Redoute's Choice, Australia’s most expensive stallion and champion sire of 2006, has been stricken with equine influenza, along with several other stallions at Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales.

Arrowfield is the latest of Australia’s major breeding farms to be hit with the highly contagious virus, joining Darley Australia, Segenhoe and Yarraman Park Studs, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The virus began with Arrowfield’s mare population before affecting the stallions, Arrowfield principal John Messera said.

The stallion roster also includes Hussonet, Danzero, Flying Spur, Starcraft (NZ), Sntizel, Not a Single Doubt, and Charge Forward.

Redoute’s Choice, who stands for $285,449 ($330,000 Australian), including goods, tax, and services, is expected to be sidelined for approximately one week.