Derrinstown Stud has reported the death by natural causes of one of their one-time stalwarts, Marju (Last Tycoon). He was 28.

A three-parts brother to the great Salsabil, Marju showed himself to be one of the best milers of his generation when winning the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot, beating the subsequent Sussex Stakes winner, Second Set.

Marju was retired to Derrinstown at the end of his three-year-old season. He proved an instant success at his new career, siring the Group 1 Prix Vermeille and Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks winner My Emma, and the Group 1 Prix de Diane winner Sil Sila from his first crop.

Further successes at the highest level followed with the likes of Soviet Song, Bethrah, Lightening Pearl and Marbye in Europe; Viva Pataca in Hong Kong; Chinchon in the USA and Marju Snip in Australia. In all, he was responsible for nine international Group 1 winners of 16 international Group 1 races during his 19 years at stud, and his consistency in producing top quality runners made him a popular choice with breeders and buyers alike.

Marju may have gone, but his influence as a broodmare sire is still being felt on the racecourses of Europe today, epitomised by the recent Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner, Marsha.