CANDY DE NANTUEL AT THE BIG BOYS’ TABLE?

  

 

 

Candy’s story doesn't begin in Normandy, but in the Cher region, with the mare Royaltie III, which Jacques Gouin gave to his daughter Marie-Laure Deuquet as a present so she could compete with her. "Unfortunately, we never saw her jump under the saddle, as she was injured prematurely," recounts the lively owner of Haras de Bel-Air (Tours-Pernay competition center), which she manages alongside the Haras de Nantuel. A tall mare of 1.72m, Royaltie is nonetheless full of blood. (See inset below)

Directly put to breeding, Royaltie left an exceptional progeny: out of 11 offspring, 3 boast a show-jumping index (ISO) rated above 150, and 4 above 130!

Candy's 2nd dam, Karma de Nantuel (Quidam de Revel x Royaltie), was an excellent winner in show-jumping competition, with an ISO 162 in GP Pro1 with Marie-Laure's husband, the late Christophe Deuquet, and was later exported to Italy. Luckily, she had been used for embryo transfer to leave her mark at Haras de Nantuel. And what a mark!

Covered at 3 years old, she produced Océane de Nantuel (Diamant de Semilly), ISO 166 under the saddles of Michel Hécart and Titouan Schumacher. Bred to Kannan at Haras de La Roque, Océane produced Samba, dam of Foxy de la Roque – a true phenomenon who strung together a series of supersonic victories in GP 5* with Victor Bettendorf – and of 3 winners with an index above 150: Viceversa with Alberto Zorzi, Uthope with Patrice Delaveau, and Atlantic with Julien Gonin.

Again covered at 8 years old by Diamant, Karma gave birth to Thara Nantuel, Candy's dam. A finalist at 5, 6, and 7 years old, indexed 150 in competition with Christophe Deuquet and then Arthur Deuquet (Christophe and Marie-Laure's son), Thara also represented France at the Junior European Championships in 2017.

 

 

"Thara was a mare full of blood, a real live wire!" recalls Marie-Laure Deuquet. Jacques Gouin performed two embryo transfers when she was 4, and success did not take long to follow! Thara produced two stallions in her first generation: Cobalt, ISO 142, who was exported to the United States, and Candy de Nantuel.

"At the time, we had considered Guidam (the sire of Olympic medallists Ninja La Silla and Authentic, editor's note), but we couldn't get any semen," recalls Marie-Laure Deuquet; "my father had great confidence in Germain Levallois, who had recommended his son Luidam to him. By using him, we were looking to bring in flexibility, a 'cooler' head, and a good canter."

Luidam himself has solid references. A former winner of the CSIO 5* Grand Prix of La Baule, a winner of the Nations Cups of St. Gallen, Dublin, and Aachen, he is also a very charismatic horse with a good conformation, which Candy is reminiscent of.

With this crossbreeding, Jacques Gouin also achieved a clever 3 x 3 inbreeding on the leading sire Quidam de Revel. "Some foals truly stand out, and that was the case when Candy was born. We kept him a stallion because he was very kind, with “good” blood. We presented him at the Selle Français stallion qualifying session in Le Mans. Everyone was then enthusiastic about the other offspring of our breeding, Colorado, who had won that day, but I was convinced that Candy, who had placed 5th, would make a name for himself."

The spotlights did not take long to shine on the little chestnut, as he was sold for €125,000 at the Fences Élite sales during the Grande Semaine de l'Elevage! "It will always remain an unforgettable memory," reminisces Marie-Laure. "We had spotted two horses for this sale, Candy and Cicave du Talus," confesses Arnaud Evain, president of Groupe France Élevage. "Fortunately, we were able to buy Cicave for slightly less than the maximum price we had set, which allowed us to have Candy for a little more than the budget we had planned," he smiles.

Subsequently entered in the SF Stallion Championship, Candy placed 6th and obtained the historic score of 19/20 in the under-saddle jumping test by the SF judges, and then stood out in the Testing session under Anne-Sophie Morel’s saddle. The expert riders (François-Xavier Boudant, Nicolas Delmotte, Nicolas Touzaint, Thomas Carlile, Marc Dilasser, and Olivier Guillon, all members of the French team) awarded him a score of 18 for availability with the following assessment: "Presents natural jumping qualities: willingness, style, body management, strength. Very good temperament, very collected and intelligent on the fence."

It is certain that Candy's quality owes much to the right combination of the Deuquet – Gouin family's know-how. With the reasoned use of embryo transfer, the testing of mares in competition, early breeding, the Haras de Nantuel gives itself the means to produce "contemporary" horses that fit the requirements of today's sport.

 

 

At the end of that season, Alexis Gourdin handed the reins over to experienced rider Thomas Rousseau.

"I was contacted to see if I was interested in training a young horse," recalls the Breton, "I had never seen Candy de Nantuel before and discovered him on video." The trial took place a little later: "from the very first jumps, I had a wonderful feeling."

Less than ten jumps were enough to convince Thomas: "you could feel good potential with a completely extraordinary back movement, an easy horse with super balance. You can always improve horses with work, but it is easier to assess raw qualities on young horses. Candy was really gifted, he confirmed everything he had shown on the video, which is not always the case with horses."

This was the beginning of three fantastic years of competition: 15 clear rounds out of 17 at 5 years old, Élite status, 4th in the National Championship and winner of the L'Éperon Stallion Masters; 13 clear rounds out of 16 at 6 years old, 9th in the National Championship, labelled Excellent; placed in the Top 7 GP and finalist at the Lanaken World Championships at 7 years old.

"Everything was easy with Candy, he was always one step ahead. At 4 years old, he could have competed in the 5-year-old classes, at 5 years old in the 6-year-old classes, etc. He always delivered," praises Thomas Rousseau.

With an even temperament both at home and in competition arenas, Candy stands out for his behaviour: "Returning from semen freezing, you can put him without any problem in the grooming stall next to a mare. In competition arenas, there are no issues about the environment, the ground, or the type of obstacles. We go to competitions serenely, and it's really enjoyable."

With the stylish rider, they formed an emblematic duo on the training circuit. "I never felt pressure regarding results" (Editor’s Note: he often did fewer rounds than other stallions of the same generation). "I was aware that the partnership formed with Candy pleased the breeders, and it was a satisfaction, I felt the work was well done."

 

 

Simultaneously, the demand from breeders did not wane, and quickly his first offspring began to make a name for themselves in breeding competitions.

Candy breaks the mold: "He has something extraordinary," says his breeder, "he is a very modern stallion, and perhaps that is what seduced the GFE, and then the breeders: he was different from the Norman horses with all the scope in the world that we had seen until then. Nowadays, the courses are very technical, fragile, therefore horses need a lot of blood, energy, and intelligence. In my opinion, Candy was a new type of stallion."

"To awaken the interest of the GFE, we believe that a young stallion must have one or two very strong and useful qualities for show jumping. When looking at him, one must be able to say that the horse has a 19.5/20 in that criterion," adds Arnaud Evain. "For Candy, it was the flexibility in the canter and the articulation over the jump. He is a exceptional show jumper. When we manage to make his strong qualities visible, that the horse gets a bit of buzz on the SHF circuit, and that the offspring follow in their sire’s footsteps, the breeders' attention is guaranteed."

"His main quality is his articulation over the jump, his bascule. His shoulder technique can be improved, as is regularly the case with Quidam's offspring. But he has a super mindset for a competition horse," confirms Thomas Rousseau, as do all the riders who rode him. "Candy also has a very good veterinary examination. For me, this is one of the criteria that makes a good horse and even more so a good stallion. It is a key asset for breeders: a healthy foal with a good head will always find a buyer," Thomas Rousseau rejoices, and led one of his sons, Joker d'Amko (dam by L'Arc de Triomphe), to 2nd place in the 5-year-old Championship in 2024.

 

 

 

At 9 years old, Candy came under the saddle of Pénélope Leprévost, who took him to the Spanish sunshine so they could get to know each other: "I had hardly jumped with him before, and I started directly with him at the Sunshine Tour," recalls the rider.

As with his illustrious predecessor Excalibur de la Tour Vidal*GFE, the priority was now given to sport.

The Norman rider says: "The GFE gave me time to adapt, to find my rhythm with him. But with a horse like that, everything is easier: he seems to have been born with a good mouth, he always agrees with everything, he has neither too much blood nor too little." Together, they started to compete in international shows, sometimes crossing paths with his own sister, Hello Folie, ex-Folie de Nantuel, Scott Brash's mount, trained by Marc Dilasser.

Indeed, in the meantime, Thara Nantuel, Candy's dam, proved that she was worthy of her ancestors. Out of seven offspring that were old enough to compete, five have an index rated above 142, placing Thara among the best French broodmares.

"The horse ticks many boxes: he is beautiful, kind, has a good canter, is respectful, courageous. He really lives up to his name (Candy), he's really a sweet horse!" jokes his rider. "Moreover, his offspring seem just like him," analyses the former Olympic Champion, "they have more or less scope depending on the dam line, but they have a good back movement, they are pretty, with their ears forward. I of course watch his offspring carefully in the ring, as I'm naturally curious!"

 

 

Candy has made his mark over eight breeding seasons.

"The second phase of our selection consists in assessing whether the strong quality for which we chose our stallions is transmitted and with what degree of reliability," explains Arnaud Evain. "The advantage of our testing policy is that each year, all of our young stallions combined cover nearly 800 mares. This allows us to refine breeding advice very quickly. For Candy, we know that he almost always transmits his balance, his flexibility, his articulation over the jump. We also know that he requires mares with scope and frame. We have indicated this in the PAX tool; his frontleg movement can be improved, and many breeders have had very successful crossbreedings, provided they take this advice into consideration."

The statistical sheet produced by the Selle Français studbook reveals a percentage of horses with a competition index significantly higher than the average: 75% compared to the average of 63%. This analysis must be considered in relation to the relative youth of his offspring, as his first products will only turn 8 in 2025.

Furthermore, it can be considered that Candy has not benefited from a "harem effect," as he has covered a very wide range of mares and not just a selection of carefully chosen dams, as evidenced by the average BSO (Breeding Stallion Index) of the mares that he covered. Thus, Candy appears in 2nd place in the ranking according to the lower threshold of the BLUP (see page 13) and in 4th place in the Top 100 SHF of the 2024 best sires of young horses, behind Mylord Carthago (24 years old), Untouchable 27*GFE (23 years old), and Diamant (33 years old), whilst Candy is only 12 years old and with almost three times fewer representatives. His offspring also show a much higher average of earnings, with an average of €844 compared to €562 for the top-ranked sire.

Among Candy’s competing offspring, Candice VD Celiebruge (see inset) leads the way with an index of 151, followed by Idaho de Grimeux, who has accumulated €5,800 in winnings in 2024.

Concurrently, Candy already has around twenty approved stallion sons in France and Europe, including the powerful Chagrin d'Amour (see inset) and Itoki de Riverland (see inset).

His offspring enjoy good prices at auctions, with top prices such as Jadore la Soule sold for €115,000, Jumping du Rozel for €92,000, Jordan du Chalet for €72,000, Hashley de Valley for €90,000 at the Fences Sales, Sage van Heiste sold for €80,000 at the Aloga sales, and Hello de Chalusse for €70,000 at the Nash sales.

Candy’s offspring have built a strong market reputation, and it's gaining momentum. They are considered to be "commercial, with a good look, always paying close attention to the fence, and demonstrative over obstacles" by talent scouts from leading European and global dealers.

 

 

On the sporting front, with over €150,000 in winnings, Candy enjoys a record that meets expectations.

At stud, the results of his offspring seem to herald a bright future. Will Candy take over from his illustrious predecessors Calvaro or Kannan (ranked 1st in the WBFSH World Stallion Ranking)? The path is clear. One thing is certain: after being under the watchful eye of breeders who have seen him grow since he was three, Candy has become one of the strongest symbols of Groupe France Elevage and may very well become the future flagship of the GFE.

A horse with such a large media exposure naturally sparks many reactions and comments. Some blame Candy for not being able to reach very high level competition. Let us ask his owner’s opinion on this judgement :

 "I wish everyone could come across a horse like him," replies Arnaud Evain, President of Groupe France Elevage. "First and foremost, I would encourage these outspoken critics to take a look at the world's top 100 sires. Numerous stallions have demonstrated exceptional jumping abilities yet may not be easy to cross, while others who haven't reached such heights still produce outstanding progeny. In contemporary breeding practices, there's a tendency to equate strategic mating decisions with merely assembling pedigrees filled with renowned names. Recognizing that Candy's inherent strength isn't among his standout traits is crucial when formulating effective breeding strategies. Achieving second place in the Sunday CSI5* Grand Prix beneath the Eiffel Tower undoubtedly fulfilled Candy's competitive role; securing a victory in a 1.60m Grand Prix would have been a mere embellishment to his accomplishments," he concludes with no regrets.

Brice Elvezi adds, "Over the past two years, breeders have urged us to make Candy available in fresh semen. However, Candy has proven his worth, and we were cautious not to overextend him. Since our primary focus isn't on sport, we felt it was the appropriate moment to offer fresh semen."

Candy's semen quality is excellent, and we aim to expand his availability internationally, following the successful model established with his stablemate, Untouchable 27*GFE," states the director of GFE. "With Helma Mouche in Ireland (see inset), Chagrin d'Amour in the United States, but also Haribo Gem with Philipp Weishaupt in Germany, Helice Grim with Giulia Martinengo-Marquet in Italy, or Hector Mongothier in Mexico, we are committed to promoting 'Made in France' excellence internationally.

As Candy de Nantuel approaches his retirement, the women who have been integral to his journey reflect on his remarkable dual career in sport and breeding. 

Marie-Laure Deuquet expresses a profound sense of accomplishment: "I feel a great sense of duty fulfilled: the horse has worked on all fronts for 10 years. Perhaps by covering fewer mares, he would have gone further in sport. But today, breeders will be able to benefit from him with fresh semen, and that is the most important thing."

Pénélope Leprévost adds: "Candy is a special case, who has simultaneously pursued sport and breeding at this level of intensity and success. Candy is one of the few, along with Mylord Carthago, to have succeeded in this challenge. He is so in demand on the market that the choice was made – in consultation – to return him to his vocation as a stallion; and today, I believe we can say that he will serve global breeding."

Concluding, Claire Gouin, his breeder, shares her heartfelt gratitude: "I am very happy with what has happened; the horse has greatly contributed to the notoriety of the Nantuel stud farm, and I have only one word: thank you."

The GFE can only return this thank you to the breeders for their unwavering loyalty. We are confident that the best is yet to come!

 

 

Candy de Nantuel's pedigree showcases a remarkable infusion of blood, particularly through his third dam, Royaltie III, who boasts a remarkable 89% Thoroughbred, Anglo-Arab, or Arabian blood. Her greatsire, Night and Day PS, exemplifies the rare success of a Thoroughbred cross, excelling both on the racetrack—securing second place in the Prix du Jockey Club—and as a sire of accomplished sport horses. Notable progeny include Éric Navet's little phenomenon Shogoun II (ISO 184), Danoso (ISO 178), and the unforgettable black mare Quina des Bruyères (ISO 174). Night and Day PS has also contributed to the lineage of Krichna III (ISO 173) and Geisha N (ISO 150).

Nithard AA, her damsire, needs no introduction; some compare him to Ibrahim in the Selle Français breed. Not only has he significantly impacted the male Anglo-Arab line, siring champions such as Jalienny, ISO 160, Iago C, Faritchou, Fol Avril, Hadj A; but also the female line, as he is the sire of Stella, ISO 153, the dam of Quick Star; and the uncle of the champion Bourrée.

This maternal lineage is further enriched by Luidam's pedigree, which itself comprises 57% Thoroughbred blood, ensuring that Candy de Nantuel imparts a robust genetic foundation to his offspring. This blend is a guarantee of bringing blood to the mare base through Candy de Nantuel, both in phenotype and genotype, even if we believe it remains important not to stray too far in the crosses made with Candy.