WHEN it comes to standing successful stallions there are few families who have contributed to the National Hunt scene like the Hickey family.

Garryrichard Stud has been home to many great sires, both in the time of the late Michael Hickey and now of his son Denis, while the latter’s brother Michael has enjoyed immense success at his Sunnyhill Stud.

Knockmullen House Stud near New Ross is owned by Mary Doyle, nee Hickey, and her son Gordon is delighted to welcome a new, and very interesting, stallion for 2022, Silas Marner. This French-bred son of Muhtathir (Elmaamul), the best of 11 winners for his Kendor (Kenmare) dam, is by the sire of Envoi Allen and Doctor Dino, the latter responsible for Sceau Royal, Sharjah and more.

Gordon Doyle told me this week: “It’s very exciting to have Silas Marner for next season. He is a unique option for breeders being by Muhtathir, just like Doctor Dino and Envoi Allen. It’s the hottest sire line in the jumping game at the moment with the likes of Envoi Allen, Sharjah, Statuaire and Sceau Royal on the track, and with Doctor Dino in the sales ring.

“It’s great that his owner Alain Jathiere has entrusted us with Silas Marner. He is a big supporter of the horse and has some nice horses in training by him.

“Silas Marner represents an outcross to almost every sire line being by Muhtathir out of a Kendor mare. It’s a wonderful pedigree, and to have the only son of Muhtathir outside France standing here is fantastic for the stud. They are not making any more Muhtathir’s either!

“It’s not easy to find such an outcross in today’s climate, and certainly not easy to find one from such a proven and commercial sire line.”

The good-looking Silas Marner sold to Oceanic Bloodstock as a yearling back in 2008 for €140,000 at the Arqana October Sale, the highest price for a son of Muhtathir that year. Racing in the colours of the art dealer Alain Jathiere, Silas Marner was a tough racehorse, winning 15 times from 36 starts on ground that varied from heavy to firm, and he was placed a dozen times.

Incredibly, Silas Marner raced until he was nine, and that final season yielded no fewer than four wins. His career best saw him land the Group 3 Prix Edmond Blanc at Saint-Cloud, and he was also successful in three listed races, including at Longchamp. As Gordon Doyle said: “He retired sound of wind and limb, stands 164cm [over 16.1 hands] with a good walk and plenty of scope.”

Private stallion

When Silas Marner retired to stud, he effectively did so as a private stallion. His first small crop are three-year-olds and his three runners to date include a pair of multiple-placed runners. Best of these is Angie, and she has been runner-up twice in four outings, the other times starting in listed races and finishing fourth once.

Gordon Doyle added: “We are only a small stud and it’s hard to compete with some of the powerhouses in the industry, but I think having a horse like Silas Marner offers breeders something new and different, a gateway to the best and most prolific National Hunt sire line active at the moment. All the top trainers, Willie Mullins, Henry de Bromhead, Gordon Elliott, Paul Nicholls and Colin Bowe have all had Grade 1 winners by Muhtathir or Doctor Dino pass through their hands, and in the sales ring Doctor Dino is one of the hottest sires around.

“In setting his fee we are conscious that the commercial landscape is so competitive; we wanted to introduce him at a fee that would give breeders a chance. Silas Marner will stand at €2,000 in 2022.”