'We're very fortunate to have them' - optimism aplenty at Yorton Farm with Cracksman and Postponed leading the way

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The new year is fast approaching and Yorton Farm has plenty to look forward to with their stallion roster headed by new arrival Cracksman and fellow multiple Group 1 winner and champion Postponed.

It was announced in the autumn that Cracksman would move from Dalham Hall Stud to Yorton, having been purchased by the stud and leading jumps owner Dai Walters. It was a plan that had long been in the works for all concerned. 

David Futter, director of Yorton, said: "Me and [bloodstock agent] Richard Venn are great mates and the first stallion we brokered together was Sulamani many years ago. He's always been a great ally and I said to him if he gets wind [about Cracksman being sold] then we might approach Sam Bullard and the team there. We got the nod that there was the possibility he could be bought, so we had a meeting with Sam and Mr [Anthony] Oppenheimer [owner] and we managed to get the deal done.

"We're really excited to stand him and also Postponed and I've got to thank Dai [Walters] and the Potter family [landlords at Yorton] for their support."

While Cracksman will be covering more National Hunt mares, the team behind the dual Champion Stakes winner are keen for him to show his capabilities on the Flat, too. He is sire of the unbeaten Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Prix du Jockey Club hero Ace Impact, Listed winner and German Derby third Weracruz, stakes winner and narrow Group 2 runner-up Danielle, as well as fellow black-type scorers Shaha, Oberer, Diamond Crown and Sea Of Thieves. 

Futter said: "We want to get involved in the Flat and he's a good horse to do it with as we don't necessarily want to get involved with sprinters. We've already booked some Flat mares in and had interest from Flat breeders. His largest crops are going to run as two and three-year-olds in the next few years and anything could happen.

"We all saw how much his stock were making at the yearling sales, he's not dropped out of fashion at the sales and there were plenty who made over 100 grand. We tried to buy some of the Flat yearlings and foals and they were out of our reach. There's still plenty of appetite for them."

Cracksman: "very few stallions produce a runner as good as themselves"Credit: Edward Whitaker

Cracksman has also provided some smart jumps performers from his early crops, including this year's Galway Hurdle victor Ndaawi, also runner-up in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, as well as Listed hurdle winner Liari. Recent winners over hurdles for the four-time Group 1 winner include wide-margin Naas maiden scorer Open Secret and juvenile maiden winner Cloaks Of Gold. 

Futter added: "He's getting more and more jumpers, he had a nice winner over hurdles for Gordon Elliott recently [Open Secret] and these are predominantly out of Flat mares."

The Yorton head is also confident of more to come from Cracksman's Flat-bred stock, those bred off the back of Ace Impact's outstanding exploits in particular. 

He said: "Everyone thinks Cracksman's a one-horse wonder but people don't realise that very few stallions produce a runner as good as themselves - if not better. He's already done that and has 20-25 other black-type horses and his oldest stock are still only five. 

"He's had some beautifully bred mares go to him and the progeny out of them are only yearlings and foals. He could still sire some more very smart Flat horses. We've invested in some Flat mares ourselves in the last two or three years, including German-bred mares."

There has been a reunion of sorts as Cracksman joins Postponed at the Welshpool-based farm. Postponed relocated to Yorton for the 2024 covering season, having resided at Dalham Hall since his retirement from racing in 2018. 

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Juddmonte International-winning son of Dubawi has enjoyed a fine year in both codes, with his Flat performers headed by Lillie Langtry Fillies' Stakes winner Waardah and Amiloc, the King Edward VII Stakes victor who was also second in the Irish St Leger. 

Postponed: had a fine year in 2025 with two Group 2 winners among his leading progenyCredit: Yorton Farm

Postponed's jumps performers are headed by Grade 3 novice hurdle and bumper scorer Familiar Dreams, Graded-placed Majestic Jameela and Movie Night. His progeny's versatility is further demonstrated by Ambiente Amigo, a winner of the Nottinghamshire Oaks this year and Listed-placed over hurdles last season for the Gredley family and James Owen. 

There should be plenty more to come with Postponed's National Hunt-oriented crops on the way, although Futter is thrilled to have a second stallion who can produce high-class performers in both disciplines. 

He said of the 14-year-old: "He's doing well, he covered 90 mares in each of the years we've had him. He's going to have a few more jumps-bred runners come through next year as three-year-olds. 

"We're very fortunate to have two horses who won all those Group 1s between them who can produce smart Flat horses as well as jumpers. They've both produced Graded jumps winners and Group winners on the Flat." 

Yorton will open its doors to the inaugural Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s National Hunt Stallion Open Weekend next month, when Futter is keen to highlight the importance of supporting British breeding in trying times. 

Futter said: "We all know how much pressure everyone is under, I've been involved in this industry since I left school, and it's as difficult now as it's ever been. However, there is optimism about, there's a lot of support for British breeding, I think the powers that be have started to realise we need to look at the situation seriously and see what they can do to help breeders."

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