please log in to view this image Harbinger at stud. Just look at the illustrious names on both sides of the pedigree, all the way back, Below I am going to produce a brief summary of some of the more illustrious sires/dams, starting from as far back as the pedigree shows and beyond. All information has been extracted from Wikipedia. It would be interesting to identify some other outstanding horses with such depth of quality in the pedigree. Can we spot another Harbinger before it becomes obvious. please log in to view this image [video=youtube;mo7pEsp2WKc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mo7pEsp2WKc[/video]
We start with: Buckpasser (1963–1978) International record winnings for a two-year-old of $586,090. Buckpasser developed a quarter crack that kept him out of the 1966Kentucky Derby, as well as the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. It was almost three months before the crack healed. He also suffered another crack that interrupted his 4yo career for 4 months. Despite these injuries, Buckpasser won 15 consecutive races that included the American Derby (breaking the track record), the Chicago Stakes, the Brooklyn Derby, the Woodward Stakes, the Travers Stakes, theMalibu Stakes, the Brooklyn Handicap, the Lawrence Realization Stakes, and the two-mile-long Jockey Club Gold Cup. With 13 victories as a three-year-old, Buckpasser became the first horse to earn more than $1 million before the age of four. He was named the 1966 American Horse of the Year. Buckpasser set a new world record for a mile In Chicago's Arlington Classic; a record that was subsequently broken by his grandson, Hall of Fame Champion Easy Goer Buckpasser was by the Horse of the Year winner Tom Fool, and his dam was the stakes-winning mare Busanda, by the Triple Crown winner War Admiral. When he retired, Buckpasser was syndicated for $4,800,000: a record $150,000 a share. He stood at stud at the farm where he was born. In eleven years, he sired 313 foals, of which 35 won stakes races. He was leading broodmare sire in 1983, 1984 and 1989. Racing official Dr. Manual Gilman said of him, "Generally, every horse has about a hundred faults of conformation. I would defy anybody to pick a flaw in Buckpasser." Renowned horse painterRichard Stone Reeves said, "Buckpasser was the most perfectly proportioned Thoroughbred I have ever seen." Only two horses, Secretariat and Affirmed, have since been "in a class with Buckpasser".
Right at the top of the pedigree we find: Nearctic (1954â1973) Out of the Irish mare Lady Angela, a daughter of the British Champion sire Hyperion. He was sired by the extremely important stallion Nearco. Nearctic had his most successful season on the track at age four, when he won nine races and was voted Canadian Horse of the Year. An outstanding stallion, Nearctic sired Kentucky Derby winner and the 20th Century's greatest sire Northern Dancer. He also sired Icecapade, Ice Water, Nonoalco, Northern Queen, and Canadian Hall of Fame inductee, Cool Reception. Over and above the many highly successful sons of Northern Dancer, Nearctic was the grandsire of Northern Taste, Wild Again, Fanfreluche, Izvestia, and Son of Briartic, among others. He was also the damsire of Kennedy Road and the Canadian and U.S. Hall of Fame filly La Prevoyante.
Next up: Ribot (1952 – 1972) Considered by many to be the best middle distance turf horse of all time. Ribot and the trotter Varenne are the only horses in history to have won the "Horse of the Year" award in three different countries. Undefeated in 16 races, he has won over all distances, from 5 furlongs (1,000m) to 1m 7f (3,000m) in three countries and on all types of track conditions. Ribot had the distinction of winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in successive years. He was Horse of the Year in three different countries: Italy in 1954, 1955, 1956, France in 1955, 1956 and England in 1956. Ribot also won the European Horse of the Year award in 1955 and 1956; the only horse to win the award twice. Ribot was trained in Italy by Ugo Penco and ridden by Enrico Camici. He was nicknamed 'il cavallo super,' meaning 'the super horse'; he won all 16 of his races during three seasons of racing. These wins included victories in Italy in the Gran Criterium, the Gran Premio del Jockey Club and the Gran Premio di Milano. However, the seal of Ribot's greatness were his two victories in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe by three lengths (1955) and a six-length rout from an exceptionally strong field (1956 - though photographs of the finish make it closer to eight and a half lengths) and his only run in England, where he scored a five-length win on the soft Ascot ground in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1956). Ribot had an exceptionally successful career at stud. Under a one-year contract, he first stood at Lord Derby's stud in England. In 1959, he was syndicated for a five-year lease at a cost of $1.35 million dollars before being sent to the United States in a deal of such significance that on June 1, 1959, Sports Illustrated did a feature article on it titled The Man, The Horse And The Deal That Made History. The performances of Ribot's progeny saw him named the leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland on three occasions (1963, 1967, 1968).
We continue with: Nijinsky (1967–1992) He was the outstanding two-year-old in Europe in 1969 when he was unbeaten in five races, earning himself top rating in the British Free Handicap. In the following season he became the first horse for thirty-five years to win the English Triple Crown. He was also historically important for establishing the international reputation of his sire Northern Dancer. Retired to stud he became the Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland and the Leading broodmare sire in North America. Nijinsky was Timeform's Horse of the Year for 1970 and was also voted British Horse of the Year by the Racecourse Association, gaining 38 of the 40 votes. In their book A Century of Champions, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Niinsky as a “great” Derby winner and the best Irish racehorse of the 20th Century. Vincent O'Brien named Nijinsky and Sir Ivor as the best horses he had trained, placing Nijinsky first "for brilliance." Having been sent to stand at stud in the United States, he was registered there as Nijinsky II. Nijinsky II sired 155 Stakes/Group winners, and is the only sire to have a winner of the Kentucky and Epsom Derbies in the same year. His notable progeny includes: Caerleon - Three-Year-Old Champion Colt in France, won the Group One Prix du Jockey Club and International Stakes, Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland (1988, 1991) Ferdinand - 1986 Kentucky Derby & 1987 Breeders' Cup Classic, United States Horse of the Year Golden Fleece - won 1982 Epsom Derby, undefeated Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in England & Ireland Green Dancer - won 1974 Futurity Stakes, 1975 Prix Lupin, Poule d'Essai des Poulains, Leading sire in France in 1991 Ile de Bourbon - won 1978 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Lammtarra - undefeated, won 1995 Epsom Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Royal Academy - won July Cup and Breeders' Cup Mile, sired Bullish Luck, Val Royal Seattle Dancer - in 1985 the world's most expensive yearling, selling for US$13.1 million Shadeed - won 1985 2,000 Guineas, sired Alydeed Shahrastani - won 1986 Epsom Derby, Irish Derby Sky Classic - Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, U.S. Eclipse Award winner
Blushing Groom (1974–1992) French Champion Two-Year-Old Although Blushing Groom met with considerable success in racing, he became an even greater as a sire. He was sent to stand at stud at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, where he sired winners at major tracks in Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong. Like his sire Red God, Blushing Groom had been a champion miler but many of his offspring are renowned for their stamina and have been able to win consistently at longer distances. Blushing Groom has sired 92 stakes winners. Some of his notable progeny includes: Arazi - won three GI races in France in 1991 plus the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, voted 1991European Horse of the Year and United States Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Baillamont - won Prix Jean Prat, Prix Ganay, Prix d'Ispahan Blush With Pride - won the Kentucky Oaks Blushing John - won Poule d'Essai des Poulains, Hollywood Gold Cup, 1989 U.S. Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male Horse Candy Stripes - sire of 2005 American Champion Male Turf Horse, Leroidesanimaux, and 2006 American Horse of the Year, Invasor Crystal Glitters - won Prix d'Ispahan (1983 & 1984) Gold Splash - won Coronation Stakes, Prix Marcel Boussac Groom Dancer - won Prix Lupin, sired Groom Tesse Nashwan - in 1989 won 2,000 Guineas, Eclipse Stakes, Epsom Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, sire of Bago, Swain Nassipour - won Canadian International Stakes, sired Let's Elope, Tie the Knot Rahy - sire of U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Serena's Song, 2001 European Horse of the Year, Fantastic Light, Mariah's Storm,Noverre, Champion 3 yr old in England, and Dreaming of Anna, 2006 U.S. 2-Year-Old Champion Filly & Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillieswinner Rainbow Quest - won Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Coronation Cup, the Leading broodmare sire in Great Britain & Ireland in 2003 & 2004 Runaway Groom - Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Sky Beauty - 1993 United States' Filly Triple Crown winner voted 1994 Champion Older Female Snow Bride - won Epsom Oaks
Roberto (1969-1988) Irish 2yo Champion Ridden by Lester Piggott, Roberto defeated Rheingold by a head to capture the 1972 Epsom Derby but also became the only horse to beat the great Brigadier Gerard, setting a new York Racecourse record in beating the illustrious champion by three lengths. Retired to stand at stud at Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky, Roberto became a successful sire of international influence. Among his notable offspring were: 1988 Eclipse Award turf champion Sunshine Forever Real Shadai, the leading sire in Japan in 1993 Australia Melbourne Cupwinner At Talaq British Classic winner Touching Wood outstanding sire Kris S.who produced five Breeders' Cup winners Dynaformerwho sired 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro.
Northern Dancer 1961 – 1990) The most successful sire of the 20th Century. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association calls him "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history". He was named North America's champion three-year-old colt of 1964, and Canadian Horse of the Year. Northern Dancer won the American Eclipse Award as Three-Year Old Male Champion of 1964 and the Sovereign Award for Horse of the Year. Northern Dancer was the most successful 20th century Thoroughbred sire. His offspring have earned more money and won more major stakes races than those of any other sire up until the 1990s era of shuttle stallions, including North American, Japanese, Australian, and European champions. He sired 147 stakes winners including the great Nijinsky II, winner of England's Triple Crown, as well as The Minstrel, Shareef Dancer, Secreto, Northernette, El Gran Senor, Lomond, and Fanfreluche, among others. He has been named the 20th century's best sire of sires, producing multiple champions in both the United States and the United Kingdom. According to Thoroughbred Times, Northern Dancer had at least eleven sons who became truly outstanding sires: Be My Guest Danzig El Gran Senor Fairy King Lyphard Nijinsky Northern Taste Nureyev Sadler's Wells Storm Bird Vice Regent Northern Dancer's influence extended to Japan where Northern Taste stood at stud at the Yoshida family's Shadai Stallion Station and was the leading sire in Japan for ten years. By early 1980, Northern Dancer and his son Nijinsky II had combined to sire the winners of almost US$20 million in stakes. He also became the grandsire of 1991 Canadian Triple Crown winner Dance Smartly, who became the richest filly at that time with twelve wins from seventeen career starts including the 1991 Breeders' Cup Distaff and over $2 million. She also proved to be a success as a broodmare. Between 1974 and 1988, twelve times Northern Dancer yearlings led the Keeneland July Selected Yearling Sale by average price. In the 1983Keeneland Sales horse auction, one of Windfields' colts, that would eventually be named Snaafi Dancer, became the first $10 million yearling. In 1984 his twelve yearlings sold for an unrivalled sale-record average of price of US$3,446.666. In the 1980s, Northern Dancer's stud fee reached US$1 million, an amount four to five times his rivals and a record amount that as of 2009 has not been equalled. Although he has been dead for almost twenty years, there are more Northern Dancer-line Breeder's Cup winners than any other horse. According to France Galop, since 1994 the male bloodline of every Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner goes back to Nearco, his son Nasrullah, and his grandson Northern Dancer. Northern Dancer is also the paternal grandsire of several prominent stallions, including Storm Cat, Deputy Minister, El Prado, and Danehill. He is the great-grandsire (on both the sire and dam side) of Big Brown, the winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Northern Dancer is the great-grandsire of Australia's superstar mare, Makybe Diva. He is an ancestor of the winners of all three U.S. Triple Crown races in 2009—Mine That Bird in the Kentucky Derby, Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness, and Summer Bird in the Belmont. He is on both sides of the pedigrees of Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra. He is the great-great-grandsire of Sea the Stars, who many considered the world's greatest turf horse in 2009. In 1965, he became the first horse to ever be voted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, an honour he held for thirty-one years and now shares with Canadian Equestrian Champion Big Ben (inducted 1996). On its formation, he was part of the first group of inductees into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1976. In 1977, Northern Dancer won three world sires' premiership titles being for the number of international stakes winners, international stakes wins and progeny stake earnings.
Sir Ivor (1965–1995) Sir Ivor won major races in four countries: the National Stakes in Ireland, the Grand Criterium in France, the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and Champion Stakes in England and the Washington, D.C. International in the United States, where he beat Czar Alexander, with the American Champion Male Turf Horse Fort Marcy in third.. He would have been a 4l winner of the Arc de Triomphe but for the brilliant Vaguely Noble. Sir Ivor was named British Horse of the Year by the Racecourse Association He sired 94 stakes winners and was the broodmare sire of more than 145 stakes winners.
Still in the final line of the pedigree shown: Crepello (1954â74) Crepello won the Epsom Derby and was later a Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland. At age three Crepello raced only twice but won two Classic Races. The first was the 2,000 Guineas, followed by a victory over future star Ballymoss in the Epsom Derby. Crepello's winning time of 2:35.4 seconds was the fastest since 1936. However, his tendons, always delicate, began to cause significant problems and he missed the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes before being retired not long before the St. Leger. Crepello was the leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland in 1969 and the Champion Broodmare sire in 1974. Notable progeny include: Busted, unbeaten at four in 1967 and voted the U.K. Horse of the Year Caergwrle, winner of the 1968 1,000 Guineas, Mysterious, winner of the 1973 1,000 Guineas and the Epsom Oaks Celina (Irish Oaks) Crepellana (Prix de Diane) Bleu Azur, dam of Altesse Royale (Epsom Oaks, One Thousand Guineas, Irish Oaks Stakes etc.) Marlia, dam of Marduk II which won the German Derby and consecutive runnings of Germany's Grosser Preis von Baden in 1974 and 1975. Crepello's record as sire was somewhat restricted by the fact that a number of his stock had bad legs and were untrainable.
Another fine horse from that final line in the pedigree is the Epsom Derby and St Leger winner St Paddy. But we now move on to the next line where we see Northern Dancer appearing again on both sides. Other top class horses in this generation are: Sea Bird II (1962-1973) Cited as the best middle distance turf horse in the history of flat racing. His Timeform rating of 145 is still the highest ever flat figure awarded by that publication. He was by the French Derby runner-up Dan Cupid Interestingly, none of his five immediate dams ever won a flat race. As a three-year-old he won all five races he contested, including the Prix Lupin. the Epsom Derby. the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Among Sea Bird II's progeny were: the dual French classic and 1974 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winning mare Allez France (who had a Timeform rating of 136, making her still, according to that publication, the highest ever rated middle distance racemare) the 1974 Preaknessand Belmont Stakes winner Little Current the Champion Hurdle winner Sea Pigeon Gyr, second in the 1970 Epsom Derby behind the English Triple Crownwinner Nijinsky II. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blushing Groom (1974â1992) Blushing groom was French Champion Two-Year-Old Colt (1976) European Champion 3-Year-Old Miler (1977) Leading broodmare sire in Great Britain & Ireland(1988, 1995) Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland (1989) His major wins being: Prix Robert Papin (1976) Prix Morny (1976) Prix de la Salamandre (1976) Grand Critérium (1976) Prix de Fontainebleau (1977) Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1977) Although Blushing Groom met with considerable success in racing, he became an even greater as a sire. He sired winners at major tracks in Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong. Like his sire Red God, Blushing Groom had been a champion miler but many of his offspring are renowned for their stamina and have been able to win consistently at longer distances. Blushing Groom has sired 92 stakes winners. Some of his notable progeny includes: Arazi - won three GI races in France in 1991 plus the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, voted 1991 European Horse of the Year and United States Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Baillamont - won Prix Jean Prat, Prix Ganay, Prix d'Ispahan Blush With Pride - won the Kentucky Oaks Blushing John - won Poule d'Essai des Poulains, Hollywood Gold Cup, 1989 U.S. Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male Horse Candy Stripes - sire of 2005 American Champion Male Turf Horse, Leroidesanimaux, and 2006 American Horse of the Year, Invasor Crystal Glitters - won Prix d'Ispahan (1983 & 1984) Gold Splash - won Coronation Stakes, Prix Marcel Boussac Groom Dancer - won Prix Lupin, sired Groom Tesse Nashwan - in 1989 won 2,000 Guineas, Eclipse Stakes, Epsom Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, sire of Bago, Swain Nassipour - won Canadian International Stakes, sired Let's Elope, Tie the Knot Rahy - sire of U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Serena's Song, 2001 European Horse of the Year, Fantastic Light, Mariah's Storm, Noverre, Champion 3 yr old in England, and Dreaming of Anna, 2006 U.S. 2-Year-Old Champion Filly & Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Rainbow Quest - won Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Coronation Cup, the Leading broodmare sire in Great Britain & Ireland in 2003 & 2004 Runaway Groom - Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Sky Beauty - 1993 United States' Filly Triple Crown winner voted 1994 Champion Older Female Snow Bride - won Epsom Oaks Among others, Blushing Groom is the grandsire of Tawrrific, Let's Elope, Cherokee Run, Silic, Subordination, Congaree, Leroidesanimaux, Tie the Knot, Swain, Dreaming of Anna, Bago, Wekiva Springs, multiple European Champion March Groom and 2006 World Champion, Invasor. He is also the damsire of Awesome Again, Kahyasi, Lammtarra, Mayano Top Gun, 2000 Japanese Horse of the Year T M Opera O, and Goldikova.
Staying in the same line we have: Lyphard (1969-2005) Lyphard’s major wins were: Prix Herod (1971) Prix Daru (1972) Prix Jacques Le Marois (1972) Prix Lagrange (1972) Prix de la Forêt (1972) Lyphard was a very successful stallion Champion 1st-season Sire in France & England (1976) Leading sire in France (1978 & 1979) Leading broodmare sire in France (1985) Leading sire in North America (1986) His offspring included: the filly Durtal who won the Cheveley Park Stakes and was the 1976 United Kingdom Champion 2-Year-Old Filly the colt Pharly who won several important races in France, including the Group One Prix de la Forêt, Prix Lupin and Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. Three Troikas - won the 1979 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Dancing Brave - 1986 European Horse of the Year Manila - won the 1986 Breeders' Cup Turf, was voted U.S. Champion Male Turf Horse, and was ranked the best long-distance turf horse in American racing history by Steve Davidowitz of Daily Racing Form Rainbows For Life - Multiple stakes winner, three-time Sovereign Award winner, holds course record for 1⅛ miles on turf at Hawthorne Race Courseset in 1991, champion sire in Czech Republic in 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2006, champion sire in Slovakian Republic in 1999 Jolypha - Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in France, who won the 1992 Prix de Diane and Prix Vermeille and was a strong third in that year'sBreeders' Cup Classic behind Eclipse Award Champion Pleasant Tap and the race winner, the future U.S. Hall of Fame colt A.P. Indy Lyphard was the damsire of Hatoof, winner of the 1992 1,000 Guineas and the 1994 U.S. Champion Female Turf Horse. Lyphard was also the grandsire of 1993Epsom Derby winner Commander in Chief. Among his other descendants are Deep Impact, Japan's Horse of the Year in 2005 & 2006, and the No.1 ranked horse in the world in 2006, Invasor. In 1996, Lyphard was pensioned from stallion duty at age 27 and lived another nine years. He was one of the oldest horses in the world at the time he was humanely euthanized on June 10, 2005 as a result of the infirmities of his very old age.
We now move to Harbinger's great grand parents, starting with: Danzig (1977–2006) Danzig won all three of his races before knee problems ended his racing career and is best known as a leading sire. Danzig became one of the world's most important sires. He led the U.S. sires list from 1991 to 1993 and topped the sire list in Spain and the United Arab Emirates. He sired 188 graded stakes race winners and 10 champions. His foals have earned more than $100 million in purse money and include: Breeders' Cup winners Chief's Crown, Lure, Dance Smartly, and War Chant 1992 Preakness Stakes winner Pine Bluff Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Langfuhr who, in turn, sired the Canadian Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year, Wando. A leading sire of sires, Danzig's son Danehill is the first Thoroughbred in history to sire 300 stakes winners. Danzig was also the damsire of Fusaichi Pegasus and Dancethruthedawn. He was the grandsire of 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown. Danzig and his son, Danehill, were dominant bay sires along with another 17 of Danzig's sons. This meant that they would not produce chestnut progeny and only a grey if the foal's dam was grey.
Also in this line we have Derby winners. Shareef Dancer (1980-1999) Shareef Dancer won the Irish Derby Stakes and King Edward VII Stakes and was U.K. Champion Middle Distance Horse with a Timeform rating: 135 . In 1983 Shareef Dancer sold for US$40m (£24m), a record price for a stallion prospect and is the damsire of Dubai Millennium Kahyasi (1985â2008) Sired by Ile de Bourbon, winner of the 1978 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Kayasi won his first 5 races, including the Lingfield Derby Trial, the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby. In the Irish Derby he was struck into by another horse during the race and had won despite sustaining a leg injury. At stud, he sired over 20 graded stakes winners including: Darasin, Goodwood Cup G2 Enzeli, Ascot Gold Cup G1, Doncaster Cup G2 Hasili, outstanding broodmare Karasi, Geelong Cup Khalkevi, Grand Prix de Paris G1 Vereva, Prix de Diane G1 Zainta, Prix de Diane G1 Nazirali, San Luis Obispo Handicap G2
Now to the grand parents: Danehill (1986 - 2003) As a three-year-old, following a third place in the 2,000 Guineas behind Nashwan and a fourth place in the Irish equivalent, Danehill was switched to shorter distances and developed into a champion sprinter, winning the Cork and Orrery Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Haydock Sprint Cup During his phenomenal stud career, Danehill became a champion sire on both sides of the Equator. Leading sire in Australia (1995-1997, 2000-2005) Leading sire in France (2001, 2007) Leading sire in GB & Ireland (2005, 2006, 2007) Even more significantly, many of his sons are now emerging as top stallions and his bloodline looks sure to become a mainstay of Thoroughbred pedigrees like that of his illustrious sire and grandsire. His son, the Australian super sire, Redoute's Choice, stands at a fee of $198,000 (2009) per mare. In Europe, sons such as Danehill Dancer and Dansili are now established among the elite sires. Danehill was the sire of 349 stakes winners. His progeny have won more than A$375 million and have included 89 group 1 winners The full list list of Group/Grade One winners sired by Danehill in both hemispheres can be found here but those probably more familiar to us include: nb apologies if I have omitted any worthy of inclusion. Aussie Rules Banks Hill Danehill Dancer Dylan Thomas Duke of Marmalade Fairy King Prawn George Washington Holy Roman Emperor Mozart North Light Peeping Fawn Rock of Gibraltar Rumplestiltskin Tiger Hill Ruler Wannabe Grand Danehill is the paternal grandsire of Makybe Diva who won the Melbourne Cup three times and had earnings of A$14,526,685. He has now also become a leading broodmare sire of, among a host of top-class horses, superstar miler Frankel, Danedream who won the 2011 Arc in record time, dual Classic winner Golden Lilac, two-year-old champion Teofilo and Melbourne Cup winner Shocking (Street Cry-Maria Di Castiglia). On 13 May 2003, Danehill died in a paddock accident at Coolmore Stud. He was being hand-led in his paddock when he reared playfully and landed awkwardly, breaking a hip. Even with some of the world's best veterinary practitioners on hand, it was decided there was no alternative but to put the horse down. Coolmore received £36 million from their insurance upon his death.
I'll give a brief but well deserved mention to super mare Hasili. The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s broodmare of the Year in 2006. Hasili’s daughters Banks Hill and Intercontinental both counted Breeders’ Cup races amongst their Group and Graded haul, while the Green Desert mare Heat Haze – the only one not by Danehill – and Cacique both picked up American Grade Ones after transferring from France. But the most famous of Hasili’s illustrious offspring is DANSILI who of course is the sire of Harbinger.
Harbinger's dam's sire was Bering (1983 - 2011) Bering was rated amongst the best horses to have raced in France. He won the French Derby and was second to Dancing Brave in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. He also sired Pennekamp, conqueror of Celtic Swing in the English 2000Gns before losing his unbeaten record, and ending his racing career, in Lammtarra's Derby where he went off the 11/8fav but finished the race lame.
Great work Ron! I'd just add that BERING died in December last year, having been retired from stud duties in late 2009. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66646/pensioned-french-stallion-bering-dies
