The Australian government yesterday reacted to the foot-and-mouth outbreak by placing an indefinite ban on the importation of horses from Britain and Ireland.

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service announced the measure, which could potentially hit the practice of shuttling stallions between the northern and southern hemispheres.

If the ban is still in place in July, prized stallions such as Danehill would be prevented from covering in the southern hemisphere season. Danehill covered 130 mares at Coolmore's Hunter Valley Stud in Australia last year where his covering fee was Australian 200,000 dollars (approximately £70,000).

It is estimated that around 50 stallions, including the likes of Grand Lodge and Danzero, could also be adversely affected.

Singapore has also banned the importation of horses from the United Kingdom due to the outbreak.