Danehill Makes It Eight

Danehill's final total in winning an unprecedented eighth general sires title by Australian earnings was $8,031,031 or $7,935,911 (both Australian funds), depending on the source. The first figure is from Thoroughbred Tracking Online (www.t2ol.com) - supplier of the accompanying tables - and the latter from the Racing Services Bureau (www.racingvictoria.net.au/rsb/).

Either way, it was the seventh straight season his progeny has earned more than $7 million within Australia. No other stallion, since Australian tables were first recorded more than 120 years ago, had won more than seven. Danehill last year assumed joint ownership of the record which had stood since Heroic was named champion sire for seven straight years to 1939. Beau Pere won the next three, having been sent to the U.S. in the meantime. Sir Ivor's great legacy, Sir Tristram, won six.

Depending on your choice of tables, Danehill had either $623,819 or $485,000 more than the amount amassed by the tribe of Encosta de Lago, the son of Fairy King.

Danehill was fourth on the juvenile list, that award won by his first Australian crop son Danzero. Redoute's Choice, another Arrowfield-based Danehill son, was the leading freshman sire.

Apart from sitting astride the general earnings' list, Danehill also managed four sons in the next 10-- Danzero was fourth, Desert King seventh, and Flying Spur 10th, just ahead of Danehill Dancer. There were another five sons in the top 100.

Danehill, who died last year, has sired a career total of 259 stakes winners.