greatness
40 years of
greatness
Celebrating 40 Years of Arrowfield
As we mark Arrowfield’s 40th year of operation, we thank and applaud the large number of breeders, past and present, local and international, who have supported our stallions, whether continuously, regularly or occasionally, since 1985.
As breeders ourselves, we understand the passion and dedication that drives this industry. Like you, we dream big, of breeding Champions and achieving those unforgettable moments of success. That shared ambition is what fuels our work and shapes our stallion roster, carefully built over 40 years with a clear focus: to give breeders every chance of producing something truly special.
The 2024/25 season has been one of the finest in our history for our stallions and those who have bred, raced and sold their progeny. Special congratulations to the breeders of the 41 Arrowfield-sired stars we’ve cheered to Group and Listed stakes success this season.
From the Flight, Spring Champion and Coolmore Stud Stakes in the Spring, through to the Golden Slipper, Surround Stakes, Coolmore Classic, Australian and South Australian Derbys in the Autumn, Arrowfield stallions have shone wherever Australia’s major prizes are decided.
We have also been delighted to see many very pleasing sale results for breeders, vendors and owners in 2025, notably Snitzel’s career-high tally of 11 $1 million plus yearlings, Maurice’s $1.4 million Inglis Easter filly, Group 1-winning fillies Femminile (by Dundeel) and Coco Sun (The Autumn Sun’s 4th million-dollar race filly), sold out of training for $1.5 million and $1.2 million respectively.
Thank you for considering Arrowfield’s stallion roster for your breeding program in 2025, and our best wishes for outstanding success with your foals of 2026.
Dundeel— An established sire heading higher
High Chaparral – Stareel Bay 2009 15.3hh
$88,000 inc. GST
Payable on Live Foal
Every season, Dundeel is a revelation.
Beginning with Group 1 winners Castelvecchio (Australia), Yourdeel (New Zealand) and Atyaab (South Africa) in 2018/19. Then the Spring & Autumn Guineas victories of Super Seth & Castelvecchio in 2019/20. Truly Great’s big Summer of 2020/21 and Dundeel’s first million-dollar yearlings in 2021/22.
An avalanche of 17 stakes wins in 2022/23, including Group 1 victories by 2YO Militarize and Classic winner Dunkel. In 2023/24, Militarize’s Golden Rose, and Celestial Legend’s Randwick Guineas-Doncaster Mile double.
2024/25 has been all about the rise of Dundeel’s daughters, led by South Australian Derby Group 1 winner Femminile & 6 other female stakeswinners, and his Group 1-siring sons Castelvecchio & Super Seth.
Last season Dundeel was a close second to Zoustar on the Australian 3YO Sires’ table. This year he’s a current top 10 sire in Australia by Prizemoney, Winners, Stakeswinners & Stakes Wins. And the only way he’s looking is up.
Dundeel
PEDIGREE
Sadler’s Wells
High Chaparral
Northern Dancer
Fairy Bridge
Darshaan
Kasora
Nearctic Natalma
Bold Reason Special
Shirley Heights Delsy
Kozana Kris Koblenza
Sir Tristram
Zabeel
Stareel
Staring
Sir Ivor Isolt
Lady Giselle Nureyev Valderna
Fiesta Star
Sweet Violet
RACE RECORD: 19 Starts 10-4-1 NZ$7,550, A$5,386,160.
Luskin Star
Very Merry
In The Purple Sugar Doll
Sire of 37 Stakeswinners, 10 in 2024/25 inc. Group 1 winner Femminile plus GW Konasana, Red Aces, Mare Of Mt Buller & Jasmin Rouge
9 Group 1 winners inc. Castelvecchio, Militarize & Celestial Legend plus 15 other Group 1 performers
Sire of Group 1 sires Castelvecchio & Super Seth
2025 Inglis Easter yearlings average $414,000 for 9 lots
Foals conceived in 2025 will sell as yearlings alongside Dundeel’s 3YO and 2YO runners bred at peak fees of $82,500 and $88,000
Horse of the Year in NZ in 2013-14. Champion 3YO in NZ in 2012-13. Champion Middle Distance Male in Australia & NZ in 2013-14.
Won Queen Elizabeth S., Gr.1 (2000m), Randwick Guineas, Gr.1 (1600m), Australian Derby, Gr.1 (2400m), Rosehill Guineas, Gr.1 (2000m), Spring Champion S., Gr 1 (2000m), Underwood S., Gr.1 (1800m), ATC Gloaming S., Gr.3 (1800m), 2nd BMW S., Gr.1, Queen Elizabeth S., Gr 1, Chipping Norton S., Gr.1, Mitchelton Wines Vase, Gr.2, 3rd Ranvet S., Gr.1
BEST PROGENY
Sire of 37 Stakeswinners, 9 Group 1 winners (3 as 2YOs) & 28 other Stakes Performers
CASTELVECCHIO (dam by Dehere) Timeform Co-Champion 2YO & Australia’s Joint Champion 3YO 1st Rosehill Guineas, Gr.1, Champagne S., Gr.1, Inglis 2YO Millennium (R), L, 2d WS Cox Plate, Gr.1, Spring Champion S., Gr.1, 3d ATC Sires’ Produce S., Gr.1, Skyline S., Gr.2, 4th Dulcify S., L. Group 1 Sire.
SUPER SETH (Redoute’s Choice) Champion First & Second Season Sire in New Zealand 1st Caulfield Guineas, Gr.1, HDF McNeil S., Gr.3, Manfred S., Gr.3, 2d Futurity S., Gr.1, 3d Anzac Day S., L, 4th All Aged S., Gr.1. Group 1 Sire. plus other Group 1 winners YOURDEEL, MILITARIZE, CELESTIAL LEGEND, FEMMINILE, TRULY GREAT, ATYAAB & DUNKEL
In 2024/25 – 10 Stakeswinners & 7 other Stakes Performers
FEMMINILE (dam by Pierro) 1st South Australian Derby, Gr.1, 3d Ethereal S., Gr.3.
KONASANA (Medicean) 1st Westbury Classic, Gr.2, Belle of the Turf S., Gr.3, 3d VRC Hong Kong Jockey Club S., Gr.3, 4th NZ
Thoroughbred Breeders S., Gr.1, Otaki WFA Classic, Gr.1.
RED ACES (Encosta de Lago) 1st Moonee Valley Vase, Gr.2, 2d Super Impose S., L
CINCH (Snitzel) 1st Auraria S., Gr.3, Tasmanian Oaks, L
LITZDEEL (Testa Rossa) 1st South Australia Fillies Classic, Gr.3, 2d VRC St Leger, L, 3d Galilee Series Final, L. MARE OF MT BULLER (Redoute’s Choice) 1st Epona S., Gr.3, 2d Aspiration H., Gr.3
KINGOFWALLSTREET (Fastnet Rock) 1st Caulfield Classic, Gr.3, 4th Victoria Derby, Gr.1.
JASMIN ROUGE (Snitzel) 1st MRC Thoroughbred Club S., Gr.3, 4th Sunlight Classic, L plus Stakeswinners THE INEVITABLE & DEEL HER IN plus Group 1-placed Polymnia & Henlein and Stakes Performers Townsend, It’s a Knockout, Politely Dun, Fukubana & Ain’tnodeeldun Broodmare Sire of 3 Stakeswinners (10.7% SW/Runners)
WITHIN THE LAW (by Lucky Vega) 1st Sweet Embrace S., Gr.2, Inglis Banner 2YO S. (R), L, Inglis Nursery (R), L, 2d ATC Champagne S., Gr.1, Inglis 2YO Millennium (R), L, 3d Percy Sykes S., Gr.2
NOAH ‘N’ A DEEL (by Maurice) 1st Tatt’s Crown, L, 2d BRC Grand Prix S., Gr.3, 3d Queensland Oaks, Gr.1
ITZA CHARMDEEL (by Charm Spirit) 1st Levin Ryder S., L, 4th Wanganui Guineas, L. Plymouth (by The Autumn Sun) 2d MRC Autumn S., Gr.2, 3d Frank Packer P., Gr.3, 4th Rosehill Guineas, Gr.1
YEARLING SALE HIGHLIGHTS 2025
$750,000 Colt ex Stay With Me
$600,000 Colt ex Tune Doubt
$600,000 Colt ex Courchevel
$400,000 Top-Priced Inglis Classic Yearling Filly (ex Pretty Elsa)
NOTABLE NICKS
Also, at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale 2025
$1.5 million Femminile
$414,444 Inglis Easter average for 9 lots
Dundeel has excellent results across the board with DANEHILL-line mares. Group 1 winner and emerging sire Super Seth is one of 4 Stakeswinners and 12 Stakes Performers from REDOUTE’S CHOICE mares. From just 20 runners out of SNITZEL mares Dundeel has produced dual Group 1 winner Celestial Legend and current season Stakes-winning fillies Cinch & Jasmin Rouge. He also has stakeswinners from mares by STRATUM and NADEEM
Dundeel has stakeswinners from mares by other Danehill-line stallions including Danasinga, Dylan Thomas, Exceed And Excel and Danehill Dancer, and Fastnet Rock’s daughters have produced 3 Stakeswinners to date.
His 3 Group 1-winning 2YOs, Militarize (from a DUBAWI mare) Castelvecchio (DEHERE mare) and Yourdeel (RED RANSOM mare), would all be considered outcrosses. And from just 3 runners, TALE OF THE CAT mares have produced two individual Stakeswinners. Dundeel is from a mare by Sir Tristram’s great son Zabeel and he has 11 Stakeswinners inc. Group 1 winner Truly Great plus 4 other Group 1 placegetters inbred to SIR TRISTRAM. In addition, Dundeel’s sire sons Castelvecchio and Super Seth have 5 Group 1 winners between them inbred to Sir Tristram: Aeliana, El Castello, Feroce, La Dorada & Maison Louis.
South Australian Derby winners Dunkel and Femminile both carry a duplication of SADLER’S WELLS as do the outstanding racemares Aquacade and Hope In Your Heart, and new stakeswinner Litzdeel.
The Autumn Sun— Sire of 3 first-crop Group 1 Classic winners
Redoute’s Choice – Azmiyna
Bay 2015 16.0 ½ hh
$66,000 inc. GST
Payable on Live Foal
Fresh from celebrating his trio of first-crop Group 1 Classic winners and a rare Oaks trifecta in 2024, The Autumn Sun has added new strings to his bow in 2024/25.
His spectacular dual Group-winning daughter Autumn Glow is rated among Australia’s best 3YOs this season. Listed winners Matusalem, Private Legacy & Snow In May, and a Group 2-placed trio Amazing Fluke, Sneaky Sunrise & Plymouth take his tally of stakes performers to 16.
Know Thyself is a new millionaire for The Autumn Sun after thrilling victories in the $1 million Country Championships Final & $500,000 The Coast.
His sons Sky Jewellery, Gold Master, Another Zonda & Autumn Delight have opened up the Hong Kong market with 8 wins from 1200m to 2000m.
And Coco Sun, purchased for $1.2 million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale, is his 4th million-dollar filly sold out of training, after Tutta La Vita, Autumn Ballet & Autumn Angel.
The Sun has risen, and the forecast is bright.
The Autumn Sun
PEDIGREE
Danzig
Danehill
Redoute’s Choice
Shantha’s Choice
Northern Dancer Pas de Nom
Razyana His Majesty Spring Adieu
Canny Lad Bletchingly Jesmond Lass
Dancing Show Nijinsky Show Lady
Sadler’s Wells
Galileo
Azmiyna
Asmara
Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge
Urban Sea Miswaki Allegretta
Lear Fan Roberto Wac
Anaza Darshaan Azaarika
RACE RECORD: 9 Starts 8-0-1 A$3,489,121.
Champion 3YO Colt in Australia in 2018-19.
Autumn Angel (Australian Oaks, Gr.1), Vibrant Sun (Australasian Oaks, Gr.1) & Coco Sun (South Australian Derby, Gr.1)
Plus a Group 1 Oaks trifecta & emerging superstar Autumn Glow
10% Stakes Performers/Runners inc. 7 Group 1 performers
2023/24 Leading Second Season Sire by stakes wins (7) and by stakeswinners (4)
2025 major yearling sale average
$309,000 for 25 lots
Four race fillies sold out of training for $1 million plus
Won Golden Rose S., Gr.1 (1400m), Randwick Guineas, Gr.1 (1600m), Rosehill Guineas, Gr.1 (2000m), Caulfield Guineas, Gr.1 (1600m), JJ Atkins S., Gr.1 (1600m), Hobartville S., Gr.2 (1400m), 2YO P. (1400m), Maiden 2YO P. (1200m), 3rd Stan Fox S., Gr.2 – all his starts.
BEST PROGENY
Sire of 8 Stakeswinners inc. 3 Group 1 winners & 8 other Stakes Performers
AUTUMN ANGEL (dam by Hussonet) 1st Australian Oaks, Gr.1, AV Kewney S., Gr.2, Ethereal S., Gr.3, 2d Adrian Knox S., Gr.3, 3d Bill Stutt S., Gr.2
VIBRANT SUN (Written Tycoon) 1st Australasian Oaks, Gr.1, Alexandra S., Gr.3.
COCO SUN (Encosta de Lago) 1st South Australian Derby, Gr.1, Oaklands P., L, 3d Australasian Oaks, Gr.1
AUTUMN BALLET (Street Cry) 1st Silver Shadow S., Gr.2, Black Opal, Gr.3-on debut. plus Group 1 performers Tutta La Vita, Private Legacy & Tulsi and Stakes Performers Sneaky Sunrise, Know Thyself, The Autumn Belle & Kosgei
In 2024/25 - 4 Stakeswinners & 3 other Stakes Performers
AUTUMN GLOW (dam by Var) 1st Tea Rose S., Gr.2, Up & Coming S., Gr.3, Darby Munro S., L.
MATUSALEM (Falbrav) 1st Albury Gold Cup, L, 2d Canberra Cup, L, 3d Wagga Wagga Gold Cup, L
PRIVATE LEGACY (Husson) 1st SAJC Centaurea S., L, 2d MRC Ladies Day Vase, Gr.3. SNOW IN MAY (Siyouni) 1st Canberra Guineas, L, 2d Tea Rose S., Gr.2, 3d Flight S., Gr.1
Plymouth (Dundeel) 2d Autumn S., Gr.2, 3d Frank Packer P., Gr.3, 4th Rosehill Guineas, Gr.1. Sneaky Sunrise (So You Think) 3d AV Kewney S., Gr.2, Desirable S., L Amazing Fluke (Stormy River) 3d Waikato Guineas, Gr.2.
YEARLING SALE HIGHLIGHTS 2025
$900,000 Filly ex Carry On Alice
$675,000 Filly ex Chanteuse
$550,000 Filly ex Missybeel
$340,833 Inglis Easter average for 12 lots
$280,384 Magic Millions average for 13 lots
$520,000 Top-Priced Inglis Classic Yearling Colt (ex Talimena)
Also sire of four $1 million + race fillies out of training
$3.2m Tutta La Vita Inglis Chairman’s Sale 2024
$1.6m Autumn Ballet Inglis Chairman’s Sale 2024
$1.225m Autumn Angel Inglis Digital 2024
$1.2m Coco Sun Inglis Chairman’s Sale 2025
NOTABLE NICKS
The Autumn Sun already has a very successful body of work from which to draw mating inspiration.
His Australian Oaks winner Autumn Angel is from a mare by Mr Prospector’s direct son HUSSONET. Similarly, the current season Stakeswinner and Group 1 performer Private Legacy is from a mare by Hussonet’s son, Husson. MR PROSPECTOR blood seems to nick well with The Autumn Sun as Group 2 winner Autumn Ballet is from a STREET CRY (Machiavellian/Mr Prospector) mare and million-dollar earner Know Thyself is from a DUBAWI (Mr. Prospector-line) mare.
Group 1 Derby winner Coco Sun is from an ENCOSTA DE LAGO (by Fairy King) mare and Listed winner Matusalem is similarly bred being from a FALBRAV (by Fairy King) mare. This cross represents a duplication of Sadler’s Wells dam Fairy Bridge.
Glamour filly Autumn Glow is from a very fast South African mare by VAR, a son of Forest Wildcat (STORM CAT-line). Var mares have produced two Group 1 winners by another son of Redoute’s Choice in Rafeef and of course In The Congo, by Snitzel.
Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner Vibrant Sun is the only runner thus far by The Autumn Sun from a WRITTEN TYCOON mare and one of five Group 1 winners bred on the wider Redoute’s Choice/Written Tycoon cross. She is also one of 2 Stakeswinners by The Autumn Sun in-bred to DANEHILL
Maurice— Multiple G1 sire & the best is yet to come
Screen Hero – Mejiro Frances Bay 2011 16.2hh
$55,000 inc. GST
Payable on Live Foal
Elite mares have dominated Maurice’s large latest books, including:
Group 1 winners Aristia, Abbey Marie, Dreamaway, Media Award, Oohood, Perfect Reflection, Toffee Tongue and Shoals.
Group winners Almighty Girl, Bella Rosa, Bonvicini, Cosmic Storm, Eleonora, Etana, Euro Angel, Flying Evelyn, Hope In Your Heart, I Am Serious, Le Lude, Mallory, Noire, Saavoya, She’s Clean, Spring Heat, St Germaine & Teaspoon.
The dams of Group 1 winners Autumn Angel, Bonneval, Hinged, Hitotsu, Leicester, Lady Shenandoah, Sunshine In Paris & Tuvalu.
Their rising 2YO and yearling progeny have posted the best sales figures of Maurice’s Australian career. And they will prime the market for his 2026 crop.
Maurice
PEDIGREE
Silver Hawk
Grass Wonder
Screen Hero
Running Heroine
Roberto Gris Vitesse
Ameriflora Danzig Graceful Touch
Sunday Silence Halo Wishing Well
Dyna Actress
Sadler’s Wells
Carnegie
Mejiro Frances
Mejiro Monterey
Northern Taste Model Sport
Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge
Detroit Riverman Derna
Mogami Lyphard No Luck
Mejiro Quincey Fidion Mejiro Bosatsu
RACE RECORD: 18 Starts 11-2-1 HK$35,340,000, ¥536,246,000. Horse of the Year, Champion Sprinter & Champion Miler in Japan in 2015.
Sire of 31 Stakeswinners inc. 6 Group 1 winners from 1200m to 2500m
12% Stakes Performers/Runners in Australia
2025 Inglis Easter yearling sale average $503,000 for 10 lots
Due to COVID-19, no foals in 2021 (so no 3YOs in 2024/25)
347 foals in best & largest Australian crops of 2022, 2023 & 2024
Won HKJC Longines Hong Kong Cup, Gr.1 (2000m), Tokyo Tenno Sho (Autumn), Gr.1 (2000m), Yasuda Kinen, Gr.1 (1600m), Kyoto Mile Championship, Gr.1 (1600m), HKJC Longines Hong Kong Mile, Gr.1 (1600m), Champions Mile, Gr.1 (1600m), Nakayama Lord Derby Challenge Trophy, Gr.3 (1600m), Wakashio Sho (1600m), Hanshin Manryo Sho (1400m), 2nd Tokyo Yasuda Kinen, Gr.1.
BEST PROGENY
Sire of 31 Stakeswinners, 6 Group 1 winners & 39 other Stakes Performers
HITOTSU (dam by Redoute’s Choice) 1st Australian Guineas, Gr.1, Australian Derby, Gr.1, Victoria Derby, Gr.1. Sire.
MAZU (Flying Spur) 1st Doomben Ten Thousand S., Gr.1, Arrowfield 3YO Sprint S., Gr.2, Hall Mark S., Gr.3-twice, Brian Crowley S., L, Fireball S., L, Darby Munro S., L, 2d Premiere S., Gr.2-twice, Moreton Cup, Gr.2, ATC Nature Strip S., 3d TJ Smith S., Gr.1, Doomben Ten Thousand S., Gr.1, Shorts H., Gr.2, Pago Pago S., Gr.3, The Everest.
GERALDINA (Deep Impact) Champion Older Female 1st Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Gr.1, Nakayama All Comers, Gr.2, 2d Chukyo Naruo Kinen, Gr.3, 3d Nakayama Arima Kinen, Gr.1, Kokura Kinen, Gr.3, 4th Hong Kong Vase, Gr.1, Hanshin Takarazuka Kinen, Gr.1. plus Group 1-winners JACK D’OR, PIXIE KNIGHT & ADMIRE ZOOM
In 2024/25 – 9 Stakeswinners & 11 other Stakes Performers
ADMIRE ZOOM (dam by Heart’s Cry) 1st Kyoto Asahi Hai Futurity S., Gr.1, 2d Nakayama New Zealand Trophy, Gr.2
DANON MCKINLEY (Holy Roman Emperor) 1st Kyoto MBS Sho Swan S., Gr.2, 4th Meydan Al Quoz Sprint, Gr.1, Kyoto Hankyu Hai, Gr.3. NORTH BRIDGE (Admire Moon) 1st Sapporo Sapporo Kinen, Gr.2
ARTE VELOCE (Deep Impact) 1st Tokyo Saudi Arabia Royal Cup, Gr.3, 2d Chukyo Nikkan Sports Sho Shinzan Kinen, Gr.3, Hanshin Churchill Downs Cup, Gr.3
MAZU (Flying Spur) 1st Hall Mark S., Gr.3, 2d Premiere S., Gr.2, 3d Shorts H., Gr.2
AL NASEEM (Deep Impact) 1st Nakayama Kimpai, Gr.3. plus Stakeswinners in Japan BALSAM NOTE, STRAUSS & VEGA RISU
Matcha Latte (Redoute’s Choice) 1st $1 million Provincial-Midway Championships Final, 2d Cameron H., Gr.3, 4th Hawkesbury Gold Cup, Gr.3
Foujita San (Redoute’s Choice) 2d MRC Easter Cup, Gr.3, 4th Parramatta Cup, Gr.3. Ausbred Flirt (Keltrice) 2d Guy Walter S., Gr.2
Katsumi Orochi (Snitzel) 3d Blue Diamond Prelude (c&g), Gr.3.
Jenni Gone Bonkers (Pierro) 2d Show A Heart, L plus Stakes Performers in Japan T M Listed, Meisho Sorafune, Taisei Current, Matenro Sky, Z Lien, Meisho Hoshiai
YEARLING SALE HIGHLIGHTS 2025
$1.4 million Filly ex Shoals
$700,000 Filly ex Mallory
$550,000 Colt ex Star Pupil
$500,000 Colt ex Angel Of Mercy
NOTABLE NICKS
$503,000 Inglis Easter average for 10 lots
$212,381 Magic Millions average for 21 lots
As a shuttler between Shadai Farm in Japan and Arrowfield in Australia it is not surprising Maurice has nicked well with the preponderance of both SUNDAY SILENCE and REDOUTE’S CHOICE blood on offer.
Maurice is running at 20% SW/Runners with Redoute’s Choice mares inc. most notably 3-time Group 1 winner Hitotsu. Other sons of DANEHILL to nick well with him include FLYING SPUR, broodmare sire of Mazu, a Group 1 winner of nearly $6 million. Additionally, HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR, is the damsire of Group winner Danon McKinley and FASTNET ROCK is the dam sire of Stakeswinner & millionaire Danon Ayers Rock in Japan.
Maurice already has 5 Stakeswinners from mares by Sunday Silence’s champion son DEEP IMPACT including Group 1 winner Geraldina, Group 2 winner Divina and Group 3 winner Rooks Nest. Additionally, HEART’S CRY also by Sunday Silence is the broodmare sire of last season’s Japanese 2YO Group 1 winner Admire Zoom. Other sons of Sunday Silence to have daughters produce Group winners include SPECIAL WEEK and ADMIRE VEGA
Maurice carries a strain of Northern Dancer’s son LYPHARD on his female side. Interestingly, 3 of Maurice’s Group 1 winners and 8 of his Group winners have a duplication of Lyphard in their pedigree and his very fast son Kibou, winner of the Group 3 ATC Up and Coming Stakes carries an additional strain of Lyphard’s dam Goofed.
Maurice also has a Group winner from a HIGH CHAPARRAL mare and a stakes-winning Group 1 performer by High Chaparral’s son DUNDEEL - two of his 9 Stakes Performers from mares with SADLER’S WELLS blood.
Castelvecchio— Sensational young Group 1 sire
Dundeel – St. Therese Bay 2016 15.3hh
$49,500 inc. GST
Payable on Live Foal
Four days in the Spring & four days in the Autumn were all Castelvecchio needed to put his stamp upon the 2024/25 season, and make his first, decisive mark as a sire.
El Castello’s exuberant Spring Champion S. G1 & Gloaming S. G3 victories in October popped the cork on a cascade of Group & Listed success by Aeliana, Double Market, Shangri La Spring, Verona Rose & Comanche Miss.
Aeliana’s dazzling, 5-length Australian Derby G1 victory in April capped a season that will end with Castelvecchio 2nd on Australia’s Second Season Sires’ list by earnings, and 4th on the 3YO Sires’ Premiership by Stakes Wins, with considerably fewer runners than the three sires ahead of him.
Castelvecchio
PEDIGREE
Sadler’s Wells
High Chaparral
Dundeel
Stareel
Northern Dancer Fairy Bridge
Kasora Darshaan Kozana
Zabeel Sir Tristram Lady Giselle
Staring Fiesta Star Sweet Violet
Deputy Minister
Dehere
St. Therese
Vice Regent Mint Copy
Sister Dot Secretariat Sword Game
Aloe
Moon Scent
Alycidon Dader
Flash Miss James Flash in the Pan
RACE RECORD: 13 Starts 4-2-2 A$2,938,750.
World Thoroughbred Ranking; 120 (in 2019).
Sire of 6 Stakeswinners inc. first-crop Group 1 winners Aeliana (5-length ATC Derby winner) & El Castello
9% Stakeswinners/Runners & 7.5% Group winners/Runners
2025 yearlings sold up to $290,000 at Magic Millions Gold Coast
#4 Leading 3YO Sire in Australia 2024/25 above I Am Invincible (as at 8 June 2025)
Top 10 General Sire in Australia 2024/25 by Stakes Wins (as at 8 June 2025)
Covered 423 mares in his first 4 seasons
Won Rosehill Guineas, Gr.1 (2000m), Champagne S., Gr.1 (1600m), Inglis 2YO Millennium, RL (1200m), Maiden 2YO H. (1200m), 2nd WS Cox P., Gr.1, Spring Champion S., Gr.1, 3rd Sires’ Produce S., Gr.1, Skyline S., Gr.2, 4th Dulcify S., L
BEST PROGENY
Sire of 6 Stakeswinners inc. 2 Group 1 winners (9% SW/Runners)
AELIANA (dam by Star Witness) 1st Australian Derby, Gr.1, Carbine Club S., Gr.3, Reginald Allen H., L, 2d MRC Thousand Guineas, Gr.1, Rosehill Guineas, Gr.1, 3d Hobartville S., Gr.2, 4th Randwick Guineas, Gr.1
EL CASTELLO (Fastnet Rock) 1st Spring Champion S., Gr.1, Gloaming S., Gr.3, 2d Fernhill H., L.
DOUBLE MARKET (Redoute’s Choice) 1st Moonee Valley Fillies Classic, Gr.2
SHANGRI LA SPRING (Redoute’s Choice) 1st Frank Packer P., Gr.3, 3d Canberra Guineas, L, 4th Queensland Guineas, Gr.2, Carbine Club S., Gr.3
VERONA ROSE (Makfi) 1st Kembla Grange Classic, Gr.3, 4th Vinery Stud S., Gr.1
COMANCHE MISS (Rubiton) 1st Clare Lindop S., L, 2d Exford P., L, 4th Redoute’s Choice S., L
Onavuitton (Rothesay) 3d VRC Sires’ Produce S., Gr.2
YEARLING SALE HIGHLIGHTS 2025
$290,000 Colt ex Romalette
$180,000 Filly ex Iskander
$180,000 Colt ex Adamina
$180,000 Colt ex Kebede
WEANLING SALE HIGHLIGHTS 2025
$130,000 Filly ex La Fouine Tail
$110,000 Colt ex Wildpea
$100,000 Colt ex French Skyline
NOTABLE NICKS
$177,500 Magic Millions average for 4 lots
$101,429 Inglis Classic average for 7 lots
As Castelvecchio is Danehill-free and his own sire Dundeel has nicked particularly well with DANEHILL (Super Seth & Celestial Legend) it would seem logical Castelvecchio would be suited also by Danehill blood.
Castelvecchio’s brilliant Group 1 winner El Castello is from a FASTNET ROCK mare. (Remember Castelvecchio’s Group 1-winning half-sister Maid Of Heaven is by Fastnet Rock’s son Smart Missile.)
The outstanding Australian Derby winner Aeliana is from a fast STAR WITNESS (by Starcraft) mare who also carries ZABEEL blood. She is one of four 2024/25 Group 1 winners by Dundeel or his sons from mares with Zabeel blood, the others being La Dorada & Maison Louis (by Super Seth) plus Dundeel’s Derby-winning filly Femminile (whose grand-dam is by Fastnet Rock). Castelvecchio’s damsire DEHERE produced Group 1 winners Dear Demi and Invest from Zabeel mares.
Dundeel produced triple Group 1 winner Militarize and Group 1 performer Townsend from DUBAWI mares and Castelvecchio has the talented Group winner Verona Rose from a mare by Dubawi’s high-class son MAKFI. Makfi is also the damsire of Super Seth’s Group 1 Queensland Derby winner, Maison Louis.
There are high hopes in the Spring for the smart Castelvecchio filly Modella, who is from an I AM INVINCIBLE mare. Royal Ascot Group 1 winner Asfoora is also by a Sadler’s Wells-line sire from an I Am Invincible mare.
40 Years of Stallion-making at Arrowfield
“When he took a half-step outside his box”
John Messara’s recollection of the moment in late 1989 when he knew he just had to buy the horse that would re-engineer the Australian thoroughbred and transform the international bloodstock industry.
In 1985—
John Messara established Arrowfield with the acquisition of a controlling interest in the listed company Australian Racing & Breeding Stables (ARABS), followed a year later by the purchase of the Arrowfield winery and vineyard at Jerry’s Plains.
John, as a young, successful Sydney stock-broker, whose family had emigrated to Australia in the 1950s, was wellequipped to forge his own path in an environment where a head for business and an appetite for risk had become as vital as a horseman’s hands.
Just four years after Arrowfield’s foundation, with legendary vet Dr Percy Sykes at his side, John inspected the horse called Danehill, a big, powerful son of Danzig and Razyana bred in the United States by Juddmonte Farms and trained by Jeremy Tree for Prince Khalid Abdullah.
Described by Timeform as a “high-class colt” with “a quick, fluent action”, Danehill won four of his nine starts in England, Ireland & France, including the Haydock Sprint Cup G1 and Royal Ascot Cork and Orrery S. G2.
Inbred 3 x 3 to Natalma, the colt had a stallion’s pedigree to die for, and Dr Sykes was quick to excuse him for his only physical fault of being slightly back at the knee - a fault he shared with the great Australian sire Star Kingdom.
Arrowfield’s identification and subsequent purchase of Danehill with Coolmore launched a vibrant period of industry growth and reformation that continues now, well into the 21st century.
Danehill proved to be, as John described him, “the holy grail”. A staggering 16.8% of his named foals conceived at Arrowfield were stakeswinners, and 5.9% were Group 1 winners, including the three colts who would build the Stud on Danehill’s foundation: Champion 2YO Sire Danzero, Champion Sire Flying Spur and above all, the incomparable Redoute’s Choice.
With the Danehill line firmly secured at Arrowfield, John also began to search for stallions to complement an Australian broodmare population he knew would eventually end up in a genetic corner.
Above—Danehill sired 347 SW in 17 countries including a then world-record 84 Group 1 winners. His influence remains profound through Champion Sires Frankel, Dansili & Siyouni in Europe, and Redoute’s Choice, Snitzel, Fastnet Rock, Exceed And Excel & Zoustar in Australia.
In 1994—
After the closure of Trans Media Park Stud, Arrowfield acquired promising sire Snippets (by Tom Fool’s grandson Lunchtime from “blue hen” Easy Date). He proved to be immensely valuable not only for his 57 stakeswinners, nine at Group 1 level including the fine New Zealand sire Pins, but also as the damsire of major performers by Danehill’s sons, most notably Snitzel.
Right—Snippets won the AJC Sires’ Produce S. G1 and the inaugural 1987 Magic Millions Classic as a 2YO, and progressed at 3 to Group 1 sprinting glory in the Galaxy H. & the Oakleigh Plate. As well as Snitzel, his 92 SW as a damsire include Golden Slipper winners Crystal Lily & Overreach and Caulfield Cup winner Boom Time
In the wake of Danehill's departure after six seasons at Arrowfield, John Messara's attention turned to his Golden Slipper-winning sons Danzero & Flying Spur. Their success established Danehill as a significant sire of sires, but it was Arrowfield's third Danehill son who would anchor the dynasty and become a superstar in his own right.
Left—Danzero, Danehill’s first G1 winner & Arrowfield’s first Golden Slipper winner, retired to stud in 1995. He was Champion Sire of 2YOs in 2004, sired 40 SW (6 G1) & is now the damsire of 34 SW inc. multiple Group 1 winners Kolding & Danzdanzdance.
Right—1995 Golden Slipper winner Flying Spur became Champion Sire of Australia in 2007 on his way to a career tally of 99 Stakeswinners, 13 of them Group 1 winners. He is the sire of Magnus (32 SW) & grandsire of All Too Hard (30 SW), while his daughters have left 116 SW including Sebring (82 SW), Home Affairs & Pierata.
In 2000—
Danehill’s most celebrated son Redoute’s Choice arrived at Arrowfield, after a headline-making career on the track, including victory in the Blue Diamond S. G1 at just his second start and his epic defeat of Testa Rossa in the Caulfield Guineas G1.
Well before the end of his 19-season stud career, Redoute’s Choice achieved legend status with three General Australian Sires’ titles, two 2YO Sires’ premierships, 182 stakeswinners, 40 Group 1 winners and a slew of sale-ring records.
As his own progeny record concludes, his secondgeneration influence continues to grow. Redoute’s Choice has already won four Australian Broodmare Sire titles and 17 of his sons have sired Group 1 winners.
Above—Redoute’s Choice, seen here with John & Paul Messara in 2014, appears in the pedigrees of 16 winners of 23 Australian Group 1 races in 2024/25, from Marhoona’s Golden Slipper to the Melbourne Cup won by Knight’s Choice.
In 2003—
Arrowfield purchased the multiple Champion Sire of Chile, Hussonet (by Mr. Prospector) who subsequently left Australian Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler and three other Group 1 winners in his first two Australian crops. He lives on as the damsire of Not A Single Doubt’s exceptional sire son Extreme Choice, new stakes sire King’s Legacy (by Redoute’s Choice) and Arrowfield-bred Group 1 winners Shoals & Autumn Angel (by The Autumn Sun).
Below—Hussonet’s 22-year stud career in Chile, the USA & Australia produced 99 SW (9% of his runners) including 30 G1 winners. His global record as a damsire of 116 SW features G1 winners Lucky Bubbles & Ivictory (Hong Kong), Majmu & Soqrat (South Africa), Ascot Prince & Furia Cruzada (Chile) and Australian Champions Extreme Choice & Shoals.
In 2005—
Arrowfield’s focus returned to the Danehill sire-line when home-bred colt Not A Single Doubt, the very first stakeswinner by Redoute’s Choice, joined his sire on the roster. His career began slowly, and it famously took 708 days for him to leave a stakeswinner, but his record grew rapidly from there.
2011 brought the addition of another home-bred colt, the brilliant Group winner & Blue Diamond G1 placegetter Beneteau, who completed a powerful triumvirate of Redoute’s Choice sons at Arrowfield, but tragically left only two crops before his death in 2013. With 10 stakeswinners, including Group 1 winners Prompt Response & Lasqueti Spirit, from 107 runners, Beneteau remains the biggest “What if…” story in Arrowfield’s history.
Group 1-winning sprinter Snitzel arrived at Arrowfield in 2006, beginning a spectacular career that by the time of his death in June 2025 would ensure his permanent place among Australia’s greatest stallions.
And with more than 400 sons & daughters bred on six-figure fees and yet to run from his 2022-2025 crops, Snitzel’s record is far from complete.
SNITZEL’S CURRENT RECORD
Champion Sire of Australia – 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Champion Australian Sire of 2YOs – 2017, 2018, 2020, 2023, and leading in 2025
Champion Australian Sire of 3YOs – 2017, 2018
Sire of 160 SW (20 in 2024/25) including 23
Group 1 winners (4 in 2024/25)
12 Champions
62 2YO Stakeswinners (5 in 2024/25)
17 stakes-siring sons inc. 6 Group 1 sires
46 Stakeswinners as a broodmare sire inc. 6 Group 1 winners
Below—Not A Single Doubt began his stud career with 6 seasons at a fee of $13,750 and ended it on $110,000 as the sire of 84 SW inc. Farnan (Golden Slipper), Miracles Of Life (Blue Diamond), brilliant sire Extreme Choice and 13 other Group 1 winners.
Below—Snitzel was the dominant sire of his era in Australia, setting prizemoney, stakeswinner & yearling sale records en route to 11 major stallion premierships, and a stellar 2024/25 season of 20 SW including Group 1 winners Lady Shenandoah, Switzerland, Marhoona & Return To Conquer.
Over the past decade—
Arrowfield’s quest for quality stallions has broadened again, to encompass New Zealand-bred Champion & Hall of Famer Dundeel (by High Chaparral from Stareel, by Arrowfield brand-bearer Zabeel) and Japan’s Horse of the Year Maurice (from the Roberto sire-line). They won 12 Group 1 races between them and are now well-established Group 1 sires with their best-bred crops still coming on stream.
Bred by Arrowfield in partnership with the late HH Aga Khan IV, The Autumn Sun is the final masterpiece by Redoute’s Choice and is poised to extend the Danehill sire-line’s dominance well into the 21st century
Above—Dundeel made his mark on Australian racing with six superlative Group 1 victories at 3 & 4 and is now the sire of 9 Group 1 winners among 37 stakeswinners, including Group 1 sires Castelvecchio & Super Seth.
Right—The Autumn Sun was destined to follow his sire onto Arrowfield’s roster, after Group 1 success at two and 4 other elite victories including his breath-taking Caulfield Guineas win. The spotlight has not left him, thanks to 3 first-crop Group 1 winners, and still-developing talent like Autumn Glow & Know Thyself.
Left—Maurice, 6-time Group 1 winner and Horse of the Year, is the best horse ever to stand outside Japan. And he is living up to his billing as the sire of 31 stakeswinners, including Australian G1 winners Hitotsu & Mazu.
Above—Castelvecchio won the Champagne S. G1 and inaugural Inglis Millennium RL at two, and returned at 3 to land the Rosehill Guineas G1 and finish runner-up to Lys Gracieux in the Cox Plate G1. His breakthrough 2024/25 season has produced 6 stakeswinners.
Right—Arrowfield graduate Hitotsu returned home in 2023 as the history-making winner in succession of the Victoria Derby, Australian Guineas and Australian Derby.
Just as Danehill and Redoute’s Choice did before them, Dundeel and Maurice have furnished Arrowfield with a new generation of young sires. Dual Group 1 winner Castelvecchio (by Dundeel) has already left Group 1 winners Aeliana & El Castello from his first crop, and the first yearlings by triple Group 1 Classic winner Hitotsu (by Maurice) will sell in 2026.
Left—Vandeek arrives at Arrowfield in 2025 as the best performer by European sire sensation Havana Grey and the winner of the Prix Morny G1 & Middle Park S. G1 at two.
Arrowfield’s story comes full circle, and reaches a point of new beginning with 2025 freshman sire, the Champion 2YO & two-time Group 1 winner Vandeek (by Havana Grey) who also finished 3rd in the Newmarket July Cup G1 – 35 years to the day after his maternal great-grandsire Danehill filled the same position in the same race…
“You have to be prepared to take the long term view with everything you do... enduring success comes down to good strategic leadership, the quality of your team and integrity in your dealings.”
—John Messara
Hitotsu— History-making triple Group 1 Classic winner
Maurice – Love Is Fickle Brown 2018 16.0½ hh
$22.000 inc. GST
Payable on Live Foal
Hitotsu made Australian turf history in his 3YO Classic season.
Now he’s on the way to making his own history as a sire.
Strongly supported in his first two seasons by breeders including Arrowfield and a dynamic syndicate, Hitotsu has the largest crop of all 2023 first season sires and will have 120 3YOs running when his 2026 progeny sell as yearlings.
His first 11 weanlings through the ring have averaged three times his fee, with a top price of $140,000 achieved by both a colt and a filly.
His first yearlings will be seen by all the major buyers & stables at Australia’s best sales next year.
Hitotsu
PEDIGREE
Grass Wonder
Screen Hero Silver Hawk Ameriflora
Running Heroine Sunday Silence Dyna Actress
Maurice
Mejiro Frances
Redoute’s Choice
Love Is Fickle
She’s A Meanie
Carnegie Sadler’s Wells Detroit
Mejiro Monterey Mogami Mejiro Quincey
Danehill Danzig Razyana
Shantha’s Choice Canny Lad Dancing Show
Prince Salieri Salieri Caitie’s Kingdom
Shekanwyn Musical Phantasy Brauner Flight
RACE RECORD: 8 Starts 4-0-0 A$3,179,250.
3-time Group 1 winner from 1600m to 2500m
Won the VRC Derby, Australian Guineas & ATC Derby in succession from just 8 starts
Grandson of Arrowfield legend Redoute’s Choice
Covered 274 mares in his first 2 seasons
Weanlings averaged 3x Service Fee at Inglis Australian & Magic Millions 2025
First yearlings sell in 2026
Won Australian Guineas, Gr.1 (1600m), ATC Australian Derby, Gr.1 (2400m), VRC Victoria Derby, Gr.1 (2500m), DRC Pepper Hill Lodge Maiden P. (1350m)
HITOTSU
Hitotsu has received strong support by many successful Australian breeders, covering 274 mares in his first two seasons, so he will have more than 200 yearlings and foals on the ground by the end of 2025.
The dams of foals in Hitotsu’s first two crops include:
Group 1 winners / performer Angel Of Mercy, Brazilian Pulse, Never Listen
Group / Stakeswinners Barb Raider, Fromelles, I Am Serious, Lady Cumquat, Saavoya etc.
Sisters to Group 1 winners Able Friend, Alverta, Bonneval, Brave Smash, Cesario, Chenille, Dixie Blossoms, Headway, In Her Time, Irish Lights, Marialite, Mazu, Menari, Mentality, Nakeeta Jane, Pakistan Star, Peintre Celebre, Snitzerland, Stay With Me, Tosen Stardom etc.
plus the Dams of:
Group 1 winners Autumn Angel, Contentment, Knight’s Choice
Group winners Althoff, Genzano, Havana, Irithea, Kibou
Stakeswinners Champ Elect, Ganbare, Golden Cosmo, Let Me Sleep On It, You’re So Good
Group performers Ballet Blue, Invinsible Tears, Tchaikovsky
Stakes Performers Alburq, Calling The Wind, Crockett, Sassy Jenni, Sporting Chance
“He is one of the most talented horses I’ve ever trained, and I hope one day I can train his progeny.”
—Champion co-trainer Ciaron Maher on Hitotsu
WEANLING SALE HIGHLIGHTS 2025
$140,000 Colt ex Zhaojun
$140,000 Filly ex Evening Star
$75,000 Filly ex Cheyenne Sue
$75,000 Filly ex Run Pam Run
$70,000 Colt ex Smart Success
NOTABLE NICKS
$61,000 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale average for 7 lots
$60,750 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale average for 4 lots
Hitotsu is one of 31 Stakeswinners and 6 Group 1 winners by Japanese Horse of the Year Maurice. From a mare by Redoute’s Choice, he is one of 19 Stakes Performers bred on the Maurice/Danehill cross which also includes Group 1 winner and $9 million earner Mazu.
As a broodmare sire Redoute’s Choice is responsible for 30 Group 1 winners including leading sire Zoustar (by NORTHERN METEOR/ ENCOSTA DE LAGO) and up and comer Super Seth (DUNDEEL/HIGH CHAPARRAL). A clue to mating Hitotsu is the fact Zoustar has had great success breeding back to DANEHILL-line mares. Notably 75% of his Group 1 winners in Australia are from Danehill-line mares and he has 35% Stakes Performers from Snitzel mares. Accordingly, Hitotsu may similarly enjoy Danehill-line mares. We have attractive weanlings from mares by SNITZEL, FASTNET ROCK & CHOISIR.
As Maurice has produced Group 1 performing filly Noah ‘N’ A Deel from a DUNDEEL (High Chaparral) mare and 9 Stakes Performers from mares with SADLER’S WELLS blood, those bloodlines should similarly complement Hitotsu. We have 4 Dundeel mares in foal to Hitotsu now.
ZABEEL blood has nicked well with both Maurice and Redoute’s Choice and we expect will complement the stamina aspects of Hitotsu’s pedigree by doubling up the blue hen mares Special and Derna.
Maurice has produced 5 Stakeswinners from mares by Sunday Silence’s champion son DEEP IMPACT so it’s likely Hitotsu might also suit mares with SUNDAY SILENCE blood.
Vandeek— Unbeaten Champion 2YO
Havana Grey – Mosa Mine Grey 2021 16.1½ hh
$22,000 inc. GST
Payable on Live Foal
The trademark speed & precocity of Australian racing owes much to Europe.
Think Star Kingdom, Last Tycoon, Invincible Spirit. Danehill, bred in the USA, but raced in England. More recently, Too Darn Hot & Wootton Bassett.
That makes our new stallion for 2025 very easy to understand.
Jockey James Doyle described him as “a pure ball of speed.”
Co-trainer Simon Crisford said, “His amazing turn of foot set him apart from the others. He had a wonderful temperament and he was such a great pleasure to train. His Juddmonte Middle Park victory was sensational and I don’t think I’ve seen a better winner of that race…He was pure class.”
Arrowfield’s Jon Freyer says, “Vandeek is a stunning individual, combining athletic strength and quality. He has a great girth, shoulder and hip and a super masculine head. He looks very much what he was – fast! He’s like a silver bullet.”
Vandeek PEDIGREE
Teofilo
Havana Gold Galileo Speirbhean
Jessica’s Dream Desert Style Ziffany
Havana Grey
Blanc De Chine
Mosa Mine
Exceed And Excel
Dark Angel Acclamation
Midnight Angel
Nullarbor Green Desert Bloudan
Danehill Danzig Razyana
Patrona Lomond Gladiolus
Lead On Time Nureyev Alathea
Bamieres Riverman Bergamasque
RACE RECORD: 6 Starts 4-0-2 £517,311
Two-time Group 1 winner at 2 in England & France
625,000 guineas breeze-up sale-topper in April 2023...
...and 4 months later won the Deauville Prix Morny G1 (beating 7 GW inc. G1w Ramatuelle) followed by victory in the Newmarket Middle Park S. G1 (beating 5 GW)
Impressive winner of the 2YO Goodwood Richmond S. G2 and third in the Newmarket July Cup G1 at 3 (beating 4 G1 winners)
Best performer by sire sensation Havana Grey: Europe’s Leading First, Second & Third Season Sire
Won Deauville Prix Morny, Gr.1, Newmarket Middle Park S., Gr.1, Goodwood Richmond S., Gr.2, 3d Newmarket July Cup, Gr.1, Haydock Sandy Lane S., Gr.2
Baldemosa
VANDEEK
• The highest-rated British-trained juvenile of 2023
• Rated 2lbs higher than his Champion Sire, Havana Grey
• Unbeaten in 4 starts at two: Richmond S. G2 – won by Star Kingdom, Middle Park S. G1 – won by Showdown & Prix Morny G1
• Third in both runs at 3 (Haydock Sandy Lane S. G2, Newmarket July Cup G1) before a minor injury ended his career
• From the family of Champion Sprinter & Leading Sire Anabaa
• Vandeek’s half-brother Gstaad: 2 wins at 2 inc. 2025 Royal Ascot Coventry S. G2
“He was an exceptional racehorse blessed with a blistering turn of pace”
—Jockey
James Doyle on Vandeek
HAVANA GREY – THE UPGRADER
• Sire of 8.5% SW/Runners from mares that have produced 2.8% SW by other sires
• Havana Grey boasts 23 SW & 12 GW from his first three crops bred at only £8,000, £6,500 & £6,000
• Europe’s Leading First, Second & Third Season Sire
• Outstanding 8.5% SW/Runners – better than Siyouni & Wootton Bassett at the same stage of their careers (as at February 2025)
• 2025 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale Topper – Havana Grey-Show Stealer (Showcasing) colt sold to Amo Racing for a record price of 1.75m Guineas (bred at a £6,000 service fee)
NOTABLE NICKS
With any first season sire we look to his own pedigree for mating pointers. Vandeek’s sire Havana Grey is from the SADLER’S WELLS sireline but he is out of a mare by DARK ANGEL, the stallion he and his offspring most closely resemble physically. The best of Dark Angel’s progeny is HARRY ANGEL, now a successful sire whose best performers thus far, Tom Kitten, Private Harry and Angel Capital, all carry DANEHILL blood on their female side. Vandeek’s half-brother Gstaad, a Royal Ascot Group 2-winning 2YO, is also by a Danehill-line stallion in STARSPANGLED BANNER by CHOISIR (4x3 Danehill).
Dark Angel’s other outstanding performers are Champion Sprinter Battaash, from a mare by a son of Invincible Spirit, and Charyn, out of a mare by Kodiac, who is himself a half-brother to Invincible Spirit. Accordingly, we expect I AM INVINCIBLE mares to suit Vandeek on pedigree and type. Havana Grey also has over 21% SW/Runners ex mares by sons of Invincible Spirit.
Havana Grey has nicked particularly well with Ahonoora blood so IFFRAAJ, WOOTTON BASSETT and DREAM AHEAD mares may similarly suit Vandeek.
Vandeek is one of 15 Group 1 winners from an Exceed And Excel mare, 7 of whom are by Sadler’s Wells-line stallions like himself. As a sire in his own right Exceed And Excel has produced 219 Stakeswinners and 20 Group 1 winners. His most successful offspring are by daughters of ELUSIVE QUALITY (11 SW @ 17%) ENCOSTA DE LAGO, (8 SW @ 12%), LONHRO (8 SW @13%) and SNIPPETS (6 SW @20%). Therefore, mares by these stallions should be considered for Vandeek.
Lope De Vega is inbred 3 x 3 to MACHIAVELLIAN and his daughters have done well when mated to stallions carrying another strain of Machiavellian, as Vandeek does through Dark Angel, so they too should be considered.
Farewell & thank you, Snitzel
On 11 June 2025 Snitzel died at Arrowfield, his home for nearly two decades and the base for one of the most exceptional stallion careers in Australian thoroughbred breeding history.
Arrowfield acknowledges the profound impact of his passing, not only as the loss of a great horse, but as the end of a significant chapter in the stud’s history. Snitzel was more than a commercial success; he was a reliable and stoic presence who shaped the daily rhythm of life at the farm and anchored many careers.
The farm also recognises the many people and partnerships that made Snitzel’s stud career possible. These include the ownership partners who supported him from the beginning; and the many breeders, buyers, trainers and jockeys who contributed to the success of his progeny across Australia and internationally.
Snitzel, a son of Redoute’s Choice and grandson of Danehill, was a Group 1-winning sprinter on the track and became an era-defining sire at stud.
From the time he joined the Arrowfield roster in 2006, his trajectory was marked by consistent excellence and broad influence. He would go on to sire 160 stakeswinners, including multiple Group 1 champions, and leave an indelible mark on the national breeding landscape.
Snitzel’s influence extends well beyond Arrowfield. His dominance of Australian sire rankings, his versatility across sprinters and stayers, and his ability to upgrade his mares made him one of the most valuable and reliable stallions of the modern era. His sons and daughters have carried his qualities forward and are already proving themselves in the breeding shed, ensuring that his legacy will continue.
Like his sire Redoute’s Choice and grandsire Danehill, Snitzel became a cornerstone not only of Arrowfield’s breeding program, but of the broader Australian thoroughbred industry. His contribution to the sport, measured in champions, premierships, and the people he brought together, will not be forgotten.
Contact our team
Book your mare to an Arrowfield stallion today.
Jon Freyer
Bloodstock Manager +61 408 583 888 jon.freyer@arrowfield.com.au
Sally Gordon Sales and Nominations Manager +61 421 080 021 sally.gordon@arrowfield.com.au
Alison Brassil Nominations Consultant
+61 439 338 630 alison.brassil@arrowfield.com.au
Mitchell Ralph Nominations Consultant
+61 475 258 950 mitchell.ralph@arrowfield.com.au
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Scone NSW 2337
Australia
+61 2 6545 3999
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Australia
+61 2 9909 5555
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