ONE of the world's best known showjumping thoroughbred sires - Julio Mariner is now represented locally thanks to the purchase of the Dutch-bred Sombrero by Team Round Thorn from Co Antrim.

Julio Mariner, sire of Michael Whitaker's Dinky Toy, Molly Ashe's Resolute, Bruce Goodin's Harley and Gerco Schroder's Eurocommerce Lima to name but a few have kept the former racehorse's bloodlines on the world stage.

When Julio Mariner died last year - little did anyone realise one of his best sons would come to stand and compete in Northern Ireland.

Sombrero, born in 1999, height 1.68m with 20.5cms of bone - will be one of the highlights of the Northern Ireland Stallion Parade at Necarne in two weeks time when he will show his movement, presence and jumping ability.

He competed in novice classes in the Netherlands before coming to Ireland last year. Since then he has competed at 1.20m and 1.30m level and this season is aimed at six year old classes and young rider events.

Team RoundThorn now makes Sombrero available to breeders through AI from Ballinteggart Stud, Portadown.

He was bred by Dutch vet, Jan Greve, joint owner of Voltaire at the De Watermolen equine clinic and stud in the Netherlands. Jan also bred the dam Felaleen who is by Le Mexico and a grand daughter of Voltaire. She features in the 'Leading Mares of the Netherlands' book.

Jan told Equestrian Life: "He is a young stallion full of potential. Very careful with quick reaction to a

fence. With his bloodlines he is sure to produce some very special offspring for the jumping sport. We have retained semen from him at De Watermolen."

"I believe in breeding you must set your goals and the less goals the quicker you reach your desire. For jumping horse breeding, your first choice must be pedigree, then jumping ability, followed by a good canter with a good reaction to the fence, being careful and showing scope etc."

Jan insists that conformation should be functional and allow the animal to show his performance. "The animal should be sound and healthy with good X-rays etc."

He added: "By being too fussy on conformation details you will never be able to select on jumping ability. So in that case you do not want

to breed a sport horse, but a ' perfect' conformation horse which is a totally different subject. Therefore, if you want to breed sport horses - you need to redirect your inspection list."

Julio Mariner was approved in seven studbooks including KWPN, Holstein, Hannover and Oldenburg following a successful racing career in England.

His technique, reflexes and alertness characterise both the jumping and manners of Julio Mariner and those of his offspring.

A full brother to Sombrero is competing on the US jumping circuit. Sombrero's dam Felaleen features as one of the leading mares of the Netherlands. Her half sister Kyraleen by Quidam de Revel was European Champion for Young Riders in 2003 and German National Champion for Young Riders the same year.

Half brother to Felaleen is Leendert, an approved stallion in Denmark. Kyraleen's son Pythagoras by Julio Mariner was approved by the KWPN and was one of the most impressive young stallions in Holland.

With Julio Mariner, Le Mexico, Voltaire, Amor and Lucky Boy in his pedigree, Julio Mariner will appeal to jumping and eventing breeders. Breeders have the option of and Irish Horse Borad or Anglo European Studbook passport. He has surpassed all his veterinary requirements for both studbooks, including KWPN and is EVA and OCD free.

Voltaire has more than 40 licensed sons and ranks amongs the best sires in the world.