Gold Cup-winning breeder Mayoh extends Telescope support

Bryan Mayoh, who bred Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sizing John with ex-wife Sandra, is putting all his eggs in one basket when it comes to his matings this year.

All 11 mares owned or part-owned by the keen statistician will be covered by Telescope, who is standing his second season at Shade Oak Stud in Shropshire.

Mayoh owns an interest in the Great Voltigeur Stakes and Hardwicke Stakes winner, who also finished second in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He admitted the approach is risky but in the best interests of the young stallion.

“Federico Tesio, probably the greatest thoroughbred breeder in history, never kept a stallion, selling such as Nearco and Donatello abroad, in part because keeping one would affect his objective assessment of matings,” Mayoh said. “Accordingly, doing as I am is probably a bad idea and I might never breed another good horse. However, the odds are against that anyway.”

Mayoh went on to explain why he is placing his faith in Telescope in particular.

“My logic in sending all these mares to him is principally that I am trying to give him the best possible chance as a stallion because I believe in him,” he said.

“Making sure he gets good mares – as Kayf Tara did when foot and mouth prevented the best British ones going to Ireland in 2001 – does that. If he doesn't succeed then it won't be for want of opportunity.

“However, he was a top-class middle-distance horse, which most of the best jumps sires are; his temperament is good, and his foals are already showing a lot of boldness and a touch of wilfulness, which Sizing John had as a foal; and his conformation is excellent and suited to most mares.”

Mayoh's troop of mares heading to Telescope are headed by La Perrotine, a daughter of Northern Crystal who is the dam of Sizing John, and Batoutahell and La Doelenaise, half-sisters to the Cheltenham hero by King's Theatre.

They also include Senorita Rumbalita, a Grade 2-winning hurdler by Alflora; Tally Em Up, a dual Grade 3-winning chaser by Flemensfirth; and Laetitia, a Grade 3 scorer both over hurdles and fences by Priolo.

Also set to be covered by Telescope are Sierra, a daughter of Anabaa who is the dam of Champion Hurdle Trial winner Songe; Just Kate, a Bob's Return mare who produced Listed bumper and hurdle scorer The Govaness; and Ancora, an Accordion half-sister to top-class chasers Carlingford Lough and Thisthatandtother.

“I bought five of the above mares especially to be mated with Telescope,” said Mayoh. “All five suit him; they were either decent racehorses or have already produced good horses, which my stats tell me are by far the most important things in a broodmare – if they're also by a good broodmare sire that helps too, and four of them are.

"So hopefully I won't screw up too much by going the opposite way to Tesio, the greatest thoroughbred breeder of all time!”

Telescope stands at a fee of £3,000 and covered 130 mares in his first season at stud last year.