Arrowfield Stud has withdrawn champion Australian sire Flying Spur from stallion service. The 20-year-old son of Danehill out of the Mr. Prospector mare Rolls experienced a sudden and irreversible decline in fertility this season at the farm.
Arrowfield chairman John Messara said, "Flying Spur is a very special horse for us, as we bred him, raced him in partnership, and have been proud to stand him since 1997. He is one of the pillars upon which Arrowfield Stud has been built and his home will be here with us for the rest of his life. We are very grateful to the Flying Spur Syndicate, and the breeders, buyers, owners, and trainers who have supported him over the past 17 years.
"However, with more than 250 current 2-year-olds, yearlings, and foals, Flying Spur's story is far from over and his sought after broodmare daughters and emerging sire sons will ensure he appears in top-class pedigrees for years to come."
Flying Spur was an outstanding racehorse, the winner of six races at 2 and 3 including three group I events.
He began his stud career in 1996, then shuttled to Ireland for one season in 1997. He returned in the spring of that year to Arrowfield where he has been based ever since.
To date Flying Spur has sired 88 stakes winners, 12 of them successful at the group I level. Flying Spur is already the broodmare sire of several group I winners among 33 stakes winners.