California sire Deputy Commander has an undiagnosed health issue and will not cover any more mares this season at Ballena Vista Farm in Ramona.

The 14-year-old sire of Grade 1 winner Ten Most Wanted has been undergoing testing and treatment at the University of California at Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

A Ballena Vista press release said that while the health issue is not a life-threatening injury or a contagious disease, it is affecting his ability to cover mares.

“While it is possible that the stallion could recover from his health issue in a matter of days or weeks, for the well-being of the stallion and to give owners who have mares booked to the stallion ample time to amend their mares’ breeding plans for the season, the farm’s management team decided to suspend Deputy Commander’s breeding activities at this time for the duration of the 2008 season,” the release said.

Deputy Commander covered 30 mares last season, his first since being moved to California from Airdrie Stud in Midway, Kentucky.

By Deputy Minister out of the Malinowski mare Anka Germania (Ire), Deputy Commander has sired 22 stakes winners in eight crops of racing age. Ten Most Wanted, his top performer in North America, won the 2003 Travers Stakes (G1) and finished second in the Belmont Stakes (G1). Ten Most Wanted stands in New York.

Deputy Commander won the 1997 Travers and Super Derby (G1) and finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).