‘It wasn’t an easy decision to stop’ - Skeltons cease Alne Park stallion operation

Alne Park Stud, the Warwickshire farm run by leading trainer Dan Skelton and his wife Grace, has become the latest British operation to cease standing jumps stallions. The stud was home to four sires during the latest breeding season, namely Dink, Midnights Legacy, Ocovango and Subjectivist. 

Expanding on the couple’s decision to wind up the stallion arm of the family run business, Dan Skelton said: “We’ve given up leasing a yard and we needed the stables, so basically something had to give. One of the yards on the stud is very close to the gallop, and we felt that it was appropriate to use that for the racehorses. 

“It’s been a pleasure standing the stallions and we’ve had a great time of it with lots of support. The British industry is short of support when it comes to National Hunt youngstock, I feel. We’ve given it a go but unfortunately we’re not in a position to carry that on.”

He added: “It wasn’t an easy decision to stop standing the stallions. We’ve stopped that, and cut back on some of the mares, but we fully intend to continue supporting, and being part of, the British National Hunt breeding industry, which needs all the help it can get.”

Grace Skelton: owner of Alne Park Stud Credit: Edward Whitaker

The move has seen Subjectivist make the switch to Roisin Close’s Chapel Stud in Worcestershire, where the dual Group 1 winner will stand alongside Bangkok, Eldar Eldarov, Hellvelyn and Planteur. 

“Subjectivist is going to a great place and his stock are absolute beauties,” said Skelton. “He’s got his first foals on the ground; they’re really nice foals and he’s stamped them really well. We’re all sure he’ll be a successful stallion.” 

Subjectivist won six races during his time in training with Mark Johnston, with his finest hour coming in the Gold Cup, which he won by an impressive five lengths. He made his top-flight breakthrough in the previous year’s Prix Royal-Oak. 

Close said: “I’m delighted to be able to stand Subjectivist on behalf of his owners. To add another Group 1 winner of his calibre to our roster is tremendously exciting for Chapel Stud, and for British breeders. He was a truly exceptional racehorse – tough, talented, and consistent – and he has all the attributes to make a top-class stallion.”

Dan Skelton: "We fully intend to continue supporting, and being part of, the British National Hunt breeding industry."Credit: Edward Whitaker

Weatherbys records show that Subjectivist covered 33 mares in 2024, and early returns stand at 26 for 2025. 

Close acknowledged that the circumstances leading to Subjectivist’s arrival at Chapel Stud are very much a sign of the times. 

“These are difficult times for British breeders,” she said. “Like many of you, I face rising costs while the market return stands still. Too many breeders are selling at a loss, cutting back on coverings, or walking away altogether. That threatens not only individual businesses but the future of British breeding.

“The same applies to British stallion farms. Each time we lose a stallion overseas, or a stallion farm closes, the whole industry loses choice and opportunity. Supporting your local stallions is about more than this season’s results — it’s about safeguarding diversity and ensuring a strong future for British breeding. 

“We need to support each other; by working together, breeders and stallion farms alike can protect what makes our industry world-class.” 

Skelton added that Dink will remain at Alne Park, while Midnights Legacy has relocated to Batsford Stud. Plans are still being finalised for Ocovango.

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