Arrowfield Stud has confirmed its 2026 stallion fees, following a standout Sydney Autumn Carnival that delivered 10 Group 1 victories for four of its sires.
The Autumn Sun will headline the roster for the first time, with his service fee set at $137,500 (inc GST) after producing top-level performers including superstar Autumn Glow and dual Group 1 Guineas winner Autumn Boy.
With five Group 1 winners from his first three crops, The Autumn Sun continues to establish himself as an emerging elite sire, with additional talent including Group winner Autumn Break, multiple Group 1 placegetter After Summer and Hong Kong performer Sky Jewellery.
His yearlings have also performed strongly in the sales ring in 2026, topping at $650,000 for a Tyreel Stud filly out of Pacific Dragon at Magic Millions on the Gold Coast.
Arrowfield Chairman John Messara reinforced the stud’s confidence in the stallion.
“The arrival of Autumn Glow from his second crop, and Autumn Boy from his third crop confirm our assessment of The Autumn Sun as a very significant sire for this part of the world. He is likely to finish in the top three or four stallions on the General Sires’ Premiership this season with half the runners of his immediate competitors.
“The Autumn Sun served a wonderful book of 178 mares in 2025 and we’ve backed our own judgement with 30 Arrowfield mares in foal to him because we believe he will succeed Snitzel and Not A Single Doubt as a champion sire son of Redoute’s Choice.”
New to the roster in 2026 is Group 1-winning miler Lead Artist, a son of Dubawi from Juddmonte’s renowned Hasili family, who will stand his first season at $27,500 (inc GST).
Messara said the new addition had generated strong excitement.
“I haven’t been this excited about a new stallion since we acquired Danehill from Juddmonte in 1989. Lead Artist fills the bill for me on every count, pedigree, performance and physique, and I know he is going to match what many other breeders are looking for too.”
Proven sire Dundeel will stand at $66,000 (inc GST) following another productive year that included Group 1 winners Idle Flyer and Femminile, along with 15 stakes performers. His influence continues to grow through sire sons Super Seth and Castelvecchio, while he also produced another seven-figure yearling at Inglis Easter.
Maurice has also enjoyed continued success, producing Group 1 winner Cosmic Crusader and high-earning performer Mazu, contributing to a 12.5% stakes performers-to-runners strike rate. He will stand at $44,000 (inc GST) in 2026.
“Dundeel and Maurice are both thoroughly proven Group 1 sires in the ‘sweet spot’ of their prime time, when research tells us they will leave most of their best performers. That makes them tempting value at their new fees, and we will certainly continue to support them ourselves,” Messara said.
Castelvecchio’s profile continues to rise after a strong autumn featuring triple Group 1 winner Aeliana and Group 2 winner Verona Rose. His yearlings averaged $300,000 at Inglis Easter, achieving 6.3 times his 2023 service fee. He will stand at $60,500 (inc GST).
Champion two-year-old Vandeek, a dual Group 1 winner, covered a full book of 151 mares in his first season and will return from Cheveley Park Stud this spring. His fee remains unchanged at $22,000 (inc GST).
Meanwhile, first-season sire Hitotsu has made a positive impression, with 50 of his 56 yearlings sold at auction for an average of 4.2 times his initial fee. His top lot was a $480,000 colt purchased by trainer Ciaron Maher at Inglis Premier. Hitotsu will stand at $16,500 (inc GST) for his fourth season.
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