Group 1 winner Mekhtaal on the move to Knockmullen House Stud

Gordon Doyle of Knockmullen House Stud has announced that Group 1 winner Mekhtaal will take up stallion duties at the stud for 2023, joining Silas Marner, who has made a promising start to his own career.

The son of Sea The Stars, who was bred by Haras du Mezeray and Skymarc Farm, subsequently sold to Mandore International Agency for €300,000 at Arqana's August Yearling Sale in 2014.

Mekhtaal went on to win the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan and Group 2 Prix Hocquart for Jean-Claude Rouget and Al Shaqab Racing, while he was also a close-up second in the Grade 1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes when switched to Graham Motion in the latter stages of his career.

A winner of three of his 13 starts and prize-money of £327,664, the ten-year-old heads over from France, where he has been standing since his retirement. He first spent time at Al Shaqab's Haras de Bouquetot before a move to Haras du Grand Courgeon.

Mekhtaal is the eighth foal out of the Group-winning Silver Hawk mare Aiglonne and a close relation or half-brother to five black-type performers.

Mekhtaal: high-class racehorse for Al Shaqab Racing and new recruit for Irish breeders in 2023Credit: Zuzanna Lupa

They include fellow Prix Hocquart scorer Democrate (by Dalakhani), American Grade 3 winner Aigue Marine (Galileo), Group 3 Prix Thomas Bryon winner and Group 1 Criterium International second Normandy Bridge and the Listed-placed Crosswind (Cape Cross).

Doyle said: "I'm very grateful to Al Shaqab for giving me the opportunity to stand him and I'm really excited to have a Group 1 winner by the brilliant and popular Sea The Stars standing at Knockmullen.

"His dam Aiglonne is a Group winner who has bred five Group or black-type performers, while it's the family of Group 1 winners Germance, Almutawakel and champion White Mussle. Being out of a Silver Hawk mare, he's bred on a similar cross to Nathaniel too.

"Mekhtaal's a lovely horse. He's a real smasher at 16.1 hands and has a great walk, a lovely shoulder and good bone."

Doyle also reported Silas Marner to be in fine form and added: "As the only son of Muhtathir at stud in Ireland, he really is a rare gem. He's made a fantastic start to his stallion career as his first three runners over jumps have all won."

A fee will be decided in due course for Mekhtaal.

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