High-profile southern hemisphere shareholders in Cable
Bay will fight a court order preventing the stallion from shuttling to
Australia this year after its British partners launched legal action last week
to stop the horse from travelling.On Thursday, Highclere Stud successfully obtained an injunction from the British High Court to stop Cable Bay from leaving quarantine in the UK only hours before he was due to board an International Racehorse Transport flight bound for Woodside Park Stud in Victoria.
Highclere Stud's John Warren told ANZ Bloodstock News: "As large beneficiaries in terms of ownership of Cable Bay in the southern hemisphere, it is unfortunate that due to injury in quarantine the vets have advised that the horse should not be transported at this stage."
The court order remains in place until at least early next month, meaning the horse will not be able to be moved for at least another 11 days, pending a further judgement when the Australian shareholders have the opportunity to dispute the claim.
The nature of the injury suffered by Cable Bay has not been disclosed and Woodside Park Stud declined to comment on the matter due to the pending court hearing, which is scheduled for August 8.
If the British High Court overturns its initial judgement and allows Cable Bay to shuttle to Victoria this year, the stallion could depart on August 17 and arrive at Woodside on August 31, on the eve of the breeding season which starts on September 1.
Cable Bay is priced at $13,200 in Australia this year and has covered 219 mares in his first two seasons at stud.
