liscalgot arrived in Belgium in the mid-2000s. For Luc there is no doubt that an exceptional mare in the ring, will have all the attributes to become a dream broodmare.

Liscalgot's full brother Out of Touch performed up to 1.50m, as did three of his descendants. Among the first generation of the World Champion’s offspring: Calgot Pleasure (For Pleasure) who is part of this exclusive sale. Calgot Pleasure, born at the Hero Stud, has no less than 11 descendants. As for Calgot Verdi, a daughter of Liscalgot and Verdi, she can also boast of a great lineage, including Cascade Heureka Z (by Casall), top price at the sale in Zangersheide in 2017, auctioned at 105,000 Euros. Three stallions have been approved in the line of Liscalgot: Lord Calgot, Calensky Hero Z and Freeman Heureka Z.

Usha van’t Roosakker

Usha van’t Roosakker is undoubtedly one of the maternal lines that everyone dreams of having in their stables. Chin Chin’s daughter left behind such quality progeny that hers has become one of the most coveted lines in world breeding. Whether we give the example Electra van't Roosakker, brilliant in 5 * with Janika Sprunger and Jos Lansink, or Kaprice van't Roosakker, who dazzles the public under the saddle of Kent Farrington, they all come from Usha’s daughter, Attoucha van't Roosakker.

Gattoucha van’t Roosakker, sister of Electra and aunt of Kaprice, will also be one of the stars of this auction. "She has an extraordinary will, is really unstoppable, and will become one of the best broodmares in the world. Her abilities are unlimited, with incredible respect for jumps: she has it all." In mid-December, however, in a dramatic turn of events, Luc Henry received a call that his leading mare must undergo emergency surgery following an injury. “Gatoucha is on antibiotics, but she is recovering well. Obviously, in this kind of situation, it is easier to remove the horse from the sale ... but this is a one-time and total sale, so we decided that Gatoucha will remain the No. 1 in our sale. She will obviously be sold with a special contract which will guarantee to her new owner that she will be delivered once everything is in order and she can perform her job as a broodmare. It is part of life with horses and above all we want to offer the sale with total transparency."

Baluka Hero

Luc has crossed many mares throughout his career. Yet when you quote Baluka Hero's name (Carthago x Ulika), his eyes light up: “She’s the mare of my heart!” Baluka is line-bred on the damline of leading Holstein stallion Carthago. Her granddam Fangelika (Consul) is also the third dam of Carthago, who built a solid track record under the saddle of Jos Lansink.

Among her descendants, A Golden Boy Hero Z (Aganix du Seigneur), approved stallion, continues to be polished like a diamond in the stables of Jos Lansink. The other big promise is Tender Dream (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve) who continues to learn under the saddle of Jérôme Guéry. The Belgian rider had previously ridden the dam and also one of his brothers, Dream Alive Hero (Erco van’t Roosakker) who excelled in 1.45m events. The gifts of this European Champion don’t end there: "Baluka is a mare of many talents. She passes on both her desire to do well and her carefulness. We have a lot of hope in her son Tender Dream Hero, as well as in another very promising progeny by Iron Man. The only issue is that they show so much willingness, they create a lot of interest!"

Prima Donna van’t Paradijs

Prima Donna van't Paradijs, who herself achieved 1.40m under the saddle of Pedro Veniss, produced no less than two five-year-old world champions: Subliem van't Paradijs (Nabab de Rêve) in 2000 and Ultra-Top van 'Paradijs (Heartbreaker) in 2002. The latter excelled up to 5 * with Christophe Vanderhasselt, notably during the Nations Cup final.

In recent seasons, it is Agatha d'Ecaussinnes and Thierry Rozier's star, Venezia d'Ecaussinnes (Kashmir van Schuttershof), who have shone on the international scene. The partner of the French rider invited him to join the French team and performed magnificently in the Nations Cup in La Baule jumping a double clear. 

Among this family, let us also highlight his niece, the excellent Jeunesse (Eldorado van de Zeshoek TN), regularly placed in 1.60m with Yves Vanderhasselt.

Panama du Seigneur

Panama du Seigneur is a daughter of the incredible Mic Mac du Dieu Demon, who stood out at Grand Prix level with Olivier Dessutter. Panama (Darco) takes the undeniable qualities of her mother with, in particular, unparalleled carefulness. In addition to having performed at a high level herself, she produced the Olympic Tic Tac (Clinton), ridden by Ben Maher at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Tic Tac is also a full brother of the stallions Vivaldi and Boyfriend du Seigneur.

When Panama stopped competing herself she joined Stud Hero and Luc joined forces with her owner to breed with her. Together, they produced around ten horses, the oldest of which is now four years old. The first stallion that Luc chose to cross with Panama was Kassander van’t Roosakker. There is third generation inbreeding with Heartbreaker. Her daughter Chacana Hero (Chacco-Blue) has already achieved the top price this Autumn - sold at 80,000 euros, she stirred up the auction with her promising pedigree guaranteeing her a successful future. With her excellent offspring, Panama is undoubtedly one of the best mares in Belgium.

Mic Mac du Dieu Demon, in addition to producing Panama, gave birth to Rexar du Houssoit (Ksar Sitte) who jumped at 1.60m, as well as the approved stallion Groovy Semilly (Diamant de Semilly).

Ta Belle van Sombeke

The exceptional progeny of Ta Belle van Sombeke is sufficient in itself to highlight the quality of this lineage. In addition to having shone at a high level with Jos Lansink, this mare stamps equestrian sports with her illustrious descendants. Among her offspring, double London Olympic medalist Glock's London (ex. Carambar de Muze), Golden Hawk (ex. Figo de Muze), Taran de la Pomme, Wabelle de Muze and Dabelle, all of whom have jumped to 1.50m and over.

As for Quasibelle herself, she made the top price of the Z sale in 2018 at 150,000 euros when she was 18 years old. She also has an impressive string of offspring with no less than four approved stallions, including Vivald'Ick (by Vivaldi du Seigneur ), performing at 1.50m, approved by the Zangersheide studbook and constituitng one of the stars of this sale. Oak Grove's Heartfelt (Heartbreaker) (ex.Verybelle du Seigneur) has herself jumped to 1.60m under the saddle of Harm Lahde and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and she has had six foals that have all progressed to 1.45m and over. Among the latter, Fais Toi Belle du Seigneur (Baltik Sitte), who competes in Grand Prix under Jérôme Guéry, and Anabelle Hero Z alias Oak Grove's Americana (Aganix du Seigneur), who follows in her mother's footsteps with Harm Lahde.

If we have hitherto mentioned the exceptional maternal lineage that can be found in this total and unique sale, the choice of stallions has not been trivial for Luc Henry: "For me, it is not about the age of the horse but that these horses have a natural talent. I find that sometimes with older stallions you can be surprised: there are horses that have made great careers thanks to management that suits them. However, for me, a natural talent means a horse can succeed at Grand Prix level also with riders of average ability. Amongst the young stallions I have used, I knew most of them from a very young age, like Aganix, Kassander or Dourkhan - these are all horses I had seen as foals. My choice is not made on a horse’s age, but above all it is decided by a real talent for jumping."

Luc Henry is moving on to other adventures and has decided with this exceptional sale to conclude this chapter in style. Moreover, in addition to the horses that are for sale, his breeding name "Hero" will also be offered and the profits will go to a charitable cause dear to the breeder: the education of children in connection with nature. A great initiative for an enthusiast who feels grateful for all that life has allowed him to experience and who hopes, through this sale, that others will be able to continue to relish the joy offered by horses and by the sport at the highest level.