Martaline ruled out of rest of covering season due to heart problem

Martaline, one of the best jumps sires in Europe, has been ruled out of covering during the latter stages of this year's breeding season as he recovers from a heart problem.

The 19-year-old son of Linamix was whisked off to the vets two days ago to have his condition treated but he has returned home to Haras de Montaigu in Normandy and is convalescing in preparation for next year's book of mares.

Coming late in the season, Martaline's heart problem has not caused too much disruption to his breeding activity and Montaigu confirmed he had already covered around 110 mares in 2018.

Martaline commands a fee of €15,000, having established himself as an outstanding source of National Hunt performers.

His Grade 1 winners include Chimere Du Berlais, Disko, Dynaste, Kotkikova, Srelighonn and Very Wood.

At last month's Grand National meeting at Aintree he registered a big top-level double when Terrefort took the Mildmay Novices' Chase and We Have A Dream struck in the Anniversary 4yo Juvenile Hurdle.

Martaline is from a family of proficient jumps sires. His brother Reefscape supplied Grade 1 winner L'Unique from only a handful of foals produced, while half-brother Coastal Path has provided dual Grade 1 winner Bacardys.

The siblings are out of a half-sister to Irish Oaks heroine Wemyss Bight, the dam of leading dual-purpose sire Beat Hollow.

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