'They're probably the finest group of stallions we've ever stood'

The arrival of a charismatic Classic winner in Logician has heralded a new era for Peter Hockenhull's Shade Oak Stud, an operation famed for its handling of stallions such as Gunner B, Alflora, Fair Mix and Black Sam Bellamy, and which can now boast a powerful trio of exciting young sires by three of the world's best stallions.

Logician, who has joined Dartmouth and Telescope on the roster at the Shropshire stud, is one of the most exciting National Hunt stallions in Britain. And in a set-up where Hockenhull and wife Emma handle the day-to-day running of the farm alongside a small number of long-serving and loyal stud hands, the arrival of the Juddmonte homebred has meant both opportunity and more hard work in store.

"It probably means lots more work for the next ten years in effect, but we always try to stand stallions by great sires and we’re very lucky to have Telescope, who’s by Galileo, and Dartmouth, who’s by Dubawi," says Hockenhull.