Arrowfield Stud has suffered a major and late blow on the eve of the breeding season, with shuttle sire Vandeek ruled out of action for the entire spring.
The 5-year-old son of Havana Grey was found to have incurred a tendon injury while in quarantine in Victoria ahead of his transfer to the Hunter Valley.
He had been due to stand his second shuttle season, at an unchanged AU$22,000, after a hugely popular first Australian spring last year in which he served 151 mares.
But the gray sprinter will now recover at Arrowfield before being returned to England's Cheveley Park Stud ahead of the northern season.
Arrowfield owner John Messara said the news came as a heavy setback so close to the Sept. 1 start of the breeding season, with Vandeek having filled a speed berth in the farm's seven-stallion roster, as well as a 2-year-old profile.
"It's a big disappointment so close to the season starting," Messara told ANZ News.
"It's a blow because we're getting the first of his foals and they're very nice foals and we're very keen about this horse. He's a terrific speed horse for us.
"And his half brother Gstaad has done so well in Europe in the last 12 months, to add a bit of sauce to the meal."
The Aidan O'Brien-trained Gstaad has won four of his 10 starts and placed second in his other six since debuting in May 2025. His wins have included two at the elite level—in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) in November at Del Mar, then in his second start at 3 in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) by 3 lengths.
Vandeek's injury is also to a hind leg. Some mystery surrounds how it was suffered, with no outward signs that he'd hit himself while in quarantine, such as a cut or an abrasion.
But the fact the injury was sustained in a hind tendon meant the task of serving some three mares a day on his hind legs would be beyond him.
"We've had various vets look at him and by far the most prudent way forward is to give him time to recover," Messara said.
"We'll let him recover here until we feel comfortable that he's over it and can travel back to England. We like to send the package back as well as it arrived."
Messara said Arrowfield would be eager to have Vandeek return next year.
"We're very bullish about the horse," he said. "We like the pedigree, he's a great type, and he's thrown these lovely foals. ... We're hoping he can resume stud duties with us next year."
