‘From the days of Danehill’ – The Autumn Sun rises to lead Arrowfield stallion roster

Arrowfield Stud has set its 2026 stallion fees after a brilliant Sydney autumn carnival that delivered 10 Group 1 wins for four of its sires, with The Autumn Sun moving to the top of the roster and continuing the ascension of the Danehill-line stallions at the Hunter Valley farm.

The Autumn Sun, whose daughter Autumn Glow and three-year-old colt Autumn Boy have enjoyed stellar seasons, will stand for an increased fee of $137,500 (all fees inc GST) to head Dundeel ($66,000), who will stand for a reduced fee this year.

Castelvecchio, a son of Dundeel, has continued his upward trajectory with his fee set by the John Messara-chaired Arrowfield at a fee of $60,500 on a seven-stallion roster.

His first crop daughter Aeliana, a Chris Waller-trained stablemate of Autumn Glow and Autumn Boy, won the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes and Tancred Stakes, the latter in an enthralling duel with William Haggas’ import Dubai Honour.

But it was the rise of The Autumn Sun which gives Messara great satisfaction, being a grandson of Danehill and a son of fellow Arrowfield and Australian champion sire Redoute’s Choice.

It will be the second year Arrowfield will be without Snitzel, another son of Redoute’s Choice who is on the verge of a fifth Australian champion sires’ title.

“We’ve developed that line from the days of Danehill, so we’ve been at it a while, and we’ve been fortunate enough to have I think the best ones from that line and now The Autumn Sun is emerging,” Messara told The Straight.

“He’s got them (good horses) in every division, they’ll stick a bit; they’ll sprint. They (yearling buyers) were thinking he wasn’t going to get males but he’s getting plenty of males now that are going well.

“I think he’s got a few horses on the sidelines that are about to hit the tracks in the next few weeks, so I’d say there’ll be further black-type results coming through.”

Dundeel, the sire of Coolmore’s $70 million recruit Super Seth, had four-year-old daughter Idle Flyer win the Queen of the Turf Stakes on day two of The Championships at Randwick.

“Dundeel has had a very good year with his fillies this year. He’s levelled out his male and female results quite a bit,” Messara said. 

“He’s got two sons at stud who are both very promising, Super Seth and Castelvecchio, and he’s had 10 individual Group 1 winners (to date). 

“We’ve made him very achievable (at that fee) for any breeder.”

Japanese shuttler Maurice, the sire of Saturday’s Hall Mark Stakes winner and $10.8 million earner Mazu, has had his fee set at a reduced $44,000 while Juddmonte-owned shuttler Lead Artist will stand at $27,500.

As well as Mazu continuing his consistent form, Maurice is also the sire of the Bob Peters-owned Cosmic Crusader, the winner of the Group 1 Northerly Stakes in Perth last December.

“I suggest to (breeders) that they don’t let him go this year,” Messara said of Maurice.

“I’m expecting a huge amount of racing activity and results from him over the next two years, particularly with his three-year-olds (next season). 

“If you’ve been with him, stick with him and if you haven’t been with him, it’s a bloody good time to get involved.”

Arrowfield announced in January that Lead Artist, a son of Dubawi, would shuttle this year with Messara on Wednesday declaring “he’s got a pedigree from heaven”.

“It’s a sire line that’s on heat at the moment and it’s the Mr Prospector line, of course, and he’s a very successful maker of stallions and we’ve got one out of a Frankel mare there from maybe the best family in Europe, Hasili’s family, a Juddmonte family,” he said.

“I think he’s a beauty at $25,000; it’s amazing value and he’ll be getting mares from us which could justify going to $200,000 stallions because I think he’s just got so much potential.” 

Fellow European shuttler Vandeek, a half-brother to Coolmore-owned Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and Coventry Stakes winner Gstaad, remains at a fee of $22,000 for his second season.

A son of Maurice, Hitotsu’s first crop will be two-year-olds next season and will stand at $16,500.

Messara said Arrowfield would be supporting its roster to the hilt with its large broodmare band.

“I think our service fees, for the quality of stallions that we’re offering, represent really good value and we’ll be using our stallions extensively with our 250-odd mares,” he said. 

“There might be 20 or 30 going out (to other stud farms’ stallions) but the great majority will be going to our stallions.

“I’m proud of all those horses and I think we’ve priced them pretty fairly.”

Arrowfield Stud 2026 stallion roster 

The Autumn Sun $137,500 ($66,000)

Dundeel $66,000 ($88,000)

Castelvecchio $60,500 ($49,500)

Maurice $44,000 ($55,000)

Lead Artist $27,500 (new)

Vandeek $22,000 ($22,000)

Hitotsu $16,500 ($22,000)