Walzertakt, a Group-winning son of Montjeu, to stand at Chapel Stud for 2022

Walzertakt, a Group-winning son of Montjeu and a half-brother to German Derby winner Wiener Walzer, has been recruited to Chapel Stud's roster as a National Hunt sire on behalf of Simon Davies.

In a deal brokered by Richard Venn, the 12-year-old will join Planteur, responsible for top-class stayer Trueshan, and fellow new recruit Bangkok at the Worcestershire Stud, with his first crop of four-year-olds set to run next year.

Walzertakt was a high-class stayer in France, winning the Prix Maurice de Nieuil and Prix Gladiateur for Jean-Pierre Carvalho during a 21-race career. He also placed a further three times in black-type races.

Bred by Gestut Schlenderhahn, Walzertakt is bred on the same cross as Camelot, being out of the Kingmambo mare Walzerkoenigin, a dual Group 2 winner who was also second in the Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes. A champion older mare in Germany, she hails from the family of top-level winners Providential, Play It Safe and Saratoga Springs.

Venn said: “Walzertakt is a very interesting addition to the National Hunt stallion ranks, being bred on exactly the same cross as Camelot.

"Added to that he hails from a strong black-type family with a German connection, and his late half-brother Wiener Walzer is the sire of Grade 1 winner Adagio. I loved his foals and he has young horses with all the right trainers in France, they didn’t really want to see him go!”

Chapel Stud director Roisin Close said: “Walzertakt is a big, strong, good-looking horse - a typical stamp of his sire Montjeu. His pedigree is rapidly turning into a German masterclass of breeding, full of champions and Group 1 winners of the highest and toughest calibre.

"For stamina and quality, you really don’t need to look any further. Simon and Richard have completed a very impressive trifecta with his addition to the stallion roster, we really do have a stallion to complement every mare!"

Simon Davies added: “I'm extremely excited to have secured Walzertakt, who has a proven stallion pedigree being by Montjeu out of a Kingmambo mare and will provide National Hunt breeders in Britain with the chance of using this cross.

"He also complements my other stallions; Planteur, who has winners most days led by the incredible Trueshan, and Bangkok, an extremely well-bred son of Australia and tremendously tough racehorse.

"With the three stallions all standing at Chapel Stud, this gives British breeders great quality and choice for their mares without wading through the issues that Brexit has thrown up."

Walzertakt’s stud fee and terms will be set at a later date.

Read more

Boltaway brings 400,000gns on day three of Autumn Horses in Training Sale

No Risk At All fee increased while Technician adds strength to Montaigu roster

'The long and short of it is they have to win - if they don’t, you're buggered' (£)

Record Autumn Horses in Training Sale trade topped by 700,000gns Grocer Jack