Haras des Coudrettes has today announced the retirement of two of their top horses: Orient Express and Ornella Mail. 

Both horses have enjoyed tremendous success under French rider Patrice Delaveau. The 14-year-old stallion Orient Express (Quick Star x Le Tot de Semilly), won both individual and team silver at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy as well as claiming victories in major competitions such as the CSIO5* Grand Prix of Rotterdam (2014), the CSIO5* Grand Prix of La Baule (2013), the CSI5* World Cup of Helsinki (2013), the CSIO5* Grand Prix of La Coruna (2011) in addition to being on the winning French team in the 2013 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona. 

Also the mare Ornella Mail (Lando x Alligator Fontaine), now 14, has countless of victories under Delaveau during her career. The biggest ones came in the CSI5* Grand Prix of Helsinki (2011), and she has also been victorious in the derbies of La Baule (2013) and Falsterbo (2011).

Haras des Coudrettes informs that both horses will be officially retired during the Longines Masters of Paris. Orient Express will dedicate himself to breeding at Haras de la Forge, while Ornella Mail will enjoy life as a mother at Haras des Coudrettes.

"It's out of respect and love for these two horses 'like no others' that gave us so much, that we have taken the decision to put an end to their sports career," writes Haras des Coudrettes on their official Facebook page.

Source: Haras des Coudrettes // Picture © Jenny Abrahamsson