Marmelo to return from France to stand at Norton Grove Stud for 2022

High-class stayer and Melbourne Cup second Marmelo will return to Britain to stand at Norton Grove Stud in Yorkshire following a two-year spell at Haras du Grand Courgeon in France.

In a deal brokered by Richard Venn, the son of the recently retired Duke Of Marmalade won seven times in a 22-race career for Hughie Morrison, including victories in two Darley Prix Kergorlays, the Prix Maurice de Nieuil and John Porter Stakes.

The eight-year-old, who was a fine second to Cross Counter in the 2018 Melbourne Cup, was placed a further seven times in black type contests for the Fairy Story Partnership and Aziz Kheir, including when a neck second to the top-class Vazirabad in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier.

Morrison said: "Marmelo had a superb temperament, and was always easy to get fit being so clear winded. When the Australian vets scoped him post-Melbourne Cup they couldn’t believe the size of his windpipe!

"He was obviously one of the best stayers of his generation, but he also had the speed to hold the track record at both Chantilly and York over the Ebor distance."

The Fairy Story Partners and Christophe Soumillon celebrate after Marmelo's win in the Darley Prix KergorlayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Richard Lingwood of Norton Grove added: "When he walked off the box I thought what a fine, big horse he was, he is 16.2hh, dark bay with no white and looks a proper National Hunt type.

"One can see why he was such a good racehorse, he is so relaxed, all he wanted to do was stick his head in his manger!"

Marmelo is the sixth foal out of the In The Wings mare Capriolla, a placed half-sister to Derby Trial scorer Saddler's QuestI, three-time stakes scorer Quiz Mistress and Listed winner Seren HillI.

He is a half-brother to six individual winners including Henry II Stakes winner Vent De Force and four-time scorer Jedhi.

Marmelo will stand alongside Sogann - an unraced Frankel half-brother to Prix Morny and Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Dabirsim - Pearl Secret and Forever Now for a fee of £2,000.

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