King Kauto the undoubted star of the French influx of jumpers

1 The 'FR' symbol associated with French-bred jumpers has become a common sight on British and Irish racecards over the past 30 years. Many of those horses bought either at auction or privately are a breed developed in France specifically for jump racing. AQPS (Autre Que Pur-Sang) stands for non-thoroughbred and, while the official stud book dates only from 2005, the roots of the breeding programme go back much further.

AQPS breeders typically match thoroughbred stallions to mares that in part trace their roots to breeds such as Selle Francais (French saddle horse), sports horses and even trotters. The programme retains a high level of thoroughbred influence in any given mating and is designed to breed jumping ability and stamina into progeny.

Francois Doumen leads in The Fellow and Adam Kondrat after winning the 1994 Cheltenham Gold CupCredit: Gerry Cranham

2 Francois Doumen was the pioneer of running French jumps-bred horses in Britain and Ireland, landing the King George four times in eight years between 1987 and 1994 with Nupsala, The Fellow (twice) and Algan. All three geldings were non-thoroughbred. The Fellow also landed the Gold Cup in 1994, a feat matched since by French thoroughbreds Kauto Star (2007 and 2009) and Long Run (2011). The French government made Doumen an officer of the Order of Agricultural Merit in recognition of his efforts to promote the breed abroad.