DARLEY and Coolmore studs have been forced to the negotiation table over promising stallion Ad Valorem after the son of Danzig was part of the Woodlands deal that was finalised last week.

HUNTER Valley studs have dominated one of Australia's important yearling sales, easing the financial strain of last year's equine influenza-affected breeding season.

WHILE horse studs across the Hunter remained in lockdown yesterday, fashion fillies took to the track in Victoria for the launch of the Caulfield spring racing calendar.

THE Upper Hunter equine industry is at its most frenetic this weekend as studs prepare to welcome their well-heeled clients for the annual stallion parades.

STALLIONS from Ireland and Japan destined for Upper Hunter studs are being kept in quarantine in Sydney with fears at least one may have contracted the equine flu virus.