Dual Group 1-winning sprinter Rebel Dane to stand at Swettenham

Another grandson of Danehill is to join the Australian stallion ranks following news that dual Group 1 winner Rebel Dane will stand at Swettenham Stud in Victoria once he finishes racing.

The battle-hardened sprinter, now seven, still has a number of possible targets over the coming weeks before the curtain comes down on his career.

The son of California Dane won the Group 1 Rupert Clarke Stakes at four, and added the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley last October.

Rebel Dane’s other wins include the Group 2 The Shorts, Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes and Group 3 Show County, while his only start over a mile saw him finish fourth to It's A Dundeel in the Randwick Guineas.

Louis Mihalyka of Laurel Oak Bloodstock, his managing owner, said: "Standing Rebel Dane in Victoria was a natural fit as the horse has won his two Group 1s there."

Adam Sangster, principal of Swettenham Stud, added: "The opportunity to access a dual Group 1-winning sprinter is rare for Victorian breeders, especially the winner of one of our iconic sprint races in the Manikato Stakes.

"We were keen to get the stallion for Swettenham Stud and Victoria and were delighted when the owners agreed. He will provide Victorian breeders the opportunity to access a sound, high-class sprinter bred on the successful Danehill/More Than Ready cross that will complement Swettenham's existing stallion roster."

Rebel Dane will stand at Swettenham alongside shuttlers Equiano and Toronado, and a stud fee will be announced at a later date.

Mikki Isle to make impact at Arrowfield

Joining Rebel Dane in the Australian stallion ranks will be Mikki Isle, who will shuttle from Japan to Arrowfield Stud in New South Wales for the 2017 breeding season.

The son of Deep Impact won eight races, including two at Group 1 level in the Mile Championship at Kyoto and the Mile Cup at Tokyo.

This top-class mile form was complemented by Mikki Isle with elite placings over six furlongs in consecutive runnings of the Chukyo Takamatsunomiya Kinen, and a second in last year’s Nakayama Sprinters Stakes.

With his trademark front-running style, he was rated Japan’s champion sprinter and miler of 2016.

Mikki Isle was bred by Katsumi Yoshida’s Northern Farm from the Rock of Gibraltar mare Star Isle, a granddaughter of three-time Grade 1 juvenile winner Stella Madrid, who defeated champion filly Go For Wand in the Belmont Frizette Stakes.

Now serving his first book of mares at Shadai Stallion Station, Mikki Isle will join Real Impact - also a dual Group 1-winning son of Deep Impact - on this year’s shuttle run to Arrowfield, which has acquired an interest in both horses.

Arrowfield will announce its 2017 stallion fees after the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

Mikki Isle survives stewards' inquiry to land Grade 1 in Japan