194 A HISTORY OF THE PEECHERON HORSE 



tained a few blooded horses and demi-sangs. His 

 greatest work, however, was with his favorite Per- 

 cherons. Notwithstanding the celebrity of these as 

 fast travelers, it is important to note that while some 

 of his approved stallions are described as "trait 

 leger" (light draft), many others were distinctly 

 designated as of "draft" type. 



It is particularly fortunate that we have been 

 able to gather some authenticated facts concerning 

 Cheradame 's work. While his name and fame have 

 long been the subject of comment among later 

 French breeders, there has been until now nothing 

 available as to the actual material with which he 

 worked, aside from one mere incidental reference by 

 M. Du Hays, who in eulogizing Jean-le-Blanc, of 

 which more anon, says: "He was a Percheron, a 

 real Percheron, like the famous Toulouse of M. 

 Cheradame, for example." 



This successful breeder of the olden days first 

 appears in the government archives as owner of 

 Destampes, a dappled gray, described as "de car- 

 osse" — coach horse, probably of the post or dili- 

 gence stamp. This stallion was foaled in 1839 and 

 was approved for service during the seasons of 

 1845, 1846 and 1847. 



Toulouse, "The Ma^^niflcent." — As will presently 

 appear, the founders of the Percheron Stud Book of 

 France, following the lead of M. Du Hays, singled 

 out for special mention alone among all the great 

 stallions of the district that gave rise to the modem 

 Pei-cheron a horse called Jean-le-Blanc, claimed to 



