The connections of 2016 Trotting Triple Crown winner Marion Marauder 3,1:51.3 ($1,908,588) have announced that plans to syndicate and stand the stallion at Tara Hills Stud in Ontario have changed.
Acting as agent for owners Jean Wellwood and Devin Keeling, Preferred Equine Marketing’s David Reid said preliminary results indicate a probability that Marion Marauder would not be able to breed a full book of mares. The Wellwoods believe it is only fair to stand the horse when he is able to service a full book of mares. Thus, they have decided to race Marion Marauder in 2017.
“Since the announcement to retire Marion Marauder to stud, the response from the breeding industry worldwide has been outstanding. Both Tara Hills Stud owner David Heffering and I have been inundated with calls to be part of the syndicate, but we wanted to let the industry know the current situation so breeders can plan accordingly,” Reid said.
Paula Wellwood and Mike Keeling are looking forward to racing the son of Muscle Hill-Spellbound Hanover and will resume his training duties early in 2017.
Despite fighting a virus in his last start, Marion Marauder ended the season sound and his connections expect him to return to racing at the highest level next year.
Marion Marauder will be reevaluated after his 2017 racing season for future stud duties.
(with files from Wellwood Stable)