Who are the approved sons of today’s top sires?

The breeding season is well underway, but choosing the right stallion for your mare remains one of the most important decisions for every breeder. While proven performance remains essential, one trend becomes increasingly clear in modern breeding: the greatest stallions are no longer only producing top sport horses — they are becoming true sires of sires.

Looking at the current Hippomundo sire ranking based on offspring earnings, it becomes obvious that the strongest bloodlines continue to dominate generation after generation. Even more interesting is the quality of their approved sons competing at the highest level.

The current top 10 sires in the world

Certified by Hippomundo © 2026

What immediately stands out is that several of these sires already appear again further down the list through their own sons. This perfectly illustrates how the strongest modern bloodlines keep reproducing themselves at the very highest level.

Cornet Obolensky: the ultimate sire of sires?

At the top of the rankings stands the legendary Cornet Obolensky, whose influence on modern breeding is almost impossible to overestimate. Not only are his offspring dominating international sport, but his approved sons are now shaping the next generation as well.

His top three approved sons are nothing short of spectacular:

• Cornado NRW — HLR 133 — €1,120,210 — 1.65m
• Balou du Reventon Z — HLR 130 — €2,373,974 — 1.65m
• Comme il Faut — HLR 127 — €1,579,132 — 1.65m

Kannan continues to guarantee reliability

Few stallions combine longevity and consistency like Kannan. Year after year, his offspring continue to deliver at championship level. His strongest approved sons include:

• Quabri de l’Isle — HLR 123 — €1,206,823 — 1.70m
• Sunshine du Phare — HLR 102 — €267,037 — 1.60m
• Padock du Plessis — HLR 94 — €48,410 — 1.60m

The liver chestnut Quabri de l’Isle especially became one of the most respected championship horses of his generation thanks to his incredible scope and consistency.

Diamant de Semilly confirms his dynasty

When discussing modern breeding dynasties, Diamant de Semilly remains unavoidable. His offspring continue to dominate both sport and breeding. His top approved sons include:

• Don VHP Z — HLR 135 — €2,166,628 — 1.65m
• Emerald — HLR 131 — €1,042,333 — 1.60m
• Dominator 2000 Z — HLR 129 — €1,356,186 — 1.65m

What makes this even more impressive is the rise of Emerald and Dominator themselves as top sires. Once again, we see how elite genetics continue to reproduce themselves generation after generation.

Chacco Blue: quality over quantity

Although Chacco Blue had a more limited direct production than some rivals, the quality of his approved sons remains extraordinary. His leading approved sons are:

• Chacco Blue II — HLR 122 — €845,405 — 1.65m
• Chaqui Z — HLR 121 — €766,848 — 1.70m
• Chaclot — HLR 97 — €179,709 — 1.65m

The exceptional carefulness and modern blood that Chacco Blue passes on continue to make him one of the most influential sires in the world.

Comme il Faut: from superstar son to elite sire

One of the most fascinating stories in the ranking is undoubtedly Comme il Faut. Previously highlighted as one of Cornet Obolensky’s greatest sons, he now already stands fifth among the world’s best sires. His top approved sons are:

• Quito de Mariposa — HR 85p — €95,019 — 1.60m
• Comthago VDL — HR 84p — €182,320 — 1.60m
• Cazan Z — HR 74 — €59,396 — 1.60m

The rapid rise of Comme il Faut proves once again how powerful the Cornet Obolensky bloodline truly is.

Toulon’s incredible depth

Ranked sixth, Toulon perhaps possesses one of the deepest collections of approved sons in modern breeding. His top performers include:

• Vancouver de Lanlore — HLR 127 — €964,713 — 1.70m
• Toys — HR 97p — €431,898 — 1.60m
• Dieu-Merci van T&L Z — HLR 87 — €308,817 — 1.60m
• Touardo Blue Z — HR 78 — €114,893 — 1.60m
• F One USA — HR 62 — €347,579 — 1.65m
• Etoulon VDL — HLR 54 — 1.60m

The sheer diversity in Toulon’s offspring demonstrates why breeders worldwide continue to trust the Belgian stallion.

Emerald and Vigo d’Arsouilles continue the Belgian influence

Emerald’s rise as a sire is another striking example of how elite sport stallions become breeding phenomena. His leading approved sons are:

• El Barone 111 Z — HLR 73 — 1.60m
• Ely des Rosiers Z — HR 68p — 1.60m
• Jazzy des Dames — HR 67 — 1.60m

Meanwhile, Vigo d’Arsouilles also continues to produce outstanding approved sons:

• Vagabond de la Pomme — HLR 124 — €796,579 — 1.60m
• Golden Hawk — HLR 114 — €304,961 — 1.65m
• Minute Man — HLR 86 — €125,793 — 1.60m

The strongest bloodlines keep reproducing themselves

One major conclusion stands out from the current rankings: modern breeding is increasingly dominated by dynasties.

Cornet Obolensky produces Comme il Faut. Diamant de Semilly produces Emerald. Emerald becomes a top sire himself. Vigo d’Arsouilles produces Vagabond de la Pomme. The same elite bloodlines continue to return at the very highest level of both sport and breeding.

For breeders searching for proven genetics, the approved sons overview on Hippomundo remains one of the most valuable tools available — not only to identify successful sport stallions, but to discover the next generation of influential sires. You can find the full ranking here.