WHAT does a sire need to do to be truly appreciated? Would siring one of the best racemares of all-time do? A mare who won 11 Group or Grade 1 races around the world, including two editions of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

She is not alone though as her sire also got the winners of the Group 1 Nassau Stakes in England, the Group 1 Prix de Diane-French Oaks, the Grade 1 E P Taylor Stakes in Canada, and the Group 1 Premio Lydia Tesio in Italy. A few others were Group 1 placed, he has sired 16 group winners in total, and 25 stakes winners in all. His five Group 1 winners to date are from his first three crops.

Furthermore, his runners under National Hunt rules have landed the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle and include four others who have been runners-up at the highest level. His achievements in the jumping sphere has even earned him an accolade from the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association in Britain this week.

Finally, and significantly, this stallion is already the maternal grandsire of the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Zellie (Wootton Bassett).

Of course, you know that the sire I am talking about is Nathaniel, the 14-year-old dual Group 1 winning son of Galileo (Sadler’s Wells), and one of the 11 winners, three of them Group 1 winners, out of the Group 3 Musidora Stakes winner Magnificent Style, a daughter of Silver Hawk (Roberto).

While some commercial breeders will decry the fact that all his wins were from 10 to 12 furlongs, and gained at three and four, Nathaniel was beaten just half a length on his debut at two in a maiden by Frankel.

Everything about Nathaniel screams stallion success, and he has been a success. He will hopefully have many seasons ahead of him, and Newsells Park has remained steadfast in its support for him. His fee last year and this year has been £15,000, the lowest since he went to stud, and those who supported him last year include many of the leading breeders under both codes.

Stellar list

Among the flat breeders who sent mares to be covered in 2021 were Juddmonte, the Wertheimers, Gestüt Hof Ittlingen, Ben Sangster, Meon Valley Stud, Ballylinch, Tinnakill House, Cheveley Park, David Redvers, Anita Wigan, Fittocks Stud, Airlie Stud and more.

The National Hunt breeders who sent mares is an equally impressive list, including the likes of Kenny Alexander, the Mintons, Nicky Henderson, the Fowlers, Kieran Mariga, Goldford Stud, Rowland Crellin, Bryan Mayoh, Little Lodge Farm, The Glanvilles Stud (breeders of Honeysuckle), Scarlett Knipe and Trull House Stud.

Siring quality winners over jumps, and getting top class winners on the flat shouldn’t be seen as anything but admirable.

If Nathaniel’s unbeaten son Desert Crown, winner of the Group 2 Dante Stakes, goes to Epsom and wins the Derby, will this cement his sire’s reputation as one of the best flat stallions standing in England? Remember too that he sold for 280,000gns as a yearling in Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Sale.

Nathaniel looks to be excellent value to me. Do you agree?