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.
Purchased 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.