A syndicate comprising Mary Slack, Bernard Kantor and Larry Nestadt has acquired the majority share in top three-year-old Mars from Coolmore Stud in Ireland, who will retain a share in the former Aiden O’Brien-trained colt. He will be joining Mike de Kock’s stables at Newmarket, UK.

Mars, by Galileo from Massarra (Danehill), has raced six times for one win over 1400m, but his other runs include several eye-catching performances at top level.

Mars was a fast-finishing sixth in the Gr1 Investec  Derby over 2400m, beaten only 3.75-lengths by Ruler Of The World after entering the straight last and being baulked for a run twice.

Dropped in distance to 1600m, he ran on well again for third to Dawn Approach and Toronado in the Gr1 St James’ Palace Stakes at Ascot, beaten 2.75-lengths.  Following that, he was also placed in the Gr1  Coral-Eclipse Stakes over 2000m and the Gr3 Meld Meld Stakes over 1800m.

Mike is hugely excited about Mars and said: “From what I’ve seen this is a serious racehorse and I can’t wait to train him. This is a wonderful opportunity to compete at the highest level with a top horse and my thanks go to Coolmore and the syndicate.”

Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe commented: “Mars is not only a top quality racing prospect, but he has a stallion’s pedigree being bred from the same cross as Frankel. Also, his dam is a half-sister to Invincible Spirit, a good stallion in his own right.”

Mars will spend a few more weeks resting in Ireland before being transferred to Mary Slack’s Abbington Place at Newmarket, where Mike’s UK runners are based and trained from.

Previous runners purchased from Coolmore to race for Mike de Kock include Archipenko (Gr QEII Cup, stallion at Landawes) and Eagle Mountain (Gr1 Hong  Kong Cup), who were both owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum