Craighaven Voila

Craighaven Voila is by Bill and Sally Millar’s Valiant. A stallion described by Mark Todd as “an outstanding individual with superb breeding credentials (who should cross extremely well with our NZ mares)”.

Valiant is by Galoubet who had a phenomenal competition record finishing first or second in 22 International Grand Prix competitions including winning the 1980 World Cup. At stud in the USA, Galoubet offspring are noted for their presence, temperament and spectacular jump. In 1991 alone his progeny won over NZ $3 million. His most famous son is Baloubet de Rouge ridden by Rodrigo Pessoa to win 2 World Cups.

Valiant’s dam is Crystal Vale who regularly won in open competition in the US with international riders Frank Charpot and Carol Hoffman. Valiant’s full sister is competing at Grand Prix level in France having been purchased by Galoubets original French owners. Also competing in France is Bravo a full brother, and a full sister A Magic Show has been retained by the breeder and as a five year old was winning Open 1.30m classes.

In the US Valiant was placed third in the 4 yo International Futurity after winning a regional final and as a 5 yo competed lightly in the Open 1.30m classes.

Craighaven Voila’s dam is Ivana by Jaguar. Jaguar is currently NZ’s only “Elite” Warmblood Stallion and sire of 4 International Grand Prix dressage horses. Although registered as a Belgium Warmblood, Jaguar’s actual breeding is Selle Francais over Irish Horse. This gives Craighaven Voila two lines of the highly successful Selle Francais blood.

Ivana’s dam is by the highly successful TB sire Imperial Seal who has had a major influence on sporthorse breeding in NZ. Ivana’s progeny include CH Guilty Cat exported to Australia as a dressage horse and the much admired CH Full Monty (Masters horse for the EBOP Hunt).

CH Voila is unbroken due to a paddock injury as a young horse. He is a highly intelligent stallion with a wonderful temperament. Staff at Craighaven saw him using his chest to push his favourite mare out of a bull hole in which she had been cast.

To a wide variety of mares Craighaven Voila’s progeny have to date all been big upstanding horses correct with lots of quality and presence. They have exceptional paces and are forward and free moving under saddle.

His stud fee is $600 + GST which we consider very reasonable for a horse of this quality.