Christophe De Brabander and Avantea: When Genetics, Vision and Science Shape the Future of the Sport Horse
A family tradition looking ahead
“Avantea is not built on marketing, but on clear protocols, measurable results and published scientific research. For me, that is what truly makes the difference.”
Stal De Muze is not merely one of the best-known names in European breeding: it is a reality built over three generations of vision, selection and the ability to anticipate the future.
At the heart of this evolution stands Christophe De Brabander, a trained veterinarian and breeder by vocation, who grew up in the very centre of Belgian sport-horse breeding.
“I graduated as a veterinarian six years ago, but in truth I have grown up inside a stud farm. I represent the third generation of stallion owners and, together with my brothers, I have always been closely involved in the development of the stallion station founded by our parents. They have consistently believed in innovation: they were among the first to introduce diluted semen, frozen semen and, later on, to make embryo transfer available to a broader public.”
During his veterinary studies, precisely at the time when OPU-ICSI was beginning to emerge internationally, Christophe chose to orient his career towards assisted reproductive technologies.
“For my final thesis I focused specifically on OPU and ICSI. I visited several pioneering centres around the world and realised that these were not simply new technologies, but tools capable of fundamentally changing the way we think about sport-horse genetics.”
Maximising genetic potential: the true challenge for the modern breeder
For those operating at the top level of sport-horse breeding, good genetics represent the starting point, but they are never sufficient on their own.
“Following horses from the foal stage is essential. Offspring often tell us far more about their parents than pedigrees or competition results alone. Within our programme we breed around twenty foals per year, and the objective is to provide each of them with the best possible environment to express their full potential.”
According to Christophe, one of the main challenges lies in building a truly accurate picture of a mare’s genetic value.
“Of course you must look at both the maternal and paternal lines, but you must also be honest in analysing results. Genetics create the foundation, yet in the end it is the horses in the arena that confirm whether a decision was the right one.”
The key balance to be found—especially with high-level sport mares—is between athletic career and breeding strategy.
“Very often the question is not whether to breed, but when to breed and with which strategy.”
OPU-ICSI: a strategic tool, not an alternative
Avantea is today an international reference point for OPU-ICSI, yet for Christophe everything began during his university years.
“My first contact with the Avantea team happened while I was still studying. At that time we were collaborating with a stud farm close to their laboratories, which allowed us to gain direct experience. Over time we developed our own protocols and today we perform OPU directly in Belgium, while the oocytes are sent to Italy for ICSI and subsequent embryo development.”
What initially represented an experimental approach has now become routine.
“Today OPU-ICSI is part of our weekly work. We have moved from treating two or three mares per week to significantly higher numbers, which clearly demonstrates how reliable the technique has become.”
When and why to choose OPU-ICSI
Christophe emphasises that there is no competition between techniques: OPU-ICSI reaches its greatest value when the limits of traditional methods are encountered.
“I am thinking of older mares, very limited semen availability or stallions that are difficult to access. In these situations, OPU-ICSI allows us to continue working on genetics without compromising the mare’s sporting career.”
The value of collaboration with Avantea
At the core of the relationship with Avantea lies trust.
“My confidence comes from the people who lead the centre, Cesare Galli and Giovanna Lazzari. They have transformed what initially felt like the search for a rough diamond into an extremely reliable system.”
Christophe also underlines the importance of scientific solidity.
“Avantea is not built on marketing, but on clear protocols, measurable results and published studies. For me, that is what truly sets them apart.”
Looking to the future
According to Christophe, embryo transfer and OPU-ICSI will continue to develop side by side.
“I do not believe one technique will replace the other. Every case is different and requires a tailor-made solution.”
From his perspective, the future will be characterised by increasingly thoughtful decision-making.
“Breeders will need to consider not only genetics, but also ethical and economic aspects. The goal is not to use a technology simply because it exists, but because it is genuinely the right choice for that particular mare.”
A message to breeders
For owners of valuable sport mares, Christophe De Brabander has a clear message. “The most important thing is to surround yourself with the right people. Over time we have built a collaboration based on trust, and today I know I can rely completely on Avantea’s scientific expertise.”
He concludes: “OPU-ICSI should not be seen as a last resort, but as a strategic option to be considered at the right moment. With the right guidance, even the most complex reproductive challenges can become real opportunities.”
Alessandra Ceserani
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