Arrowfield Stud has today announced the fees for the nine stallions on its roster for the 2022 Australian breeding season.  

Arrowfield’s Chairman John Messara says, “Australian breeders have thrived in the unusual circumstances of the past two years with record yearling sales and prizemoney driving great enthusiasm for our sport and major investment in our industry.

“Nevertheless, our feet stay firmly on the ground with fees that we believe will encourage breeders to join Arrowfield in the thrilling quest for racetrack and sale-ring success.” 
 
Four-time Champion Sire Snitzel, enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, returns to his pre-covid fee of $220,000 inc. GST. His 16 stakeswinners in 2021/22, including Group 1 winners In The Congo, Wild Ruler & Yearning, and his career-high $717,708 Inglis Easter average confirm his status as a compelling option for elite mares. Snitzel’s 2022 book will be strictly limited. 
 
Leading Second Season Sire Maurice will stand at a new fee of $82,500 inc. GST in the wake of his breakthrough season, headed by triple Group 1 Classic winner Hitotsu, exciting 3YO sprinter Mazu and 29 other Australian winners. Maurice’s major sale yearlings (sold at Magic Millions and Inglis Classic, Premier & Easter) averaged $195,212 with 13 making $250,000 or more, and a top price of $500,000 achieved at Inglis Easter. 
 
Shalaa, whose 34 Australian winners from two crops this season include Group-winning 2YOs Semillion & Seven Veils, will be offered at $33,000 inc. GST. Shalaa’s 53 major sale yearlings averaged 5.7 times that fee with a top price of $500,000. 

Castelvecchio, distinguished by his Group 1 victories at both two & three, will stand at a slightly reduced third season fee of $27,500 inc. GST. He covered 248 mares in his first two books and likely headliners among his first foals include a colt out of Miss Finland (Champion & dam of G1 winner Stay With Me) and a filly out of Love Is Fickle (dam of 3-time G1 winner Hitotsu). 

– Arrowfield

Two of the stable stars for champion trainer Chris Waller are Torryburn Stud bred and sold 3YO’s Home Affairs and Espiona and he now has a third Torryburn graduate star 3YO on the rise in Straight Arron, who charged to victory in the Group III ATC Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Fastnet Rock gelding Straight Arron has been given plenty of time to mature winning his debut at Sandown on January 5, before returning to Sydney to finish second at Warwick Farm on March 23.

He hit the line hard on that occasion in a strong race and was sent out favourite for the Carbine Club despite the step up in distance and very heavy conditions.

Ridden quietly by James McDonald, Straight Arron unwound a big finish in the straight, zooming past his rivals to win running away by nearly three lengths in a most dominant display.

“He showed good acceleration and made it look easy. The owners have been happy for me to take my time with him and have been very patient,” said Chris Waller, who has not planned beyond today for Straight Arron.

“With horses like that we can keep raising the bar, so he has a really bright future and his pedigree would suggest he will get 2000m and further.”

– Tara Madgwick