Marmelo future unclear after contrary reports surface in France and Australia

High-class stayer Marmelo has reportedly been acquired to stand as a dual-purpose stallion at Haras du Grand Courgeon in Lion d'Angers from next year.

The six-year-old son of Duke Of Marmalade was in the news this month following his withdrawal from the Melbourne Cup by Racing Victoria stewards, acting on the advice of vets, in spite of trainer Hughie Morrison and connections maintaining there was no issue with the horse.

Marmelo was bred by Deepwood Farm out of the placed In The Wings mare Capriolla, who has also produced the Group 3-winning stayer Vent De Force. The dam is a half-sister to Lingfield Derby Trial winner Saddler's Quest and Listed scorers Quiz Mistress and Seren Hill.

Marmelo broke his maiden over 12 furlongs at Doncaster by ten lengths at three and ran third in the Prix Chaudenay and Prix Vulcain later that season.

He took the Prix de Barbeville and Prix Kergorlay and finished second to Talismanic in the Prix Maurice de Nieuil at four, when he finished ninth to Rekindling in his first attempt in the Melbourne Cup.

Last year at five, with Ozzie Kheir coming on board as part-owner, he scored in a York Listed contest and the Prix Maurice de Nieuil and ran second in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier and Prix Kergorlay, before finding only Cross Counter too good in the Melbourne Cup – beaten just a length in the race that stops a nation.

Marmelo added the John Porter Stakes and another Prix Kergorlay this season, and looked a leading contender for the Melbourne Cup before his controversial scratching from the race.

His race record stands at seven wins and nine other placings from 22 starts, with prize-money earnings of more than £1.15 million.

“He is a tough and solid horse,” Haras du Grand Courgeon's Alban de Mieulle told Jour de Galop. “He has a beautiful physique and the size to entice jumps breeders.

“He can also be used for speedier mares to produce Flat horses. He performed well from the age of three to six and has a versatile pedigree, so looks to be a good recruit for the west of France.”

Marmelo, it was stated, was being introduced to breeders at a fee of €3,500.

A report on Australian website racing.com on Thursday appeared to counteract the stallion announcement, however, and quite when Marmelo will be retired was uncertain, according to part-owner John O'Neill.

Quoted on racing.com, he said: “The entire ownership group, along with our trainer Hughie Morrison, are still actively pursuing the opportunity for Marmelo to continue to race competitively.

“We’re waiting for the British Horseracing Authority to get back with us in relation to a judgement on whether the horse is allowed to race. If the horse is given clearance to race, he won’t be going to stud yet. Nothing is off the table at this stage.”

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