The English Thoroughbred is bred for its speed in the Normandy stud farms such as the Étincelles in Mesnil-Simon. These horses are known for being agile, lively, and, above all, fast and intelligent. However, their sometimes testy and unpredictable character requires an experienced rider with a firm yet gentle hand. This racing ace is regarded as the top competitor in gallop races but is now also popular in other disciplines such as eventing horse riding (equestrian triathlon).