In international show jumping, results rarely come from a single horse. Behind many successful Grand Prix horses lies a strong dam line that continues to produce quality generation after generation. For this overview we look at the mares with the highest number of offspring performing at black type level. We distinguish between the older generation of broodmares and those born after 2000 whose influence is still very visible today.
Notably, several mares born after 2000 have already claimed a place among the most influential dam lines. Their offspring and grandchildren are still competing at the highest level, meaning their influence is likely to grow in the coming years.
Cordula de Laubry: a modern foundation mare
At the top of the ranking is Cordula de Laubry (For Pleasure x Darco) with no fewer than 36 offspring, 17 of which are black type. That makes her not only the highest-ranked mare in this overview, but also one of the most interesting examples of a modern and extremely influential foundation mare.
Her influence appears through several successful descendants. Among others, Fantomas de Muze, Lector Vd Bisschop, Brooklyn Heights and Qosito van de Koekoek descend directly from her. That is why Cordula’s name appears in several important contemporary sport and breeding lines.
Her high position also shows how quickly a mare can become influential and cement her place in show-jumping history when multiple offspring and subsequent generations prove themselves at international level.
The big names from classic breeding
Although Cordula de Laubry leads the ranking, the upper regions are otherwise mainly populated by mares whose influence has been proven for many years.
Fragance de Chalus (Jalisco B x Fury de la Cense) ranks second with 13 black type offspring out of 47 in total, while Wendelina 't Merelsnest (Darco x Hedjaz) follows in third place. Fragance de Chalus, in particular, has become a household name in international breeding and is the root of several successful sport and stallion lines.
In fourth we find Ueleme (Nelfo du Mesnil x Pontecoulant), followed by Narcotique de Muze II (Darco x Chin Chin). The latter is again a name closely linked to the successful Muze breeding and several generations of international show-jumping horses.
La Mare (Apache d'Adriers x Uriel), Sophie du Chateau (Galoubet A x Cor de Chasse) and Quick Lady (Quilot Z x Filius) also belong to the older generation that still appears in countless pedigrees today.
Young mares already making their mark
Perhaps the most interesting development in the ranking is the presence of several mares born after 2000. Their influence is still relatively young, but their offspring and wider relatives are already visible in top sport.
A striking example is Exellentia de Muze (For Pleasure x Darco), born after 2000 and seventh in the ranking with 32.4% black type offspring. She produced no fewer than twelve offspring who reached black type level. One of her best-known foals is Heroïne de Muze. This is another dam line clearly still developing.
In ninth place is Centa de Muze (Cento x Nabab de Rêve). Her influence becomes even more impressive when we look beyond her direct offspring. She is the foundation mare of the well-known De Regor line, including Horizon de Regor, Roxanne de Regor, Toèmme de Regor Z and Toyboy de Regor. The Grand Prix horse Freestyle de Muze is also part of this family.
Another recent dam line is twelfth: Inathina van 't Ruytershof (For Pleasure x Diamant de Semilly). She achieves 31.3% black type offspring with 10 of 37 black type horses and is the dam of several well-known horses from the Van 't Ruytershof breeding, including Messi van 't Ruytershof, Luna van 't Ruytershof and Missouri van 't Ruytershof.
Café Crème (2004), fourteenth on the list, also deserves attention. This mare is at the root of the well-known De Hus and De Kreisker lines, which have played an important role throughout international show jumping.
Top 20 mares by number of black type offspring
Certified by Hippomundo © 2026
A dam line only truly matters across generations
The numbers make clear that an influential mare is more than the dam of one successful Grand Prix horse. The strongest lines continue through daughters, sons, grandchildren and wider relatives.
That is what makes the mares born after 2000 particularly interesting. Names like Cordula de Laubry, Exellentia de Muze, Centa de Muze and Inathina van 't Ruytershof have far from shown their full influence. Their offspring are active in sport today and their daughters are in turn used for breeding. The real impact of these modern foundation mares could therefore grow considerably in the years ahead.
