It is not often Stallions in North America receive press in Europe, but recently I was sent this article written in Germany about Titulus for the ATA…
Titulus – a Secret Star
By Erhard Schulte
(Translated from the German by Helen K. Gibble)
It is rare that a sire who had only very limited opportunities for breeding will be able to express so lastingly his qualities as a progenitor. The 10-year-old TITULUS is an example in this respect.
In 2003, he was approved in Neumünster. Not only did he receive the “approved” predicate, he also was highlighted as the best jumper stallion of his foaling year. A title that he has had probably from birth. His sire, Kasparow, son of the Elite Stallion Sixtus who was successful in upper level jumping tests and is a grandson of the internationally famous eventer Habicht, has assured for himself a strong position in the group of Trakehner sires. Kasparow himself was a successful sport horse and produced horses for many disciplines so that he was assured the Elite Stallion title. His pedigree as well gives him a high value because his very close relations include the top mares Keep Cool, Kenia and Kasixta as well as the Grand Prix star Kevin and the premium stallion Kronprinz.
Titulus has also brought his dam line, the family of the East Prussian trek mare Trude by Azo, into the foreground. This is a line that had been threatened with extinction. In Titulus’ pedigree, the dam line, by way of dam sires Timber and Caanitz, both upper level jumpers, emphasizes performance to a particular degree. And there is also the influence of the reliable rideability producer Kopernikus in Titulus’ third generation. The Trude family, with the top auction horses Thabana, Thalabana, Titus and Timberland has recently called greater attention to itself – and not lastly by way of the premium stallion and top jumper Tirison who appeared as an attention grabbing representative of this family at the 2010 Neumünster approvals.
At a time, when breeders direct their views almost exclusively to the champions, reserve champions and premium stallions of the approvals, Titulus’ breeding record is not extravagant. During his years at stud in Germany in 2004 and 2005, he produced no more than 13 get. But the record of this small group is impressive. In the Main Stud Book of the German Trakehner Verband Titulus is represented by the State Premium and Premium Mare VISTA and the Premium Mare SWEET SOLITAIRE, champion of the 4-year-old and older mares at the central mare inspection in Rhineland-Palatinate-Sarre.
Even more remarkable are the age-related successes of his get in competition. FIRST FLIGHT ALLIANCE was champion of the Nurmi Test, a demanding performance test for young horses. In 2011 he qualified for the National Young Event Horse Championships (Bundeschampionat) in Warendorf, placed in the Finals and, with a knock-down price of Ⓤ40,000 was a top seller in the Top Eventer Auction of 2011. His half-brother, on the sire’s side TIBERIUS was just as successful. He received 9.0's in the qualifying tests for the Bundeschampionat, was celebrated enthusiastically as one of the most talented future event horses in this great national competition and also placed in the finals at an honorable position. Two further Titulus sons are doing well in young horse jumper tests, three more are just beginning their competitive careers.
All this is an impressive competitive and breeding record for the athletic, coal black Sixtus grandson. More than half of the small number of his get demonstrate publically the high potential that is still dormant in them
The black stallion is the pride and joy of his owner Patricia Mallet who discovered him in Neumünster at the time. He is now the winner of two 2011 Horse-of-the-Year awards from the ATA: Champion Schooling Jumper and Champion Modified Jumper.
Nancy
