In the north of Portugal, far from the traditional center of the Lusitano breeding world, Francisco has quietly built a breeding program based on discipline, knowledge and strict selection criteria. As both a veterinarian and breeder, he represents Casa Agricola Irlanda Saraiva—a stud farm that over the past two decades has developed a clear and focused breeding direction.
“I represent a small stud farm in the north of Portugal. I’m also a veterinarian and over the years we’ve had some breeding success.”
— Francisco
Taking responsibility for a breeding program
Francisco did not originally start the breeding project himself. The farm came into the family through inheritance, and at that moment he had to make an important decision about its future.
“A few years ago, my wife’s family inherited the breeding farm. Before that it had been managed by the late Mr Manuel Saraiva with the help of a very important figure in the Lusitano world, Mr. Francisco Sousa Cardoso.”
At that point, Francisco had already been working as a veterinarian for the farm. But once the responsibility for the breeding program fell into his hands, he realized that continuing without a clear direction was impossible.
“I had to make a big decision. Either this breeding program had to become a professional and profitable operation, or it would have to stop. A stud farm is a heavy project in people’s lives.”
The solution was to establish extremely strict breeding criteria.
“I became very demanding in the selection criteria. The selection level had to be very high, because we are located in the north, far from the traditional Lusitano breeding centers. So either we produced very high quality horses, or the project would not survive.”
Nearly twenty years later, the results confirm that those difficult decisions were the right ones. “It has been a very interesting journey,” he says. “And I’m very happy with the results.”
Figueiras as a reference
Throughout his career, Francisco has closely followed the development of the Figueiras breeding program, which he considers one of the most important references in modern Lusitano sport breeding.
“I’ve known the Figueiras breeding program since the beginning of my career. They do a wonderful job and their breeding criteria are amazing. They are really excellent in their purpose of using the Lusitano horse as a sport horse. That motivates me a lot.”
Still, he emphasizes that breeders should not simply copy other programs.
“You can never copy another breeder. If you become a copy, you will never be better than them. But you can use them as a reference while building your own identity.”
Opening and closing bloodlines
Francisco’s breeding program is built around a carefully developed bloodline that he has maintained for many years. But even within a focused breeding strategy, introducing new genetics is sometimes necessary.
“When you work on a single bloodline for a long time, eventually you must open it again with other bloodlines. You introduce new qualities from another line, and then you start working again to refine your own line.”
Today, that cycle has led him back to the Figueiras stallions.
Choosing the Figueiras stallions
Francisco recently introduced Figueiras bloodlines into his breeding program again.
“I have one mare bred to Queluz das Figueiras, and this year I will also use Oscar das Figueiras. I absolutely loved Dragão, and I believe that this bloodline will improve the quality of the gaits and also certain anatomical aspects that I want to improve in my horses.”
In particular, he is looking to strengthen specific physical characteristics.
“The Dragão line transmits strong withers and powerful shoulders. That is something I want to introduce more into my breeding program.”
Advice for young breeders
With decades of experience as both veterinarian and breeder, Francisco has a clear message for people starting their own breeding programs.
“First you must accumulate knowledge. When you accumulate knowledge and experience, you start to understand where to go with your breeding program. But even that is not enough. You must also have resilience. Things will never go exactly as you planned in breeding.”
Perhaps the hardest part of breeding, according to him, is making objective decisions.
“When foals are born, you must be very strict in your selection. You must put your heart aside and work with your brain.”
Horses that made an impression
Over the years, several Figueiras horses have impressed him.
“I loved how the mare Batuta performed. She was an extraordinary horse. Craque is also an absolutely amazing horse. Today, I’m very interested in the careers of the grandsons now, like Queluz and Oscar. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they will achieve.”
Contact us for information
We will contact you personally.
