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STRAVINSKY is returning to Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud in New Zealand for the forthcoming southern-hemisphere breeding season.

The winner of the July Cup and Nunthorpe Stakes for Aidan O'Brien, Stravinsky originally retired to Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky and shuttled to New Zealand from the beginning of his stud career.

In 2006 the son of Nureyev was purchased by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association and he has missed the past three New Zealand breeding seasons due to quarantine restrictions from the Australian outbreak of equine influenza in 2008 and travel difficulties in the other years.

Hogan told the Waikato Times that Stravinsky would no longer shuttle to Japan for the northern-hemisphere season.

Stravinsky has been a hit in Australasia, where he has sired five Group 1 winners: Captivate (New Zealand Breeders' Stakes), Keeninsky (Telegraph Handicap), Mr Baritone (Stradbroke Handicap), Serenade Rose (Victoria Oaks) and Time Keeper (Easter Handicap).

Three northern-hemisphere Group 1 winners - Balmont (Middle Park Stakes), Benbaun (Prix de l'Abbaye) and Soldier's Tale (Golden Jubilee Stakes ) - take Stravinsky's worldwide tally of top-flight scorers to eight.

"I'm chuffed to get him back," Hogan said. "When he returned to Japan after the 2009 season I thought he might never be seen in the southern hemisphere again. He's a sire with a great record and his progeny are popular in the sale ring."

Stravinsky's fee in New Zealand this year has been set at NZ$25,000 (£12,200, €14,000).