“Magnificent” winner held in high Esteem

Champion English Miler Mark Of Esteem has been put down after a short illness.  He was 21.

Mark Of Esteem (Darshaan – Homage by Ajdal) retired to stud in 1997 and stood at Darley’s Dalham Hall until taken out of service in 2007.

Sheikh Mohammed’s homebred was Europe’s Champion Miler and Champion 3YO in 1996 after an outstanding year that saw him win the G1 English 2000 Guineas and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Frankie Dettori guided the colt to a scintillating victory when running down champion filly Bosra Sham in the Queen Elizabeth.  It was the third leg of Frankie’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ at Ascot.

Mark Of Esteem earned a Timeform rating of 137, the best Queen Elizabeth figure until bettered by Frankel in 2011.

His Group 1 winners at stud included Ameerat (English 1000 Guineas), Sir Percy (English Derby) and Reverence (Nunthorpe Stakes & Haydock Sprint Trophy).

“Mark Of Esteem was the kindest of horses who was a pleasure to have on the farm,” Darley’s stud director Liam O’Rourke said.  “He was born and raised at Kildangan, stood at stud at Dalham Hall and lived out his retirement years in the stallion barn, too.

“We are lucky enough to have some of his nicest daughters and now grand-daughters in our broodmare band.  We are pleased he didn’t suffer and he will be greatly missed.”

 

MARK OF ESTEEMMARK OF ESTEEM