Arrowfield Stud has announced Saturday’s G1 Underwood Stakes winner It’s A Dundeel will stand at its Hunter Valley base in 2014.

It’s A Dundeel (4h High Chaparral – Stareel by Zabeel) will continue his spring campaign for current owners Transtasman Syndicate.  He remains in the care of trainer Murray Baker and his major target is the G1 W S Cox Plate on October 26.

“It’s A Dundeel’s pedigree combines the brilliance and classic stamina of Sadler’s Wells and Zabeel infused with the incomparable speed of Luskin Star to create a racehorse of superlative quality over a range of distances,” Arrowfield Chairman John Messara said on Monday.

“The Underwood win – his fifth at Group 1 level – highlights both his weight-for-age class and the turn of foot he had previously demonstrated in his emphatic seven-length victory in the Rosehill Guineas.  He is indeed the real deal.”

The High Chaparral colt won on debut in New Zealand as a 2YO and was sent to Sydney this time last year for a G1 victory in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

He returned in the autumn to claim the G1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) in race record time, G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and G1 Australian Derby (2400m).

It’s A Dundeel was subsequently awarded an international rating of 120.  That confirmed him as the world’s equal best 3YO in the middle-distance category on the official Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.  He was also the 2012-13 Champion NZ 3YO & NSW Champion Horse of the Year.

“We’re delighted that Arrowfield has agreed to stand It’s A Dundeel,” part-owner and breeder Murray Andersen said.  “It secures his place on a major Australian stallion roster that will give him the opportunity he deserves.”

IT’S A DUNDEEL