IT’s totally apt that Burghley’s two leading stallions this year – Courage II and Puissance – sum up the vital characteristics of a five-star horse: bravery and power.

Courage II has enjoyed a phenomenal strike rate of Burghley winners as has Puissance in producing cross–country machines. Three top-10 progeny after the toughest cross-country course amongst just seven five-star events in the world. That’s the feat recorded for Puissance by SAP Talisman (Sam Watson), Oughterard Cooley (Wills Oakden) and Arklow Puissance (Wills Oakden).