La Renaissance d'Ekano DKS
DK Sporthorses has been getting recognition for its top breeding program recently in the media, as Ekano DKS returned to sport under the brilliant handling and care of Sophie and Richard Levallois of Haras de Semilly. L’Eperon has done a gorgeous write up of Ekano’s career and we are so honored to be included as a part of his story!
Ekano DKS is the 2018 Champion of Normandy!
Our first foal produced in France, Ekano DKS is the 2018 Champion of Normandy for 4-year-old males!!!
He comes from a rare alchemy of the best European bloodlines: Kannan x Cumano x Cento, three great show jumping champions, all three ranked in the Top 100 World Stallions. He was sold to Sophie and Richard Levallois of Haras de Semilly, and they have done an outstanding job bringing him along (masterful riding from Alexis Gourdin does not hurt either 😀). In 2017, Ekano DKS was approved for breeding by Selle Français Stud book. He is by Kannan and out of Kumana DKS (Cumano-Cento), a crossing that we have grown to love because of the superior and smart horses it produces. In past years, Kumana gave us beautiful foals: Forget-Me-Not DKS (Diamant de Semilly, she is still with us and she is for sale); Game Boy DKS (Diamant de Semilly, sold to Mr. Egbert Schep 2 years ago); and Hanley DKS (full brother of Ekano DKS, recently sold to Christine and Gilles Croguennec). This year, Kumana produced a beautiful colt by Nabab de Reve, Ikano DKS.
Click here for video of the 2018 Championship of Normandy!
DKS Welcomes the First Foal of 2018: Darco-Montender-Concorde!
DKS welcomes its first foal of the year, Bellerophon DKS.
DKS welcomed a new colt (Darco-Montender-Concorde) on April 1, 2018 at Highland Farms in Little Rock, Arkansas, thanks to the expert care of Leslie Carter.
Darco brings power and stamina to this foal, as well as honesty and intelligence, integral to our breeding philosophy of Heart, Scope and Mind. Partnered with Ludo Phillippaerts since the age of 5, highlights of the duo’s success included 7th place at the Barcelona Olympics, 2nd at Spruce Meadows/Calgary, 6th in the World Equestrian Games and Stockholm, and countless wins and placings at World Cup and international Grand Prixs. This foal's sire is one of the most sought after stallions in the world, having topped the World Breeding Federation's Sire list for years, and appearing on that list since its inception in 1995.
This foal's dam has been dedicated to breeding from the start, but her dam has had an illustrious career in the hands of Holly Shepherd of Accolade Farms in Grand Bay, Alabama and we are confident that she's transmitted much of the same bravery and energy that her mother has. Belle Clara DKS (Concorde-Berkeley-Budweiser) loves to win. She competed in her first 1.50 m Grand Prix at age 9 (finishing 2nd!), and she has since been named the Open Jumper Circuit Champion at the Gulf Coast Winter Circuit in 2015 and 2016. She is also a two-time winner of the demanding Jumper Derby at the Gulf Coast Winter Circuit. Before retiring in perfect health to begin breeding full-time, she won the Welcome Stake at the Venice Equestrian Tour and placed in two Grand Prix classes at the 2017 Gulf Coast Winter Circuit.
We can't wait to see what this guy can do.
Kasalla DKS and Helios Quality DKS Sold at FENCES Elite Auction!
Dejan Krunic Sporthorses is proud to announce that two of our lovely foals were sold at the FENCES Elite Auction in August 2017. Kasalla DKS (Cassini-Lansing-Cor de la Bryère) was purchased by M. Alexandre (Alban) Gruson of Haras de Menil Jean. We are thrilled that this beautiful filly will be staying close to us in Normandy and we can't wait to see what she does. Helios Quality DKS (Kannan-Clinton-Heartbreaker) was purchased by none other than M. Arnaud Evain, President of the Agence FENCES and CEO Groupe France Elevage, one of the most influential people in sport horse breeding. We are thrilled that he saw the same possibility that we saw in this strapping young colt. We look forward to seeing what he will do!
DKS Welcomes Helios Quality DKS! (Kannan-Clinton-Heartbreaker)
Dejan Krunic Sporthorses is excited to welcome Helios Quality DKS to the family! He was born May 2, 2017 under the care of the amazing professionals at Haras de Semilly. Thank you, Sophie and Richard, especially for providing such wonderful photos of the foal! Helios Quality DKS is Kannan out of Bella Vita van de Molendreef (Clinton - Heartbreaker - Beach Boy). He is the product of our collaboration with Koen Terryn of Quality Stud. This is the second foal by Kannan we have produced this year, and we can't wait to see what this sun god can do! It should be exciting to be able to compare the Kannan-Cumano-Cento born earlier this year to the same dam. Helios Quality DKS's dam is a full sister to Beezie Madden's Coral Reef Via Volo, which was named 2011 Horse of the Year in the United States. Houston Quality DKS' dam also boasts a full brother who is an approved stallion and an international jumper in Germany, Deep Purple van de Molendreef. This mare has already produced three spectacular foals for us, including one, Nic Nac Quality, which is currently owned by the famous Belgian stallion farm Van de Heffinck. She has, so far, produced only colts. They've each been very impressive, and we're thrilled to have another.
DKS Welcomes Houston Quality DKS! (Diamant de Semilly-Clinton-Heartbreaker)
Dejan Krunic Sporthorses is excited to welcome Houston Quality DKS to the family! He was born April 10, 2017 under the care of François-Xavier Guyard. Merci François-Xavier! Houston Quality DKS is Diamant de Semilly out of Bella Vita van de Molendreef (Clinton - Heartbreaker - Beach Boy). The foal's sire is the current #1 jumper breeding stallion in the world. However, this foal joins a very impressive family line on both sides, as his dam is a full sister to Beezie Madden's Coral Reef Via Volo, which was named 2011 Horse of the Year in the United States. Houston Quality DKS' dam also boasts a full brother who is an approved stallion and an international jumper in Germany, Deep Purple van de Molendreef. This mare has already produced three spectacular foals for us, including one, Nic Nac Quality, which is currently owned by the famous Belgian stallion farm Van de Heffinck.
We're thrilled to see another exciting colt join this line.
DKS Welcomes Hanley DKS! (Kannan-Cumano-Cento)
Dejan Krunic Sporthorses is excited to welcome Hanley DKS to the family! He was born April 8, 2017 under the care of the amazing professionals at Haras de Semilly. Thank you so much Sophie and Richard! Hanley DKS is Kannan out of Kumana (Cumano - Cento), which has produced an extremely handsome young colt. We're not surprised by this, because Kumana has produced three outstanding foals for us to date. Her first foal, a colt by Kannan named Ekano DKS, was sold to none other than the world-famous Haras de Semilly. Ekano has started his training this year, and we are hearing that he is a very good jumper and we look forward to watching him in this season's stallion competitions! Kumana's second foal, a filly aptly named Forget-me-not DKS, is by the WBFSH World #1 Stallion Diamant de Semilly. Kumana's third foal, Game Boy DKS, is also by the World #1 Stallion Diamant de Semilly. Game Boy, a gorgeous youngster with a lot of potential, has been sold to the renowned stallion producer Egbert Schep of The Netherlands.
We're thrilled to have Kumana producing another Kannan foal this year and can't wait to see how he develops!
DKS Welcomes Highlander DKS! (Baloubet de Rouet-Diamant de Semilly-Darco)
Dejan Krunic Sporthorses is excited to welcome Highlander DKS to the family! He was born April 4, 2017 under the care of the amazing Leslie Carter of Highland Farm in Little Rock, AR. Thank you so much Leslie! Highlander DKS is Baloubet de Rouet out of Top Girl (Diamant de Semilly-Darco-Jalisco B), which should produce a very powerful colt. This foal boasts a lineage that is solidly among the most sought-after pedigrees in showjumping. Top Girl Kervec is from a famous Selle Français breeding family. She has no fewer than five brothers who are approved stallions, with three of them being full brothers. Top Girl's full sister, Queen Girl Kervec, competed in the Nations Cup for France (including at Hickstead) and has produced several top offspring including Patrice Delaveau's up-and-coming Trafalgar Kervec and Vip du Forezan, the 2016 winner among 7-year-olds in the finals at Fontainebleau, France.
We can't wait to go visit this colt and see him in person. This colt is one of two such breedings we expect this year. This colt was produced thanks to embryo transfer, completed by Weatherford Equine in Weatherford, TX. Thanks to their expert work, we should be expecting a second Baloubet de Rouet foal out of Top Girl in less than one week!
DKS Welcomes Kasalla DKS! (Casall-Cassini I-Cor de la Bryère)
Dejan Krunic Sporthorses is excited to welcome Kasalla DKS to the family! She was born March 2, 2017 under the care of the amazing people at Haras de Semilly. Thank you so much Sophie and Richard! Kasalla DKS is Casall out of Beauté de la Vie (Cassini I-Cor de la Bryère), a breeding that we are incredibly excited to see develop due to the blood and reflex from Cor de la Bryère that we expect to see from this combination. Casall is a living legend whose feats and those of his offspring continue to be admired and discussed. This superstar with huge scope transmits amazing movements, strong backline and outstanding style. Casall produces athletic foals which are well-esteemed on the international market.
More to come as we get to know this special filly, and begin to get a sense of what amazing things she is going to accomplish!
DKS Welcomes Hollywood Girl DKS! (Baloubet de Rouet-Diamant de Semilly-Darco)
DKS is excited to announce the birth of our second Baloubet de Rouet out of Top Girl this year, Hollywood Girl DKS. This filly was born early in the morning on Friday, April 14, 2017 at Highland Farm in Little Rock, AR. Major thanks to Leslie Carter, who took excellent care of the mare and foal and who woke us up extra early with the good news! Hollywood Girl DKS is Baloubet de Rouet out of Top Girl (Diamant de Semilly-Darco-Jalisco B), which should produce a very powerful colt. This foal boasts a lineage that is solidly among the most sought-after pedigrees in showjumping. Top Girl Kervec is from a famous Selle Français breeding family. She has no fewer than five brothers who are approved stallions, with three of them being full brothers. Top Girl's full sister, Queen Girl Kervec, competed in the Nations Cup for France (including at Hickstead) and has produced several top offspring including Patrice Delaveau's up-and-coming Trafalgar Kervec and Vip du Forezan, the 2016 winner among 7-year-olds in the finals at Fontainebleau, France.
This was the second of two foals of this same pedigree that we expected this year, thanks to the folks at Weatherford Equine. Both were produced using embryo transfer, with the embryos carried by two of our other mares, Lyric and Belle Star DKS.
Mira DKS and Lilly Express DKS Complete the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Oliva, Spain!
Mira DKS and Lilly Express DKS celebrated the completion of the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Oliva, Spain under the masterful guidance of Amy Graham and Emmanuel Bertho of Haras du Ry.
This is the second time at MET for Lilly Express DKS, who started there in the Autumn, marching around 5-year-old courses with ease and confidence. At the beginning of her 6-year-old season, she completed 1.30m courses, impressing everyone and demonstrating her bravery and willingness to do the job.
Mira DKS began her 5-year-old season, jumping 1.15m courses, and had an impressive five clean rounds out of seven total. Additionally, she placed 3rd and 6th in two of the Grand Prix classes for her division. She maintains her stellar record from her 4-year-old season, when she jumped four out of five courses clean.
These two special horses are headed back to Haras du Ry with Amy and Manu to continue their training. We're so incredibly proud of them, and thrilled with all the work Amy and Manu have done with them. Bravo!
Belle Clara DKS Crowned Circuit Champion at Gulfport, MS!
On March 20, 2016, Belle Clara DKS, by Concorde out of Berkeley (Budweiser), completed another successful showing at the six-week Gulf Coast Winter Classics in Gulfport, MS. As in 2015, she was Open Jumper Circuit Champion! She is trained and ridden by Holly Shepherd of Accolade Farms in Grand Bay, AL.
Belle Clara DKS competed in eleven events at 1m30 and 1m40, coming in first in four events and among the top four competitors in all but one event. She is a quick, explosive ten-year-old with a drive to compete, and Holly Shepherd has done a fantastic job bringing out these traits and using them to win big.
Congratulations Holly! Congratulations Belle Clara DKS!
Watch them win big below!