Heytesbury Stud will cease breeding operations after selling its last yearlings at next month’s Perth Magic Millions.

“It was obviously a difficult decision,” Heytesbury owner Paul Holmes a Court told WAN journalist Robert Edwards.  “I certainly won’t be selling the farm but the 2013 breeding season was our final one.”

Heytesbury stood Ouqba (GB), Saxon and Husson Lightning at the Keysbrook property last year.

Robert Holmes a Court launched Heytesbury in 1971 and bought that year’s Melbourne Cup winner Silver Knight as his foundation sire.  He bred 1984 Melbourne Cup winner Black Knight but was in London on business when his maroon and white colours flashed past the post at Flemington.

Champion stallion Haulpak stood at Heytesbury as did Pago Pago, USA shuttler Is It True, Zabaleta and homebred Carry A Smile who carried on the Haulpak sireline for over 15 years.

Heytesbury was Sunspeed’s industry leader during the 1980s and 1990s but had adopted a lower profile in the last decade.