Written Tycoon joins Arrowfield roster as Japanese sires sit out shuttle

Arrowfield Stud in New South Wales has announced its 2020 stallion roster in what chairman John Messara described as “unprecedented circumstances in Australia's history”.

It features the addition of leading Victoria-based sire Written Tycoon in a new alliance and a temporary absence of its Japanese shuttlers due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Written Tycoon, a 17-year-old son of Iglesia, rose from relatively humble origins at Woodside Park Stud to become a leading light of the Australian stallion ranks, with his progeny including Group 1 winners Booker, Capitalist, Despatch, Luna Rossa, Music Magnate, Pippie, Tycoon Tara and Written By.

He was also responsible for a filly out of Karuta Queen who sold to Sheamus Mills for A$1.5 million at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale in January, the third highest priced yearling of the auction.

His fee has been reduced to A$77,000 (£40,260/€46,350) from A$110,000 in his first season at Arrowfield Stud.

“We're excited to join forces with Woodside Park Stud to stand Written Tycoon at Arrowfield in 2020 and welcome the possibilities our alliance might deliver in the future,” said Messara.

“Woodside will continue to support Written Tycoon and Arrowfield has already committed to backing him strongly with quality mares from our broodmare band.”

The other new face at Arrowfield Stud this year will be Castelvecchio, a Group 1 winner at two and three in the Champagne Stakes and Rosehill Guineas respectively. He joins his sire Dundeel on the roster.

Messara explained that his retirement had been prompted by the decision not to travel Japanese sires Maurice, Mikki Isle and Real Steel this year.

“Castelvecchio is a horse we simply had to have after his amazing juvenile season and his world-class second to Lys Gracieux in the Cox Plate,” he said. “He confirmed our assessment of him with his Rosehill Guineas win and we were very much looking forward to his spring four-year-old campaign.

“However, due to the current economic upheaval caused by Covid-19, we have mutually agreed with Shadai Stallion Station to rest our Japanese shuttle stallions in 2020. That decision and Not A Single Doubt’s retirement present a breeding opportunity for Castelvecchio that we simply can’t ignore.”

A statement from Arrowfield Stud reported that Castelvecchio would benefit from joining a smaller than usual stallion roster and that as he is free of Danehill blood he would receive many of the operation's mares descending from the legendary shuttler.

Castelvecchio has been assigned an opening fee of A$33,000 (£17,260/€19,860) while Dundeel's price remains unchanged at A$66,000 (£34,510/€39,720).

Reigning Australian champion sire Snitzel has had his fee cut from A$220,000 in 2019 to A$165,000 (£86,290/€99,320) in light of market uncertainty caused by the coronavirus crisis.

Arrowfield Stud noted in its fee announcement that “Snitzel recently celebrated both his 28th million-dollar yearling and his 100th individual stakes winner, propelling him back to the top of the current general sires championship.

“If he secures the 2019/20 title, Snitzel will be the first stallion since his grandsire Danehill to win four consecutive Australian sire championships.”

Price reductions have also been applied to champion The Autumn Sun in his second season – he goes from A$77,000 to A$66,000 (£34,510/€39,720) – and Group 1-placed sprinter Pariah, who is down to A$16,500 (£8,630/€9,930) from A$22,000 for his third term. Both are by late Arrowfield Stud grandee Redoute's Choice.

Shalaa, who stands at Haras de Bouquetot in Normandy, remains on a mark of A$33,000 (£17,270/€19,870) in his Australian shuttle role, while syndicated Group 2-winning sprinter Showtime has also had his fee left unaltered at A$11,000 (£5,760/€6,625).

Arrowfield said that almost all of the 300-plus mares it controls would visit the eight stallions on its 2020 roster – “a valuable support for other breeders, given the stud's consistent record as a source of Arrowfield stallions' career-making stars,” according to the operation.

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