Stud failure Il Cavallo to return to track

A three-quarter brother to fertility-challenged Starspangledbanner has shown the same trait and will return to racing as a gelding.

Il Cavallo, a stakes placegetter in Australia, only managed to get three mares in foal at New Zealand’s Chequers Stud.

Brothers Mark Fraser-Campin and Chris Campin bought Il Cavallo as a stallion proposition but it was not to be.

“He’s basically infertile. He only got three mares officially in foal,” Fraser-Campin told nzracing.co.

“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.

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“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.”

“We decided to try him again as a racehorse so we’ve gelded him.

“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.”

Fraser-Campin said Il Cavallo would have a barrier trial in February and if he came back well, the Brisbane winter carnival was an option.

“It isn’t going to be easy, but we like a challenge. As one door closes, another opens,” he said.