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52.
DANEHILL - The
Ultimate Tribute
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15/05/2003 |
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Among
all the tributes that have flowed for Danehill since his tragic death in May 13,
no better description fits the stallion than that of “the world’s first
world sire”.
Danehill was a stud phenomenon in Australia and subsequently earned that status
in Europe and elsewhere, particularly Hong Kong and South Africa where his
progeny are keenly sought.
Danehill first came to Australia in 1990 and shuttled annually until 2001.
He clicked immediately in our environment, becoming the greatest sire influence
since the legendary Star Kingdom established his dynasty in the 1950s.
Danehill, by Northern Dancer’s great son Danzig from Razyana – a
granddaughter of the legendary Ribot - was bred in Kentucky by Juddmonte Farms
in 1986.
He was raced by Prince Khallid Abdullah to win four of his nine starts in the UK
and Ireland including the 1989 Group 1 Haydock Park Sprint Cup. He was also
third to Nashwan in the G1 2000 Guineas and third in the G1 Newmarket July Cup
before he retired to stud under a syndication deal with Ireland’s Coolmore
Stud.
Danehill first came to Australia as a shuttle stallion in 1990 to stand at John
Messara's Arrowfield Stud in NSW after he joined with Coolmore to buy the
stallion for more than 4 million pounds.
At that time Arrowfield controlled more than 50 percent of the shares in
Danehill and Coolmore only 13.5 per cent.
After Danehill’s fourth season in Australia under the Arrowfield banner
control switched to Coolmore in an ugly dispute that cost the
Irish stud more than $20 million to rest the stallion from Messara.
The battle for Danehill was only resolved by a private auction when Coolmore and
Arrowfield had to present their bids in sealed envelopes.
It was money well spent as Danehill eventually commanded an Australian record
service fee of $200,000 as a result of being leading Australian six times.
A seventh title is seemingly heading his way this season as he is now less than
$200,000 behind current leader Serheed with 10 weeks of the season remaining.
He also was six-times leading juvenile sire with five Golden Slipper Stakes
winners to his credit, equalling the record of five in succession set by Star
Kingdom.
Danehill’s influence will continue not only throgh his many sire sons but his
own remaining crops.
He left 116 foals in his last Australian crop born last spring and some 40 mares
were covered by him in Ireland to southern hemisphere time in 2002.
To list all of Danehill’s achievements would fill a book, but briefly here is
a summary of his career and stud record:-
Bay colt, bred in 1986 by Danzig-Razyana (His Majesty)
At 2 won over 6f Maiden at York. (Timeform 100p)
At 3 won 3 races over 6f. and 7f; 1989 European Champion 3YO Sprinter;
Won Newmarket European Free Handicap, G3 Royal Ascot Cork & Orrery Stakes
(course record); G1 Haydock Sprint Cup; 3rd G1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas; 3rd G1
Newmarket July Cup. (Timeform 126)
Champion Australian Sire six times
Champion Australian Juvenile Sire seven times
Champion European Juvenile Sire four times.
Champion French Sire in 2001
Top 5 active sire worldwide for the last 8 years.
First stallion ever to simultaneously lead sires championships in both
hemispheres.
Shuttled from Ireland to Australia between 1990 and 2001. One northern
hemisphere season in Japan in 1996.
Sire of 2210 foals. Australian Stud Book records Danehill covered 1479
mares to Southern Hemisphere time.
In Australia, 610 starters for 448 winners including 108 stakeswinners.
In total Danehill had sired 1356 foals to race of which 973 were
winners (71.8 per cent).
To May 12 his progeny had earned $US141,081,210.
Sire of 212 stakeswinners globally, only two behind record holder
Sadler’s Wells.
Leading sire of Group winners in Europe in 2002 with 13 winners of 24
races, ending a 6-year reign by Sadler's Wells.
Sire of 52 individual Group One winners
Northern Hemisphere G1 winners - Aquarelliste, Banks Hill, Clodovil,
Danish, Danehill Dancer, Desert King, Dress To Thrill, Fine Motion, Indian
Danehill, Johann Cruyff, Kissing Cousin, Landseer, Mozart, Regal Rose, Tiger
Hill, Rock Of Gibraltar, Spartacus, Wannabe Grand, Fairy King Prawn.
Southern Hemisphere G1 winners – Arena, Arlington Road, Asia,
Blackfriars, Camarena, Catbird, Danelagh, Danewin, Danske, Danewin, Danzero,
Danarani, Danasinga, Danendri, Daney Boy, Dane Ripper, Dashing Eagle, Emerald
Dream, Flying Spur, Joie Zdernise, Keeper, Ha Ha, Laisserfaire, Magic Of Sydney,
Magical Miss, Merlene, Miss Danehill, Moon Dragon, Mr. Murphy, Nothin’ Leica
Dane, Platinum Scissors, Redoute’s Choice, Viking Ruler.
He has more than 60 sons at stud in both hemispheres.
Danehill was named after small village in Sussex in England and has no
connection with Denmark as many believe.
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