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One of the most recognisable sets of colours in Australian racing - Shadwell Stud's blue and white - are set to disappear south of the equator following an announcement in Europe overnight on Thursday.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's racing manager, Angus Gold, revealed that Shadwell Stud Australasia Ltd would be disbanded, citing the inability of Sheikh Hamdan to be as closely involved as he would like as a core reason behind the decision.
The announcement comes on the eve of Aysar representing Shadwell in the C.S. Hayes Stakes, the race named after the trainer who was Sheikh Hamdan's initial Australian conditioner.
They experienced the ultimate success together not long after teaming up when At-Talaq provided Hayes with his second success in the Melbourne Cup.
They would later combine to win the 1989 Cox Plate with Almaarad and proved their stallion-making capabilities via Zabeel, the 1990 Australian Guineas who is best known for his legendary deeds as a sire.
When Hayes retired at the end of the 1989/90 season, his son David assumed control of Shadwell's Australian horses - landing the operation a second Melbourne Cup via Jeune, in 1994 - while David's son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig train the current team.
Caulfield Cup victories with Fraar and Tawqeet and three Blue Diamond successes - with Mahaasin, Nadeem and Reaan - are among the other Gr.1 wins by Shadwell Australia.