Maikel van der Vleuten and Kentucky TMS Z unbeatable in the Sires Of The World

The third day of 'The Zangersheide International' 2026 experienced its absolute apotheosis tonight with a wildly exciting and sensational Zangersheide Sires Of The World. The many spectators were once again on the edge of their seats and were treated to absolute top sport, competing at the cutting edge.

At the stroke of 21:00 tonight at Sentower Park, it was time for the prestigious Sires Of The World, which has long been one of the absolute highlights of the weekend. British course designer Raphael Suarez and his team had once again mapped out a masterful round for this 1.45m class and in which the level was sky-high. Of the thirty-three combinations that took their chances, just seventeen managed to secure a place in the decisive jump-off. In that jump-off, the riders pulled out all the stops with Dutch rider Maikel van der Vleuten and the 10-year-old stallion Kentucky TMS Z, a son of Kannan and Toulon bred by Tal Milstein, as the overall winners. Van der Vleuten and Kentucky TMS Z also managed to run their barrage round flawlessly and with a finishing time of 33.79 seconds they wrote this famous stallion class on their record!

^2nd place went to young Belgian rider Seppe Wouters, winner of the Sires Of The World at the 2025 edition. This time Wouters had the 10-year-old stallion Goldeneye Gem (Cicero Z x For Pleasure - breeder Elise Megret) under the saddle and was keen on another victory. However, after a clear round, the clock stopped in 33.81 seconds, with which he had to settle for the first place of honour this year.

The bronze stayed at home thanks to Christian Ahlmann and our 11-year-old stallion Dourkhan Hero Z (Don't Touch Tiji Hero x Zandor Z - breeder High Jumper Sprl). As the last combination at the start, Ahlmann and Dourkhan Hero Z made another ultimate attempt to knock van der Vleuten and Kentucky TMS Z off the throne, but in doing so they eventually finished in 33.98 seconds.

Just wide of the podium stranded Brazilian rider Marlon Modolo Zanotelli with the 9-year-old stallion Hermes Gem (Vagabond de la Pomme x Casall - breeder: Genevieve Megret), while Belgian rider Thibeau Spits and the 10-year-old stallion Jazzy des Dames (Emerald van 't Ruytershof x Calvaro F.C. - breeder: Haras Des Dames) took ^5th place.