Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown will not be returning to Australia for the upcoming thoroughbred breeding season, Vinery Stud announced on Monday.
A Vinery statement said the high-profile stallion was unfit to shuttle for a third southern hemisphere season because of a leg injury.
Big Brown has reportedly sustained a cut to his hind leg.
The laceration became infected and veterinarians have advised against travelling Big Brown because his time in quarantine could delay his recovery.
The 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, Big Brown has so far sired three two-year-old winners in the United States from his first crop.
“We are very happy for those breeders who took the opportunity to send mares to Big Brown in his first two seasons – 130 plus each year,” Vinery’s Peter Orton said.
“It looks like he is going to reward their support given good early results and the promise of so much more to come.”