AQPS
Encyclopedia
AQPS translated as "Other than thoroughbred", is a general term used in France
to refer to horses not listed as Thoroughbred
s. Anglo-Arabian
s, Selle Français (or French Riding Horse), and French Trotters plus all other crossbreds can be qualified as AQPS. For racing purposes, each breed has its own studbook. The designation usually means one parent is not listed in the Thoroughbred
stud book and almost always applies to those horses with Selle Francais breeding in the dam
line.
The AQPS racing breed 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.
The Association des Eleveurs d'AQPS is a member partner in the French Racing and Breeding Committee (FRBC).
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.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to refer to horses not listed as Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s. Anglo-Arabian
Anglo-Arabian
The Anglo-Arabian or Anglo-Arab is a crossbred horse that now also has its own status as a horse breed. It is a Thoroughbred crossed with an Arabian. The cross can be made between a Thoroughbred stallion and an Arabian mare, or vice-versa...
s, Selle Français (or French Riding Horse), and French Trotters plus all other crossbreds can be qualified as AQPS. For racing purposes, each breed has its own studbook. The designation usually means one parent is not listed in the Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
stud book and almost always applies to those horses with Selle Francais breeding in the dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
line.
The AQPS racing breed developed around the end of the 19th century when French farmers began to cross cart horse mares
Mare (horse)
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine.In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse age three and younger. However, in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old; in harness racing a mare is a...
with Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
stallions
Stallion (horse)
A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded .Stallions will follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" neck, as well as a somewhat more muscular physique as compared to...
to produce a fast and hardy horse that has proven to be best suited for steeplechase
Steeplechase (horse racing)
The steeplechase is a form of horse racing and derives its name from early races in which orientation of the course was by reference to a church steeple, jumping fences and ditches and generally traversing the many intervening obstacles in the countryside...
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.
The Association des Eleveurs d'AQPS is a member partner in the French Racing and Breeding Committee (FRBC).
Probably the best-known AQPS horse in the world is Al Capone II
Al Capone II
Al Capone II is a French Autre Que Pur-Sang steeplechaser. Sired by the Selle Francais jumper, Italic, and out of the mare L'Oranaise, he is a full brother to The Fellow who won the 1991 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, the 1991 & 1992 King George VI Chase, and the 1994 Cheltenham Gold Cup.Al...
, who won the Group One
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris
Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris
The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris is a Group 1 steeplechase in France which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Auteuil over a distance of 5,800 metres , and during its running there are twenty-three fences to be jumped...
in 1997 plus seven consecutive Group One Prix La Haye Jousselin
Prix La Haye Jousselin
The Prix La Haye Jousselin is a Group 1 steeplechase in France which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Auteuil over a distance of 5,500 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in November....
steeplechase races at Auteuil Hippodrome
Auteuil Hippodrome
The Auteuil Hippodrome is a horse racing venue on Route des Lacs in Paris, France. The 33-hectare race course opened November 1, 1873...
from 1993 through 1999. His full brother The Fellow
The Fellow
The Fellow was an AQPS top-class National Hunt racehorse in the early 1990s. He won the 1994 Cheltenham Gold Cup and narrowly lost the 1991 and 1992 renewals. He also won the 1991 and 1992 King George VI Chase and the 1991 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. Along with Mandarin he is one of only two...
won the Prix La Haye Jousselin
Prix La Haye Jousselin
The Prix La Haye Jousselin is a Group 1 steeplechase in France which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Auteuil over a distance of 5,500 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in November....
in 1990, the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris
Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris
The Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris is a Group 1 steeplechase in France which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Auteuil over a distance of 5,800 metres , and during its running there are twenty-three fences to be jumped...
in 1991 and enjoyed even greater success in England where he won the King George VI Chase
King George VI Chase
The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there are eighteen fences to be jumped...
in 1991 and 1992 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
in 1994.
Mon Mome, winner of The Grand National in 2009, is an AQPS horse.