G. RAMIRO Z Preferent
B. Raimond x Cottage Son xx

During a lifespan of thirty years, the ¨preferent¨ G. Ramiro Z was himself an international performer, and as a breeding stallion, influenced nearly all of the European performance studbooks. During his own sporting career, he had numerous wins at all levels of show-jumping -- Nations Cups, Puissance (jumping over 2.2 metres) and in international Grand Prix competition. When Ramiro was presented for selection, he was described as the ideal type of the modern Holsteiner, tall and elegant, showing the topline of his grandfather, Cottage Son xx. His excellently formed neck could still be seen, even when he was an old horse, and was a trait consistently stamped on his offspring.

Ramiro's influence on warmblood breeding was of considerable importance. He stood at stud in Westfalia, Holstein, Zangersheide and Holland. He sired a large number of stallions approved in the Netherlands and abroad, as well as an impressive series of fantastic sport horses. Ramiro's children and grandchildren can be found at the very top levels of both showjumping and dressage.

It is impossible to mention all of Ramiro's successful progeny. From his very first breeding season came the super mare, Fatinitza, showjumping from victory to victory under Fritz Ligges and Thomas Fruhmann. Later Fatinitza became the mother of the Zangersheide stallion, Almiro Z. Ramiro's second season saw him in Holstein where he produced three stallions: Rinaldo, Rio Negro, and Ronald, who was for years the most popular stallion in Holstein. Ronald sired five licensed sons and more than a hundred top broodmares, many of whom became mothers of sires like Alcatraz, Libero, Lord Incipit, Larno, Le Grand -- all exceptional sires and sporthorses. Ronald, like his famous father, went to Holland where he stood for five years. He sired, among others, the show-jumping sire Saluut.

Many of Ramiro's offspring have achieved international fame. Of special note was his daughter, the super-mare Ratina Z, dream of the showjumping world. Ratina Z, ridden by Piet Raymakers and Ludger Beerbaum, won World Cup Finals, the European Championships, the Grand Prix of Aachen, individual Olympic Silver, double Olympic Team Gold, Team Gold at the WEG, and twice team gold at the European championships.

Despite his impressive ancestry and sport results, one of G. Ramiro Z's biggest claims to fame are his fertility and sperm quality. They were so high that he was used in the research of artificial insemination and frozen semen, helping to produce the science we know and rely upon today. This fertility is passed on to his offspring.

G. Ramiro Z, truly represents the greatness of the Royal Dutch Sporthorse!