Tourbillon (horse)

Tourbillon (1928–1954) was an French Thoroughbred racehorse and Champion sire.

Background

Tourbillon was bred and raced by one of France's most prominent horsemen, Marcel Boussac. Tourbillon was sired by Ksar, a back-to-back winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Leading sire in France in 1931 whose own sire, Bruleur, won the 1913 Grand Prix de Paris and was the Leading sire in France in 1921, 1924, and 1929. Tourbillon's dam, Durban, was an outstanding runner who won several top races in France which are now Group One events. Damsire, Durbar won England's Epsom Derby in 1914.

Racing career

Tourbillon was a winner of a French Classic at age three, the Prix du Jockey Club, and the now Group One Prix Lupin at age four.

Stud career

Tourbillon became the foundation stallion for Marcel Boussac's Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard at Neuvy-au-Houlme in Lower Normandy. A sire of sires, Tourbillon was the Leading sire in France in 1940, 1942, 1945. Among his progeny were:

• Goya (b. 1934) - won Gimcrack Stakes, St. James's Palace Stakes, Prix Boiard, two-time Leading sire in France
• Djebel (b.1937) - won 2,000 Guineas Stakes, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, two-time Leading sire in France
• Coaraze (b.1942) - won Prix du Jockey Club, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Prix d'Ispahan (2x)
• Ambiorix (b. 1946) - French Champion Two-Year-Old Colt, won Grand Criterium, Prix Lupin

Some of Tourbillon's offspring, particularly through his grandson, My Babu, were successful competitors in show jumping, dressage, and three-day event disciplines.

Pedigree

References

• Tourbillon's pedigree and partial racing stats
• Tourbillon's full prifile at Thoroughbred Heritage