Cobra 18 received an impressive overall jumping score of 8.81 in his 30-day stallion test with the ZfdP studbook in Germany. He has been awarded Approved Stallion status with the Anglo European Studbook (AES) and is registered with Horse Sport Ireland (green book eligible).

Now under Irish ownership and standing in Ireland at Drumhowan Stud for the coming breeding season, Cobra 18 has excellent fertility and combines genetic excellence with his own proven performance. Fresh semen is available from Drumhowan Stud, with frozen semen available at several stations throughout the UK and Europe

Cobra 18 covered a limited number of mares as a 4yo before concentrating on his own show jumping career, until a career ending injury in 2014 forced his retirement to stud. During this time, he jumped to international 150 level, but what was the sports’ loss is the breeders gain.

We often hear legendary breeders emphasising the importance of the dam, saying that it is the damline that is all important in sport horse breeding and Cobra 18 is blessed to be the son of a famous damline. 
His dam – Ranaschun – is a daughter of Ramiro Z, himself a famous international competitor and also sire of countless Grand Prix jumpers, including Ludger Beerbaum’s renowned Ratina Z. Cobra 18 benefits from double Ramiro Z genes – in addition to being his damsire, Ramiro Z also comes through from Cornet Obolensky, in his granddam’s sire, Randel Z. Ranaschun is a full sister to the licensed stallion Rodney, who competed under Fritz Ligges (Germany) on the International Circuit, enjoying many Grand Prix and Nation’s Cups wins.

Ranashun produced 11 foals, including 5 licensed stallions and sport horses that have won in S-Level show jumping (Germany’s highest level of national competition, with fence heights up to 1.55m), passing on her performance genes to her daughters and granddaughters. Her offspring are also producing successful competition horses, proving that her exceptionally competitive damline, originating from Hannover Stamm 461 and passed on from her legendary foundation dam, Usch, continues to dominate today. This includes Cornet’s Gold 2 (Kyle Timm, CAN, 1.55), Miss Fritz (Tim Stockdale, GB, 1.45) and Phoenix L (Dan Jocelyn, NZL, CCI4*).

Cobra 18 is a product of the proven magic mix of Cornet Obolensky x Ramiro Z, as seen in Comme Il Faut (Marcus Ehning GER), Conte Bellini (Kristaps Neretnieks LAT) and Corneta (Zuzana Zelinkova CZE). However, Cobra 18’s breeding line goes further again and also includes, from his granddam, Usch, the essential infusion of thoroughbred blood from Usurpator xx, a necessary genetic addition for today’s modern sport horse.

Cobra 18’s granddam, Usch, by the thoroughbred Usurpator xx, was a successful performance horse in the sport and following her competition career, she was retained by Gestut Ligges for breeding.

The combination of Cobra 18’s sire and dam has resulted in a fantastic, competitive gene pool, demonstrated by his offspring competing in the sport. Currently the most notable Cobra 18 sired competitor is the 10 year old Dublin (Cobra 18 X Calido), who is proving to be a serious talent. Having made his 1.60m debut last year with Carly Anthony of Team Eric Lamaze, Dublin is now under the new ownership of Team USA’s and current World No. 2 Kent Farrington.

Another is Congstar, (Cobra 18 x Boreas), produced in young horse classes by Tim Rieskamp-Goedeking (GER) with great success in young horse classes and now ridden by a junior rider. Cobra 18 has also been chosen for the breeding programmes of many top international competitors and top breeders.

“Cobra 18 has everything I look for in a top-class sport horse stallion – impeccable breeding, proven ability to the highest level and offspring already proving to be of world-class standard. The combination of Coronet Obolensky and Ramiro Z is a Showjumpers dream and I also love the fact that he is 49% TB, so will also carry through the speed and stamina required to win at the highest level. I’m really looking forward to seeing my Cobra 18 foal this year!” ~ Jessica Mendoza – Team GB, Rio 2016.