Gribaldi Elite preferent KWPN stallion DIED 14-02-2010 sire of Moorlands Totilas

Only a few days after his official retirement and proclamation as preferent sire by the KWPN society at the 2010 KWPN Stallion Licensing on 5 February 2010, the 16-year old licensed Trakehner stallion Gribaldi passed away.

The black stallion suffered from a tear in his aorta and spent two days in the clinic fighting for his life. Unfortunately the highly decorated breeding stallion passed away on 14 February 2010.

"We just can"t believe it that this had to happen to him," said a saddened Edward Gal, who rode Gribaldi at FEI level. "You will always be in our heart. Rest in peace, sweet Gribaldi."

Gribaldi was bred by Marika Werner in Germany and was out of elite mare Gondola II. He sold as a foal to Otto Langels, who presented him at the Trakehner Stallion Licensing in 1995. The colt then sold at auction for 300,000 DM (150,000 euro) to Dutch stallion owners Joop van Uytert and Rinus de Jong. In 1996 Gribaldi was approved by the KWPN society. 

Gribaldi was proclaimed Elite Stallion by the Trakehner society in 2003 and keur stallion by the KWPN society in 2004. In 2008 he was Trakehner Stallion of the Year. Of 707 KWPN registered Gribaldi mares, at least 332 received the star predicate. He sired Grand Prix horses and Dutch A-team horses Totilas, Sisther de Jeu and Painted Black. He produced 16 licensed offsping!

His last ride  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5hst1bh8qk