IF there is one lesson we must learn from the current success being enjoyed by French-bred horses at the highest level, then it must be that we ignore, or decry, form over jumps at our peril.

New to Clongeel Stud this year, after a year standing in France, is Khan, and this Group 1 winner was successful five times over hurdles in England.

What are the factors breeders are looking for in a stallion? Good looks – tick; high-class form – tick; a stallion family – tick; a solid dam line – tick. With Khan satisfying so many requirements, then surely additional prowess over hurdles can only be an added bonus.

A winner in France and Germany, and with group form in Italy, Khan’s best win on the flat was a six-length defeat of Group 1 winner Windstoss in the 12-furlong Preis von Europa in Cologne. He also displayed great versatility over hurdles, winning from two miles to three and a quarter miles, trained by Milton Harris.

Chasing’s loss is Clongeel’s gain, as Harris explained. “He schooled brilliantly over fences, in which discipline he would undoubtedly have thrived. A very, very sound horse with an equally sound mind, I’d love the opportunity to train his progeny.”

Khan is the best winner sired by Santiago (Highest Honor), a multiple group winner in Germany and Italy, and another of his outstanding runners was Grade 1 French chase winner Cicalina, and, like Khan, she is out of a mare by Winged Love (In My Wings).

Khan is one of a pair of Group 1 winners produced by Kapitol (Winged Love), a Group 3 and listed winner in Germany. The other is the successful sire Kamsin (Samum), the German champion three-year-old who won the Group 1 Deutsches (German) Derby, and two other races at the same level.

Typical of some of these stout German pedigrees, the dam line has shown an ability to produce leading performers under both codes. In this case Khan’s third dam, three-time winner Kaisertreue (Luciano), bred seven winners, and notable among them was her son Kadi (Shareef Dancer). His career over jumps was handled by David Nicholson, and Kadi was one of his many winners at the Cheltenham Festival.

Successful for John Oxx and Michael Kinane in a 10-furlong Curragh maiden at three, Kadi’s most significant success was in the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup Chase at Prestbury Park when, partnered by Norman Williamson, he beat Dublin Flyer by a length, with a high-class field in arrears, including Second Schedual and Garrison Savannah.

His placed efforts included being beaten half a length by Edredon Bleu at Kempton, finishing three-parts of a length behind Banjo in the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton, and also runner-up in the Grade 2 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree.

Khan joins Alignak this season at Clongeel, and Edmund and Marita Vaughan have much to look forward to with their attractive sires.

KHAN (GER), Bay 2014. Won two races, £137,655, over 1½ miles, at 3 and 4 years including, Preis von Europa, Cologne, Gr.1, also placed second in Silbernes Band der Ruhr, Mulheim, L, and third in Preis des Gestuts Wittekindshof St Leger, Dortmund, Gr.3, also won five races and £32,134 under NH Rules.

Retired to Stud in 2022. First crop are foals.

Stands at: Clongeel Stud, Boherbue, Mallow, Co Cork P51 N529, Ireland

Contact: Edmund or Marita Vaughan

Telephone: +353 86 8916449 (Edmund) or +353 86 3870010 (Marita)

Email: clongeelstud@yahoo.ie

Fee: On application