Leading stallion Per Incanto will serve a limited book of mares at best in the 2023 breeding season after suffering a leg injury in a paddock accident.

The long-term outlook for the Little Avondale Stud resident is good and should he recover in time, he will be restricted to covering shareholder mares only later this year.

Farm principal Sam Williams has emphasised the stallion’s well-being was paramount and no shortcuts would be taken in his recuperation following Saturday’s mishap.

“He’s at the Hamilton vet clinic and will remain there until such time as he’s ready to come home,” Williams said.

“It’s very unfortunate, but he’s in the best possible place. If he’s not up to serving this year he won’t and we will get him back for next year.

“He has been so good to us and his health is first and foremost before anything.

“Calls from right around Australasia have come in and they’ve been devastated for Per Incanto. He’s done it the tough way and put his name in lights and done a lot for so many people in so many ways.”

Per Incanto arrived at Little Avondale after a 13-start racing career that earned the son of Street Cry six victories up to Group Three level and was Italy’s joint champion sprinter. He also raced in England and the United States where he was successful.

He began his stud career in 2011 and off an initial service fee of $4000 emerged to be crowned champion first season sire by winners and runner-up in the juvenile premiership in 2014-15.

The following year he was champion three-year-old sire by winners and champion second season sire by winners, defeating the decorated Savabeel for the former title.

Per Incanto’s career has continued on an upward plane and to date has sired 28 stakes winners, including seven at Group One level.

His elite list is headed by Little Avondale’s top-class sprinter Roch ‘N’ Horse, who claimed the Gr.1 VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) and Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) before retirement.

Per Incanto, who was to stand at $50,000 in 2023, is also the sire of this season’s Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) winner Little Brose and the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) winner Belclare.

He has enjoyed outstanding success in Hong Kong where he has been champion sire by winners in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons, while his progeny are also hugely popular in the sales ring.

Noted for their good looks, yearlings by Per Incanto sold up to $450,000 at Karaka this year and averaged $192,013 off a crop conceived at $15,000 plus GST.