Group 1 Winner Mekhtaal 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 (US$402,000) at Arqana's August Yearling Sale in 2014.

Mekhtaal went on to win the Prix d'Ispahan (G1) and Prix Hocquart (G2) for Jean-Claude Rouget and Al Shaqab Racing, while he was also a close-up second in the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (G1T) when switched to Graham Motion in the latter stages of his career. 

A winner of three of his 13 starts and prize money of $448,444, the 10-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.

They include fellow Prix Hocquart scorer Democrate , by Dalakhani , American grade 3 winner Aigue Marine , by Galileo, Prix Thomas Bryon (G3) winner and Criterium International (G1) second Normandy Bridge , by Le Havre , and the listed-placed Crosswind , by 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.