A three-quarter brother to fertility-challenged Starspangledbanner has shown the same trait and will return to racing as a gelding.

Il Cavallo, a stakes placegetter in Australia, only managed to get three mares in foal at New Zealand's Chequers Stud.

Brothers Mark Fraser-Campin and Chris Campin bought Il Cavallo as a stallion proposition but it was not to be.

"He's basically infertile. He only got three mares officially in foal," Fraser-Campin told nzracing.co.

"Obviously, it was a disaster of a season for us. We got him for all the right reasons and it's just been very unfortunate.

"We had 80 mares booked to him so we would like to thank all those breeders for their support and patience during what was a tough and disappointing time for all concerned.

"Starspangledbanner also suffered from fertility issues, and only covers a limited book, so maybe it's something in the family."

"We decided to try him again as a racehorse so we've gelded him.

"As a stallion it was hard to get weight off him. He was a big, heavy horse and now he's come down from 650 to 595kg."

Fraser-Campin said Il Cavallo would have a barrier trial in February and if he came back well, the Brisbane winter carnival was an option.

"It isn't going to be easy, but we like a challenge. As one door closes, another opens," he said.