Vale, Danehill Dancer

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday March 14
Danehill Dancer, who had been enjoying life at Coolmore since his retirement from covering duties in 2014, had to be euthanized last weekend due to the infirmities of old age.

Danehill DancerPurchased by Demi O'Byrne as a yearling, the son of Danehill was trained for Michael Tabor by Neville Callaghan to win both the Phoenix Stakes and the National Stakes as a two-year-old.

As a sire he made an immediate impact and many breeders who identified his early promise were well rewarded in the sales ring as his fee rose from just 3,500 Irish Guineas in 2000 to a high of €115,000 in 2007 and 2008.

He first shuttled to Australia in 1997 and stood at modest fees of up to $8,250 in his first five seasons before the emergence of Choisir and Private Steer in his third crop put him well and truly on the map.

At the height of his appeal in Australia, Danehill Dancer stood at a fee of $110,000 in 2008.

Danehill Dancer became Champion sire in Britain and Ireland in 2009 and was Champion 2-Year-Old Sire on three occasions. As a broodmare sire he enjoyed a stellar year in 2016 being responsible for multiple Group 1 winners The Gurkha, Minding and Alice Springs.

"Danehill Dancer was a wonderful sire and has left a significant legacy at Coolmore through his sons Mastercraftsman and Choisir and grandson Starspangledbanner, while The Gurkha is a very exciting sire prospect for the future," said M.V. Magnier.

"His brilliant daughter Legatissimo was scanned in foal to Galileo this morning and Minding and Alice Springs will be very welcome additions to the broodmare band once they finish their racing careers."

Danehill Dancer (1993 - 2017) sired 171 stakes-winners worldwide, 22 of them Group I winners, his progeny amassing over $171 million in earnings.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Pedigree Watch – UK -3YO - Derby Hopeful
Spring is in the air in the UK with the Listed Betfred Blue Riband Trial (1m2f) run at Epsom overnight and there was some Aussie interest with Chief Little Rock, a Galileo colt from Australian Group I winning Fastnet Rock mare Amicus engaged, but he came up short finishing third to a promising colt by Sea the Stars.
Patience Pays Off with Karaka Book 1 Investment Mare
November Rain was a standout filly for Matthew Goodson and Dianna Perron, but she has proven to be a test of patience as a broodmare for the husband-and-wife duo, which was rewarded on Saturday through the deeds of her daughter No Rain Ever.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Trial action was at Rosehill on Tuesday morning with five heats for juveniles that included some unraced winners by champion sires Snitzel and Written Tycoon, plus some expensive youngsters caught the eye with strong finishing runs into the placings.
Vinery Stud Announce 2024 Fees
Hawaii Five Oh is an exciting newcomer to Vinery Stud’s seven-strong roster and breeders will be pleased to know that there have been no service fee increases to the line-up this year.
The Autumn Sun Injured
Fresh from siring his first Group I winner in ATC Australian Oaks winner Autumn Angel, The Autumn Sun has suffered a pelvic injury with Arrowfield Stud hopeful he will make a full recovery before the breeding season starts on September 1.
Sun Shining on Kiwi Breeders
Progressive filly Moonlight Magic took a significant last-start step toward the goal of a third Group One winner for The Sunlight Trust with her breakthrough success at stakes level.
De Venus Impresses for De Gaulle
It was a very nice turn of foot shown by the promising De Venus at Sale today, the Mark Webb trained four-year-old son of Bombora Downs' De Gaulle racing away to an easy win at just his third outing.
Cambridge Stud Announce 2024 Fees
Off the back of announcing a world class addition to the 2024 stallion line-up, Cambridge Stud has announced service fees for its full roster.
One to Watch – Sale
The Sale meeting on Tuesday had some excitement to start the program when a three year-old filly by champion sire I Am Invincible blitzed her rivals to win as she pleased.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday April 23
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.