Autre Que Pur Sang horse (AQPS) loosely translates to
‘other-than pure blood’ and is a classification used for race horses in France
that are not of pure English Thoroughbred lineage. They must have 75% English
Thoroughbred and less than 5% Arabian blood to participate. The rest of the
bloodlines can be a mix of regional French saddle horses (like French Saddle
Horse and Anglo-Arabian). These horses are run both on flat tracks and in
steeplechase races. This mix is not as swift as the English Thoroughbred,
although they prove to be sturdier and to possess more endurance. They often
excel in obstacle races and longer distances against an open field.
AQPS racing horses were developed around the end of the 19th
century when French farmers began to cross cart horse mares with Thoroughbred
stallions to produce a fast and hardy horse that has proven to be best suited
for steeplechase racing. The average person most likely would not be able to
see any difference between an AQPS and a Thoroughbred as evolution of the breed
has resulted in AQPS horses today averaging 80 percent Thoroughbred and 20
percent French saddle-bred.
Probably the best-known AQPS horse in the world is Al Capone
II, who won the Group One Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in 1997 plus seven
consecutive Group One Prix La Haye Jousselin steeplechase races at Auteuil
Hippodrome from 1993 through 1999. His full brother The Fellow won the Prix La
Haye Jousselin in 1990, the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in 1991 and enjoyed
even greater success in England where he won the King George VI Chase in 1991
and 1992 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1994.
Mon Mome, winner of the Grand National in 2009, is an AQPS
horse, as is Orphée des Blins, winner of The Grand Pardubice Steeplechase 2012,
2013 and 2014.
About Autre Que Pur Sang Horses
