Dundeel – What makes a Great Deel?
Dundeel offers breeders plenty of great options with 37 stakeswinners by 27 different damsires - and strong evidence to support doubling-up on his own damsire, the legendary Zabeel. (PHOTO: Joan Faras)
Arrowfield has supported Dundeel with 71 bookings in 2024 & 2025, sending mares that on type and pedigree we believe will suit him very well.
Bloodstock Manager Jon Freyer shares insights on what we’ve learned and observed from working with Dundeel, and breeding some of his best performers including Castelvecchio, Celestial Legend & Super Seth:
“The prevailing thought is that Dundeel needs a bigger mare but that isn’t really our experience. The dams of Celestial Legend, Castelvecchio and Super Seth are average size at best.
“Dundeel’s 37 stakeswinners are out of mares by 27 different sires so he gives us plenty of options…
…however, there are some obviously successful nicks to consider.
“He’s done brilliantly with Redoute’s Choice mares and now Snitzel mares, headlined by Super Seth & Celestial Legend, and we’re very keen on their full brothers, both high-class yearling colts for the 2026 sales. He’s also left major stakeswinners to mares by other sons of Danehill such as Exceed And Excel, Fastnet Rock, Danasinga, Danehill Dancer and Dylan Thomas.
“The 2023 Champagne Stakes highlighted Dundeel’s affinity for Dubawi mares with the winner Militarize and Townsend (3rd) being the only runners so far bred on this nick. Arrowfield is very happy to have 6 Dubawi mares – and they are often neater physical types – with Dundeel offspring in the system.
“Dundeel has an apparent affinity for Testa Rossa mares with Litzdeel, Elliptical and Captain Amelia from a handful of runners. This isn’t surprising, given Testa Rossa is by Sadler’s Wells’ half-brother Perugino. Litzdeel, the half sister to Vow And Declare, holds an entry for the Caulfield Cup.”
Jon adds, “Dundeel also offers the opportunity to double up on Zabeel, a strategy that produced 4 Group 1 winners in 2024/25, all by Dundeel or his sons, and all in-bred to Zabeel: Femminile, Aeliana, La Dorada & Maison Louis.
“The emerging nick may be with Cape Cross, after Group 1 winner Dunkel (out of a Cape Cross mare), and G2 winner Aquacade out of a mare by Sea The Stars (by Cape Cross) from just 3 runners. Supporting that is the millionaire 2YO filly Within The Law – she’s by Lucky Vega (whose dam is by Cape Cross) from a daughter of Dundeel.”
Jon concludes with a compelling comparison of Group 1 winners by crop that confirms Dundeel’s status as an elite sire alongside stallions standing at a similar or higher fee:
