Il Cavallo
Race Images Christchurch
Richly-bred speedster Il Cavallo is being prepared for a return to racing after a disastrous spring at Chequers Stud.
Cambridge brothers Mark Fraser-Campin and Chris Campin purchased the well-related son of Choisir as a stallion proposition, but the three-quarter brother to the champion European and Australian sprinter Starspangledbanner soon displayed an unfortunate family trait.
"He's basically infertile, he only got three mares officially in foal," Fraser-Campin said.
"Obviously, it was a disaster of a season for us. We got him for all the right reasons and it's just been very unfortunate.
"We had 80 mares booked to him so we would like to thank all those breeders for their support and patience during what was a tough and disappointing time for all concerned.
"Starspangledbanner also suffered from fertility issues, and only covers a limited book, so maybe it's something in the family."
The winner Il Cavallo, won five races and was stakes-placed in the Listed Carlyon Stakes in Melbourne. He also had two starts in New Zealand and finished runner-up in the Listed Pegasus Stakes at Riccarton before his ill-fated stint at stud.
"We decided to try him again as a racehorse so we've gelded him," Fraser-Campin said.
"As a stallion it was hard to get weight off him, he was a big, heavy horse and now he's come down from 650 to 595kg. He's done six weeks on the treadmill and has been back in full work for a couple of weeks.
"He'll probably have a trial in February and by the time he's ready all the big sprints will have gone so we'll look for an open race for him. We could possibly look at Brisbane if he came up really well.
"It isn't going to be easy, but we like a challenge. As one door closes, another opens." – NZ Racing Desk.
Cambridge brothers Mark Fraser-Campin and Chris Campin purchased the well-related son of Choisir as a stallion proposition, but the three-quarter brother to the champion European and Australian sprinter Starspangledbanner soon displayed an unfortunate family trait.
"He's basically infertile, he only got three mares officially in foal," Fraser-Campin said.
"Obviously, it was a disaster of a season for us. We got him for all the right reasons and it's just been very unfortunate.
"We had 80 mares booked to him so we would like to thank all those breeders for their support and patience during what was a tough and disappointing time for all concerned.
"Starspangledbanner also suffered from fertility issues, and only covers a limited book, so maybe it's something in the family."
The winner Il Cavallo, won five races and was stakes-placed in the Listed Carlyon Stakes in Melbourne. He also had two starts in New Zealand and finished runner-up in the Listed Pegasus Stakes at Riccarton before his ill-fated stint at stud.
"We decided to try him again as a racehorse so we've gelded him," Fraser-Campin said.
"As a stallion it was hard to get weight off him, he was a big, heavy horse and now he's come down from 650 to 595kg. He's done six weeks on the treadmill and has been back in full work for a couple of weeks.
"He'll probably have a trial in February and by the time he's ready all the big sprints will have gone so we'll look for an open race for him. We could possibly look at Brisbane if he came up really well.
"It isn't going to be easy, but we like a challenge. As one door closes, another opens." – NZ Racing Desk.
