Crystal De Roche - What Did He Look Like?

I get quite a few requests daily from people wanting to know if I can help them find out a little bit more about their OTTBs history and racing career. So many people would love to see racing photos of their horses, which unfortunately are only ever taken of winning horses. The next best thing would be to see what their sire, dam sire, and occasionally if we get lucky, the dam herself, look like.

This week I have had a few requests for photos of Crystal De Roche (GB). Born in 1983, this flashy UK born chestnut stallion stood 16.1hh. He stood at Dr Alan King's farm, Kingswood Stud. He was by Kris, the very fashionable son of Sharpen Up, and his dam Crystal Queen had produced Greinton (a Grade 1 winner in the USA), and Crystal De Roche and Kailas, who both won Graded races in France.

In the transient world of breeding stallions, Crystal De Roche was a successful producer on the racetracks. He stood at stud from 1988 to 2001, producing 416 foals, of which 342 were runners, 179 were winners, with 7 individual Stakes winners, and 11 Stakes placed progeny. His best performed progeny included: Might Crystal (6 wins), Bold Jewel (7 wins), Sparkling Tandy (6 wins), Crystal's Garter (7 wins), Big Fling (7 Wins), Swarovski (7 wins) (Source: www.aro.co.za )

Personally, I think he is one of the most beautiful stallions that we have had stand here in South Africa. I am not aware of any of his progeny reaching the very top levels of non-racing sports, but please send me some info on any that you know of that have achieved at top level. He was hugely popular as an OTTB sire for riding horses, especially in Kwa-Zulu Natal, where he stood at stud. his progeny were well conformed and had superb temperaments!

Here are some of his stud promotions from the South African Racehorse Magazine (circa 1987/ 1988). Click on the photos for a closer view: