The British National Hunt scene has gained an exciting recruit in Masterstroke, a new addition to Yorton Farm Stud for 2020.

Bred by Darley, Masterstroke was a highly talented performer for Andre Fabre, winning the 2012 Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville before running third to Solemia in that year’s Arc. He is also exceptionally well bred as a son of Monsun, himself emerging as a powerful force within jumps breeding, and the Oaks-placed Melikah, a Lammtarra half-sister to the phenomenal Flat stallions Galileo and Sea The Stars alongside successful jumps sire Black Sam Bellamy.

Masterstroke has been standing for Darley under its banner at Haras Du Logis in France since he retired from racing. His oldest crop are four-year-olds and already include seven individual winners over jumps in France, among them Floridee, a Group 3 and Listed winner at Auteuil.

He was particularly well supported by French jumps breeders in 2019, covering 93 mares, while at September’s Yorton Sale, held in conjunction with Goffs UK, two-year-old sons of Masterstroke sold for £22,000 (to Gabriel Leenders) and £28,000 (to Dan Skelton).

Masterstroke has also enjoyed success with his Flat runners, notably as the sire of Medyna, winner of the Hungarian 1000 Guineas (local Group 3).

“Masterstroke is a stallion we have been trying to secure for some time now and we are grateful to Darley for letting us purchase him,” said David Futter of Yorton Farm Stud. Bloodstock agent Richard Venn provided valuable input.

“It is very difficult to acquire a stallion of Masterstroke’s calibre who ticks all the boxes that we like to see in a jump stallion. He is the most wonderful looking horse with a great temperament, which is so important, and his pedigree could not be any better.”

A fee for Masterstroke will be announced shortly. Breeders can see this exciting addition to Britain’s sire ranks – plus another recent Yorton Farm Stud recruit, Scalo – at a stallion parade and show of young stock at the stud on December 18. Also parading will be Gentlewave and Pether’s Moon.