| By :
David Duffield
Although bred in the US and owned for most of his racing career by a Saudi Prince, Danehill sired a line of winners which have left a huge legacy in the bloodstock of thoroughbred racing in both Australia and Ireland. In fact, his bloodline is probably one of the most important in Australia, as a new generation continues on his winning bloodline. As a sprinter, Danehill started nine times, of which he won four. He is best remembered over shorter distances, winning the UK’s Haydock Sprint Cup and at Royal Ascot. Sold to an Australia/Irish partnership, Danehill went on to an international career which saw him covering seasons in the Northern Hemisphere at Coolmore stud in Ireland, and in Australia at Arrowfield Stud of Scone, NSW. In fact, Danehill's success led to the development of the shuttle-stallion, where stallions stand at stud in both hemispheres. At the height of his career, his fee was rumoured to be around $600,000. Although Danehill died in a stable accident in 2003, he was named a Leading Sire in every year from 2000 to 2005 in Australia, and 2005 to 2007 in Great Britain and Ireland. What's more, his bloodline seems to go from strength to strength, with many of his sons now top breeding stallions in their own right. Danehill's Winning Offspring
Danehill's roll call of winning off spring is impressive in both Australia and Europe. His son, Rock of Gibraltar, was Horse of the Year while another son, Desert King, was a dual Classic winner. Dylan Thomas, one of Danehill's Irish progeny, won the prestigious 2007 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. In Europe, Danehill's sons including Dansili and Danehill Dancer and are now established among the elite of Europe's stud stallions. Desert King has gone on to sire one of Australia's most famous racehorses, the triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva. To date, Desert King's progeny have won over 770 races. Other well-known horses that have him as sire include Chelsea Rose, Darsalam, Desert War and Lachlan Farm. Redoute's Choice, another Danehill son, is now one of the most expensive stallions in Australian bloodstock history. Redoute's Choice currently has eight of his progeny winning in Group company, including: Viennese, Samantha Miss, Red Lord, Musket, Gallica, Come Hither, Dr Doute's and Drumbeats. Danehill's Legacy
The legacy of Danehill was clearly demonstrated in last year's Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association awards, when all except one of the winners had Danehill in their bloodline. Danehill's grand-son Choisir won Champion First Season Sire, while his Golden Slipper winning son, Flying Spur, was named Champion Sire. Champion Two Year Old went to the Flying Spur filly Forensics, and Champion Three Year Old went to Miss Finland, who is by Redoute’s Choice. In November 2008, Sedaka became the 17th Danehill son to sire a stakes winner in the 2008 Australian season, when his son Daka's Gem won the Listed Ballarat Cup.
Danehill sired a huge legacy in the world's bloodstock industry, and in particular Australia's racing lineage. He is gone, but will never be forgotten.
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