At 65-years old, Fernand Leredde, founder of the Haras des Rouges, close to St-Lo, father of Xavier (international rider), is unanimously considered to be the most successful French breeder of sport horses.
Discoverer of Jalisco and owner of Papillon Rouge, one of the most promising Jalisco sons who is in great demand, Fernand Leredde is also the breeder of the Olympic horse Rochet M (formerly Rochet Rouge), who won the individual bronze medal with Alexandra Ledermann. This Normandy man is also at the head of a list of breeders who receive bonuses for their success, subsidised by the Minister of Agriculture. The suffix ÔRougeÕ is also associated with such performers as Un Espoir E (Fort National xx), team gold medal with Michel Roche, Montreal Ô76; Faon Rouge (Nankin SF) sold as a three-year old to Alwin Schockemohle, then ridden internationally by Nelson Pessoa; Eole XXI (Tigre Rouge), who had a very good career in Italy; Nuage Rouge( Turner xx) puissance winner with Patrice Delaveau; Océan Rouge (Furiel de Baugy); Quita la Rouge (Jouventur); Qualoubet Rouge (Galoubet A); Quissor Rouge (Kougloff II) etc ... The result of a 25-year labour of passion, from thirty or so brood mares and their progeny, bred in an extensive way, but always with a vision and a tenacity that Fernand Leredde describes with one word - conviction.
... Q Fernand, if one tells you that you are one of the most successful breeders in Europe, how do you feel about this compliment?
A ItÕs difficult to say. I believe that there are many other success stories. What are the criteria? ItÕs true that when one considers what I have invested and the duration of the investment, a might more than 25 years, the success of Rouge pleases me. But I think that Leon Melchior or Paul Schockemohle could claim the same type of satisfaction because the meaning of the investment is obviously different for each one, depending upon the initial possibilities.
Q In your opinion, what is a good stallion?
A One cannot speak of a stallion until one has tested his descendants. Before that, one can say anything! Having said that, how many of the great performers are deceased? And how many of the lesser performance horses have come from excellent progenitors? In France, there are more than 1,000 stallions approved as public sires. DonÕt begin without making a first choice based upon knowledge of the results of the descendants - itÕs like playing a game of Russian roulette. I have done it myself. But now, I donÕt have anymore time and there is no more reason to do it. ...