Darry Lou Z to Zangersheide for the 2025 breeding season

As the year comes to an end, Studfarm Zangersheide is thrilled to announce its first new stallion for the 2025 season with the iconic Darry Lou Z. With his brave heart and golden ‘lion manes’, Darry Lou Z has wowed the crowds and won hearts all over the world. A multiple Grand Prix and Nations Cup winner, including the prestigious $3 Million CN International Rolex Grand Prix in Spruce Meadows!

Origins and bloodlines

Born in the Netherlands in the stables  of Roelof Bril, Darry Lou is a son of Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve, out of the Grand Prix mare Venus, who in combination with Tangelo not only produced the spellbinding Darry Lou, but also his full sister Beat Me, who performed at 1.55m level with Chad Fellows and herself is dam of F One USA, seen at the highest level with Emily Moffitt, Ben Maher and Lorenzo de Luca. Darry Lou also has young up and coming siblings like Troy Z who as a foal was sold for record-breaking 127,000 euros at 2019 Zangersheide Quality Auction. Darry Lou’s grand-dam, Freelady (ex. Bollworm’s Burggravin), was highly successful under the saddle of Roelof Bril. Together they won the 1998 Amsterdam World Cup Grand Prix, they were finalists at the Gothenburg World Cup in 1999 and after her retirement she was the foundation of a breeding fairytale, famous for producing reliable horses with scope for the absolute top level who want to please their rider and fight in the ring!

A legendary career

Darry Lou has proved his name into showjumping history and soared to legendary status with an impressive list of victories in the world's largest and most prestigious arenas, he even earned the USEF International Horse of the Year award in 2019. What makes his story even more remarkable? He has achieved these triumphs with not just one, but three different riders!

Under Beezie Madden he won the $133,700 Tourmaline Oil Cup at the 2019 Spruce Meadows Masters in Calgary, claimed victory in the $3 million CN International Rolex Grand Prix in Spruce Meadows and secured a 6th place in the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen. In 2021, Darry Lou was sold to Jennifer Gates/Evergate Stables LLC, and returned to Spruce Meadows to triumph in the CSIO5* 1.55m CANA Cup, this time under rider Nayel Nassar.

Nayel Nassar’s praise

“It was a great joy and honor to campaign Darry Lou, despite our relatively short partnership. He has a remarkable personality, filled with a calm confidence and unwavering demeanor regardless of the task at hand. His unique mindset coupled with his athletic ability allowed him to truly thrive as a sport horse on some of the world’s biggest stages. I am very much looking forward to seeing him flourish in this next chapter of his career, and have no doubt he will continue to make us proud by passing on his exceptional genes to future generations.”

A return to Europe

In 2022, Darry Lou moved back to Europe to join Harrie Smolders’ stable, where he continued his impressive performances, including top ten finishes in Aachen and again in the 5* Grand Prix of Spruce Meadows.

Harrie Smolders:  “It has been a privilege to be one of Darry Lou's riders. To have him around and work with him every day was always a pleasure, his kindness but also his ability to listen to what the rider was trying to explain made him very unique and one of a kind. He will be missed by his fans all around the world for his empathy and particularly by our team as we felt a close bond and friendship with him. I will definitely remember his exuberance when we were out hacking - nothing could make him more happy, but he always behaved like a true gentleman. Now it's time for him to fully focus on his next chapter and save all those exceptional qualities for the upcoming generations. Best of luck Darry and thank you for all those beautiful memories.”

Owner Jennifer Gates Nassar of Evergate Stables about Darry Lou

 “It has been a privilege to have Darry Lou as part of the Evergate Stables team, and we are honored to be able to transition him from a remarkable sport career to his next chapter as a breeding stallion. His kind spirit and incredible ability bring joy to everyone who meets him. We are looking forward to seeing his legacy continue to evolve, and watching his progeny develop into the next generation of top sport horses.”

The future with Zangersheide

Judy Ann Melchior shares her excitement: “I have admired Darry Lou for a long time and I am thrilled to feature this iconic stallion in our stallion line-up! Not only is he a showjumping superstar, but also a golden opportunity for breeders, boasting exceptional valuable qualities and genetics.”

Breeding conditions

Darry Lou Z will be available at a stud fee of €1400, with a life foal guarantee. This year, those who cover their mare with Darry Lou Z will only have to pay the full amount upon the birth of a life foal in 2026!

We warmly invite anyone interested in seeing Darry Lou Z and all other stallions from Studfarm Zangersheide to Sentower Park in Oudsbergen on February 13th. The presentation starts at 20h00, and both entry and parking are free.