'He's a great outcross' - Silas Marner settling in at Knockmullen House Stud

The arrival of Silas Marner to Knockmullen House Stud from France is an exciting prospect, one that stud manager Gordon Doyle jnr is relishing given how prolific the Muhtathir sireline is at present.

The son of the late Haras du Mezeray resident was himself a tough and consistent performer on the track, running 22 times with wins in the Group 3 Prix Edmond Blanc and three Listed contests to his name.

Perhaps more significant is the omnipotent presence of his sire in the highest echelons of National Hunt racing, with Muhtathir already responsible for top-level stars such as Envoi Allen and Quel Destin as well as high-class performers James Du Berlais, Elixir D'Ainay and Twinlight.

Muhtathir, himself a very smart miler, died last year at the venerable age of 25 but managed to produce a significant National Hunt stallion son in the shape of Doctor Dino. He has developed into a powerhouse at Haras du Mesnil with a succession of major winners such as Sceau Royal, Sharjah, La Bague Au Roi and the dual Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris hero Docteur De Ballon.

Doyle said: "I was looking for another horse at the time and I just saw Silas Marner's profile, I'd never heard of him before, and being by Muhtathir there's very few of them out there. It's a line that's going so well and I just sent an email to them and it just went from there really."

Silas Marner retired to stand at Haras de Saint Vincent in 2017 and is beginning to have his first few runners from small crops.

On the attributes he brings to the stud, Doyle added: "The sireline really attracted him to me but he was also a good, tough racehorse. He retired sound and with no wind problems and he's also a great outcross.

Muhtathir strikes a pose at Haras du Mezeray during the 2020 Route des EtalonsCredit: James Thomas

"He's arrived and has a great temperament, he's a lovely horse to deal with. He stands at just under 16.1 hands, walks well and has plenty of scope."

Doyle, whose stud previously stood the likes of Primary, the sire of Clarence House Chase hero First Flow, and Cheltenham Festival-winning sire Pierre, confirmed that his latest recruit would be in for strong home support.

"We have five or six mares and he'll receive four of those this year. One or two people have seen him and have really liked him."

Silas Marner will join Quest For Peace, a dual Group 3-winning son of Galileo and the winning Danehill Dancer mare Play Misty For Me, at the New Ross, County Wexford, stud where he will stand for a fee of €2,000.

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