Marske (horse)

Marske was a British Thoroughbred racehorse best known as the sire of Eclipse, one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history. Bred by the Duke of Kingston, he was foaled in 1750. Marske was a chestnut horse of moderate size, not particularly impressive in appearance, and was considered something of a difficult horse to train.

His racing career, while not spectacular, saw some success. He won several races but was not consistently victorious, often showing inconsistency in his performances. He raced primarily in the north of England.

Following his retirement from racing, Marske stood as a stallion at a relatively low fee. Initially, he received little attention from breeders. However, after his son Eclipse began to dominate the racing scene, Marske's reputation soared. Eclipse's unparalleled success significantly boosted Marske's value and established him as a highly sought-after stallion.

Marske's stud fee increased dramatically following Eclipse's victories. He became known almost solely for being the sire of Eclipse, overshadowing his own somewhat modest racing career. He died in 1779, having secured his place in Thoroughbred history through the legacy of his most famous son. He is considered a significant ancestor in many modern Thoroughbred pedigrees through Eclipse.