Danehill (USA)
March 26, 1986 – May 13, 2003
Danzig (USA) x Razyana (USA), by His Majesty (USA)
Family 2-d
March 26, 1986 – May 13, 2003
Danzig (USA) x Razyana (USA), by His Majesty (USA)
Family 2-d
Danehill proved a high-class sprinter during his racing days in England and France, but his incredible success as a stallion soon overshadowed his success as a racehorse. One of the great international stallions of all time, Danehill earned general sire championships in Australia, England and France in spite of his relatively early death at the age of 17. Since then, he has proven equally valuable around the globe as a broodmare sire.
Race record
9 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, US$284,502 (includes converted English and French earnings)
1989:
Assessments
Rated at 100 pounds by Timeform as a juvenile.
Rated at 126 pounds by Timeform as a 3-year-old.
Led the International Classification for European 3-year-old sprinters of 1989.
As an individual
A well-balanced, athletic, muscular bay horse with powerful hindquarters and a strong hind leg, Danehill resembled his sire Danzig but was somewhat taller and leggier, standing 16 hands. He was back at the knee in both knees and had rather short pasterns. He was an excellent mover and tended to pass his athleticism and his low, fluid gait on to his foals, though they were often back at the knee as well. He tended to be headstrong as a racehorse and did not rate well, and he did not care for very firm going. As a stallion, he had an easy-going disposition.
As a stallion
According to statistics kept by The Jockey Club, Danehill sired 1608 winners (64.3%) and 347 stakes winners (13.9%) from 2499 named foals; The Blood-Horse credits Danehill with 355 stakes winners (14.2%). Although a notable source of speed and precocity, Danehill was a remarkably versatile stallion who could get top runners all over the distance spectrum depending on the proclivities and pedigrees of his mates.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Per Thoroughbred Times (previously Thoroughbred Record):
Per the Turkish Jockey Club (https://www.tjk.org/TR/YarisSever/YarisSever/Index):
Notable progeny
Al Maher (AUS), Aqua d'Amore (AUS), Aquarelliste (FR), Arena (AUS), Arlington Road (AUS), Artiste Royal (IRE), Asia (AUS), Aussie Rules (USA), Banks Hill (IRE), Blackfriars (AUS), Cacique (IRE), Camarena (AUS), Catbird (AUS), Catcher in the Rye (IRE), Champs Elysees (GB), Clodovil (IRE), Danarani (AUS), Danasinga (AUS), Dane Ripper (AUS), Danehill Dancer (IRE), Danelagh (AUS), Danenedri (AUS), Danestorm (AUS), Danewin (AUS), Daney Boy (AUS), Danish (IRE), Dansili (GB), Danske (NZ), Danzero (AUS), Darci Brahma (NZ), Dashing Eagle (AUS), Desert King (IRE), Dress to Thrill (IRE), Dylan Thomas (IRE), Echelon (GB), Elvstroem (AUS), Emerald Dream (AUS), Exceed and Excel (AUS), Fairy King Prawn (AUS), Fastnet Rock (AUS), Fine Motion (IRE), Flying Spur (AUS), George Washington (IRE), Grey Lilas (IRE), Ha Ha (AUS), Holy Roman Emperor (IRE), Horatio Nelson (IRE), Indian Danehill (IRE), Intercontinental (GB), Johann Cruyff (GB), Joie Denise (AUS), Keeper (AUS), Kissing Cousin (IRE), Kurtaran (IRE), Laisserfaire (AUS), Landseer (GB), Larrocha (AUS), Light Jig (GB), Luas Line (IRE), Lucky Owners (NZ), Magic of Sydney (AUS), Magical Miss (AUS), Merlene (AUS), Miss Danehill (AUS), Mountain High (IRE), Mozart (IRE), Mr Murphy (AUS), North Light (IRE), Nothin' Leica Dane (AUS), Oratorio (IRE), Peeping Fawn (USA), Platinum Scissors (AUS), Promising Lead (GB), Punctilious (GB), Redoute's Choice (AUS), Regal Rose (GB), Rock of Gibraltar (IRE), Rumpelstiltskin (IRE), Scintillation (AUS), Shinzig (AUS), Simply Perfect (GB), Spartacus (IRE), Special Dane (AUS), The Duke (AUS), Tiger Hill (IRE), Viking Ruler (AUS), Wannabe Grand (IRE), Westerner (GB), Zipping (AUS)
Notable progeny of daughters
Aloha (AUS), Art Connoisseur (IRE), Benicio (AUS), Cape of Good Hope (IRE), Cima de Triomphe (IRE), Deauville (IRE), Dreamaway (AUS), Frankel (GB), Free Eagle (IRE), Golden Lilac (IRE), Highfield Princess (FR), Highland Reel (IRE), Imperador (ARG), Intello (GER), Japan (GB), Kyprios (IRE), Maybe (IRE), Mogul (GB), More Than Sacred (AUS), Mutamakina (GB), Noble Mission (GB), Perfectly Ready (USA), Prized Icon (AUS), Proud and Regal (IRE), Roderic O'Connor (IRE), Romantica (GB), Santa Barbara (IRE), Search for a Song (IRE), Shocking (AUS), Supasundae (GB), Tapestry (IRE), Teofilo (IRE)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Danehill was bred and owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms, which sold the horse to the partnership of Coolmore Stud and Arrowfield Stud for a reported £4 milllion (US$6.5 million) at the conclusion of Danehill's racing career. Danehill was trained by Jeremy Tree. He initially shuttled between Arrowfield Stud in New South Wales and Coolmore's home base in Ireland, but after Coolmore established an Australian division, Coolmore acquired full ownership of the stallion in a deal reportedly valued at US$24 million and shuttled him between their facilities. (The stallion also stood one Northern Hemisphere season in Japan.) In 2002, Coolmore management decided that shuttling to the Southern Hemisphere was placing too much strain on the then-16-year-old horse and announced that he would remain in Ireland permanently, though they made him available for breedings on Southern Hemisphere time. Danehill died at Coolmore Ireland in May 2003 as the result of a paddock accident in which he suffered a fractured hip.
Pedigree notes
Danehill is inbred 3x3 to the excellent broodmare Natalma and 5x5 to six-time English/Irish champion sire Hyperion, winner of the 1933 Derby Stakes and St. Leger Stakes. He is a full brother to Grade 2 winner Eagle Eyed, to Grade/Group 3 winners Harpia and Shibboleth and to Family, dam of English Group 3 winner Dundonnell (by First Defence). He is also a half brother to Group 2-placed French listed stakes winner Euphonic (by The Minstrel).
Danehill is out of Razyana, whose half sister You're My Lady (by Roberto) produced American stakes winner Youthful Legs (by Explodent) and South African stakes winners Lady's Delight (by Local Talent), Daphne Donnelly (by Golden Thatch) and Announce (by National Assembly). You're My Lady is also the second dam of multiple Australian Group 1 winner Diatribe, multiple South African Group 3 winner Queen's Bay and Australian Group 3 winner Al Samer and is the third dam of 2009 South African Derby (SAF-G1) winner Bouquet-Garni and 2009 Australian Group 3 winner The Voice.
Razyana, in turn, is out of the Buckpasser mare Spring Adieu, a half sister to multiple champion and epochal sire Northern Dancer (by Nearctic) and to stakes winners Native Victor (by Victorian Era), Regal Dancer (by Grey Monarch) and Born a Lady (by Tentam). The last-named mare is the dam of Grade 2-placed multiple stakes winner Arrowtown (by Mr. Prospector), the second dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Antonio Barows and the third dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Tagano Azaghal. Spring Adieu is also a half sister to Raise the Standard (by Hoist the Flag), dam of 1984 Prix d'Aumale (FR-G3) winner Coup de Folie (by Halo) and second dam of 1989 French champion 2-year-old male and important sire Machiavellian, 1993 French champion 2-year-old filly Coup de Genie, 1992 Prix Jacques Le Marois (FR-G1) winner Exit to Nowhere, 1998 Prix Morny (FR-G1) winner and Argentine champion sire Orpen, French Group II winner Hydro Calido and French Group 3 winner Ocean of Wisdom.
Spring Adieu and her siblings were produced from Natalma, also the dam of Arctic Dancer (by Nearctic), dam of 1972 Canadian Horse of the Year La Prevoyante (by Buckpasser) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Drapeau Tricolore and French Group 3 winner Dampierre, and of Native Era (by Victorian Era), second dam of Australian Group 3 winner Sky Trial. Stakes-placed on the track in her own right, Natalma is a full sister to Folk Dancer, a stakes winner in Canada as a juvenile. She is also a half sister to 1955 Astarita Stakes winner Cosmah (by Cosmic Bomb), the 1974 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, whose foals include three-time American champion filly Tosmah (by Tim Tam) and two-time American champion sire Halo (by Hail to Reason). In addition, Natalma is a half sister to Bubbling Beauty (by Hasty Road), whose son Arctic Tern (by Sea-Bird) won the 1977 Prix Ganay (FR-G1) and was the French champion sire of 1986.
Fun facts
Last updated: January 7, 2023
Race record
9 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, US$284,502 (includes converted English and French earnings)
1989:
- Won Ladbrokes Sprint Cup (ENG-G1, 6FT, Haydock)
- Won Cork and Orrery Stakes (ENG-G3, 6FT, Ascot; new course record 1:12.95)
- Won Ladbrokes European Free Handicap (ENG-L, 7FT, Newmarket)
- 3rd General Accident Two Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1, 8FT, Newmarket)
- 3rd Carroll Foundation July Cup (ENG-G1, 6FT, Newmarket)
Assessments
Rated at 100 pounds by Timeform as a juvenile.
Rated at 126 pounds by Timeform as a 3-year-old.
Led the International Classification for European 3-year-old sprinters of 1989.
As an individual
A well-balanced, athletic, muscular bay horse with powerful hindquarters and a strong hind leg, Danehill resembled his sire Danzig but was somewhat taller and leggier, standing 16 hands. He was back at the knee in both knees and had rather short pasterns. He was an excellent mover and tended to pass his athleticism and his low, fluid gait on to his foals, though they were often back at the knee as well. He tended to be headstrong as a racehorse and did not rate well, and he did not care for very firm going. As a stallion, he had an easy-going disposition.
As a stallion
According to statistics kept by The Jockey Club, Danehill sired 1608 winners (64.3%) and 347 stakes winners (13.9%) from 2499 named foals; The Blood-Horse credits Danehill with 355 stakes winners (14.2%). Although a notable source of speed and precocity, Danehill was a remarkably versatile stallion who could get top runners all over the distance spectrum depending on the proclivities and pedigrees of his mates.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- Led the Australian broodmare sire list in 2007/2008 through 2010/2011 and in 2014/2015; 2nd in 2011/2012 through 2013/2014; 3rd in 2015/2016 and 2016/2017; 5th in 2017/2018; 10th in 2018/2019 and 2019/2020.
- 5th on the English general sire list in 2008.
- Led the English broodmare sire list in 2012, 2014, and 2015; 2nd in 2008, 2009, and 2011; 3rd in 2010, 2013, and 2016; 4th in 2017; 6th in 2019; 9th in 2018.
- Led the French broodmare sire list in 2011; 2nd in 2013 and 2016; 4th in 2010; 8th in 2012 and 2014; 9th in 2015.
- 2nd on the German broodmare sire list in 2010; 5th in 2011; 10th in 2012.
- 7th on the Irish general sire list in 2008.
- Led the Irish broodmare sire list in 2011 and 2014-2016; 2nd in 2012 and 2013; 3rd in 2019 and 2022; 4th in 2018 and 2020; 5th in 2010; 6th in 2008; 7th in 2017; 8th in 2009 and 2021.
- 2nd on the Italian broodmare sire list in 2011; 4th in 2013; 5th in 2010; 8th in 2012; 9th in 2014; 10th in 2009, 2015, and 2018.
- 3rd on the New Zealand broodmare sire list in 2012/2013; 5th in 2013/2014 and 2014/2015; 7th in 2016/2017; 8th in 2018/2019.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 2011; 2nd in 2012; 4th in 2013 and 2014; 5th in 2015 and 2016; 10th in 2010.
- Led the English general sire list in 2006 and 2007.
- Led the Irish general sire list in 2006 and 2007.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- Led the Australian general sire list in 1994/1995 through 1997/1998 and 1999/2000 through 2004/2005; 2nd in 1998/1999; 8th in 1993/1994.
- 5th on the Australian broodmare sire list in 2004/2005.
- Led the combined English/Irish general sire list in 2005; 2nd in 1997 and 2001; 5th in 1996 and 2000; 6th in 1995; 9th in 1998.
- 8th on the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 2005.
- Led the French general sire list in 2001 and 2002; 2nd in 2004; 3rd in 2003 and 2005.
- 2nd on the Italian general sire list in 1998 and 2002; 3rd in 1996 and 1997.
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the Australian general sire list in 1994/1995 through 1996/1998 and 1999/2000 through 2004/2005
- Led the combined English/Irish general sire list in 2003 and 2005-2007.
- Led the French general sire list in 2001, 2006, and 2007.
- Led the Irish general sire list in 1998 and 2005-2007.
Per Thoroughbred Times (previously Thoroughbred Record):
- Led the American general sire list in 2001.
- Led the English general sire list in 2005.
- Led the French general sire list in 2001 and 2002.
- Led the Irish general sire list in 2005 and 2006.
Per the Turkish Jockey Club (https://www.tjk.org/TR/YarisSever/YarisSever/Index):
- Led the Turkish broodmare sire list in 2008.
Notable progeny
Al Maher (AUS), Aqua d'Amore (AUS), Aquarelliste (FR), Arena (AUS), Arlington Road (AUS), Artiste Royal (IRE), Asia (AUS), Aussie Rules (USA), Banks Hill (IRE), Blackfriars (AUS), Cacique (IRE), Camarena (AUS), Catbird (AUS), Catcher in the Rye (IRE), Champs Elysees (GB), Clodovil (IRE), Danarani (AUS), Danasinga (AUS), Dane Ripper (AUS), Danehill Dancer (IRE), Danelagh (AUS), Danenedri (AUS), Danestorm (AUS), Danewin (AUS), Daney Boy (AUS), Danish (IRE), Dansili (GB), Danske (NZ), Danzero (AUS), Darci Brahma (NZ), Dashing Eagle (AUS), Desert King (IRE), Dress to Thrill (IRE), Dylan Thomas (IRE), Echelon (GB), Elvstroem (AUS), Emerald Dream (AUS), Exceed and Excel (AUS), Fairy King Prawn (AUS), Fastnet Rock (AUS), Fine Motion (IRE), Flying Spur (AUS), George Washington (IRE), Grey Lilas (IRE), Ha Ha (AUS), Holy Roman Emperor (IRE), Horatio Nelson (IRE), Indian Danehill (IRE), Intercontinental (GB), Johann Cruyff (GB), Joie Denise (AUS), Keeper (AUS), Kissing Cousin (IRE), Kurtaran (IRE), Laisserfaire (AUS), Landseer (GB), Larrocha (AUS), Light Jig (GB), Luas Line (IRE), Lucky Owners (NZ), Magic of Sydney (AUS), Magical Miss (AUS), Merlene (AUS), Miss Danehill (AUS), Mountain High (IRE), Mozart (IRE), Mr Murphy (AUS), North Light (IRE), Nothin' Leica Dane (AUS), Oratorio (IRE), Peeping Fawn (USA), Platinum Scissors (AUS), Promising Lead (GB), Punctilious (GB), Redoute's Choice (AUS), Regal Rose (GB), Rock of Gibraltar (IRE), Rumpelstiltskin (IRE), Scintillation (AUS), Shinzig (AUS), Simply Perfect (GB), Spartacus (IRE), Special Dane (AUS), The Duke (AUS), Tiger Hill (IRE), Viking Ruler (AUS), Wannabe Grand (IRE), Westerner (GB), Zipping (AUS)
Notable progeny of daughters
Aloha (AUS), Art Connoisseur (IRE), Benicio (AUS), Cape of Good Hope (IRE), Cima de Triomphe (IRE), Deauville (IRE), Dreamaway (AUS), Frankel (GB), Free Eagle (IRE), Golden Lilac (IRE), Highfield Princess (FR), Highland Reel (IRE), Imperador (ARG), Intello (GER), Japan (GB), Kyprios (IRE), Maybe (IRE), Mogul (GB), More Than Sacred (AUS), Mutamakina (GB), Noble Mission (GB), Perfectly Ready (USA), Prized Icon (AUS), Proud and Regal (IRE), Roderic O'Connor (IRE), Romantica (GB), Santa Barbara (IRE), Search for a Song (IRE), Shocking (AUS), Supasundae (GB), Tapestry (IRE), Teofilo (IRE)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Danehill was bred and owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms, which sold the horse to the partnership of Coolmore Stud and Arrowfield Stud for a reported £4 milllion (US$6.5 million) at the conclusion of Danehill's racing career. Danehill was trained by Jeremy Tree. He initially shuttled between Arrowfield Stud in New South Wales and Coolmore's home base in Ireland, but after Coolmore established an Australian division, Coolmore acquired full ownership of the stallion in a deal reportedly valued at US$24 million and shuttled him between their facilities. (The stallion also stood one Northern Hemisphere season in Japan.) In 2002, Coolmore management decided that shuttling to the Southern Hemisphere was placing too much strain on the then-16-year-old horse and announced that he would remain in Ireland permanently, though they made him available for breedings on Southern Hemisphere time. Danehill died at Coolmore Ireland in May 2003 as the result of a paddock accident in which he suffered a fractured hip.
Pedigree notes
Danehill is inbred 3x3 to the excellent broodmare Natalma and 5x5 to six-time English/Irish champion sire Hyperion, winner of the 1933 Derby Stakes and St. Leger Stakes. He is a full brother to Grade 2 winner Eagle Eyed, to Grade/Group 3 winners Harpia and Shibboleth and to Family, dam of English Group 3 winner Dundonnell (by First Defence). He is also a half brother to Group 2-placed French listed stakes winner Euphonic (by The Minstrel).
Danehill is out of Razyana, whose half sister You're My Lady (by Roberto) produced American stakes winner Youthful Legs (by Explodent) and South African stakes winners Lady's Delight (by Local Talent), Daphne Donnelly (by Golden Thatch) and Announce (by National Assembly). You're My Lady is also the second dam of multiple Australian Group 1 winner Diatribe, multiple South African Group 3 winner Queen's Bay and Australian Group 3 winner Al Samer and is the third dam of 2009 South African Derby (SAF-G1) winner Bouquet-Garni and 2009 Australian Group 3 winner The Voice.
Razyana, in turn, is out of the Buckpasser mare Spring Adieu, a half sister to multiple champion and epochal sire Northern Dancer (by Nearctic) and to stakes winners Native Victor (by Victorian Era), Regal Dancer (by Grey Monarch) and Born a Lady (by Tentam). The last-named mare is the dam of Grade 2-placed multiple stakes winner Arrowtown (by Mr. Prospector), the second dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Antonio Barows and the third dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Tagano Azaghal. Spring Adieu is also a half sister to Raise the Standard (by Hoist the Flag), dam of 1984 Prix d'Aumale (FR-G3) winner Coup de Folie (by Halo) and second dam of 1989 French champion 2-year-old male and important sire Machiavellian, 1993 French champion 2-year-old filly Coup de Genie, 1992 Prix Jacques Le Marois (FR-G1) winner Exit to Nowhere, 1998 Prix Morny (FR-G1) winner and Argentine champion sire Orpen, French Group II winner Hydro Calido and French Group 3 winner Ocean of Wisdom.
Spring Adieu and her siblings were produced from Natalma, also the dam of Arctic Dancer (by Nearctic), dam of 1972 Canadian Horse of the Year La Prevoyante (by Buckpasser) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Drapeau Tricolore and French Group 3 winner Dampierre, and of Native Era (by Victorian Era), second dam of Australian Group 3 winner Sky Trial. Stakes-placed on the track in her own right, Natalma is a full sister to Folk Dancer, a stakes winner in Canada as a juvenile. She is also a half sister to 1955 Astarita Stakes winner Cosmah (by Cosmic Bomb), the 1974 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, whose foals include three-time American champion filly Tosmah (by Tim Tam) and two-time American champion sire Halo (by Hail to Reason). In addition, Natalma is a half sister to Bubbling Beauty (by Hasty Road), whose son Arctic Tern (by Sea-Bird) won the 1977 Prix Ganay (FR-G1) and was the French champion sire of 1986.
Fun facts
- When Danehill stopped shuttling to Australia for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season, his replacement in the Coolmore Australia stallion barn was Giant's Causeway, later a three-time champion sire in the United States.
- Danehill was the first stallion to sire 300 stakes winners during his career. He reached this milestone on August 20, 2005, when his daughter Nevis won the Bacardi Breezer Toy Show Quality Stakes, a listed event in Australia.
- On Danehill's death, Coolmore received an insurance payout of £36 million.
- Danehill was buried standing up, a practice that Coolmore stud manager Peter O'Brien attributed to the Arabs and knights of the late Middle Ages.
- Like his sire Danzig, Danehill was homozygous for the genes producing bay coloration and had no chestnuts among his progeny.
- The Danehill Stakes is a Group 2 race for 3-year-olds at Flemington racecourse in Australia. It is staged over 1200 meters on turf.
Last updated: January 7, 2023