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The French stud France Étalons has announced that the Selle Français stallion Luccianno (Burggraaf x Almé) has passed away at the age of 26. “With great sadness, we say goodbye to one of the flagship stallions of the Haras Nationaux and later France Haras,” the statement reads.
Luccianno was born at Bruno Chassaing’s breeding farm, La Massuère, and was the result of the cross between Burggraaf and Away Pierreville, herself a descendant of the legendary stallion Almé. From a young age, Luccianno formed a partnership with Nicolas Delmotte that would eventually shine at the highest level.
Thanks to the black stallion, the rider from northern France was able to break through to the top and represent the French team at 5* level for the first time. The duo contributed to France’s victory in the Nations Cup at the CSIO 4*-W in Prague in 2008, as well as wins at the CSIO 5* events in St. Gallen and Rome in 2010. They also won the 3* Grand Prix in Hardelot fifteen years ago, just weeks before finishing sixth in the 5* Grand Prix in La Baule. In total, the stallion earned over €310,000 in prize money throughout his career.
While competing, he was also available for breeding with fresh semen, covering over a hundred mares annually for six consecutive years. His offspring proved competitive, with nearly a quarter achieving a jumping or eventing index above 120. However, his most successful progeny gained recognition mainly abroad. Among them were Chanel du Calvaire, runner-up at the Canadian Championships and successful in 5* Grand Prix with François Lamontagne; Univers du Vinnebus, team silver medalist at the European Young Riders Championship with Zoé Conter; and Luchino, who placed in 4* Grand Prix classes with Sergio Álvarez Moya.
After semi-retiring from sport, Luccianno left the competition ring in 2011 after the CSI 3* in Montpellier, fully dedicating himself to breeding from 2012 onwards. In 2015, he was entrusted to France Étalons.