In Hong Kong, last week's conclusion to the 2009-10 racing season saw former Coolmore shuttler Danehill Dancer finish on top of the General Sires premiership (by prize-money), ahead of Coolmore-based stallion & Australian Champion Sire of the last 2 seasons Encosta de Lago, followed by NZ Waikato Stud sire O'Reilly. The Top 10 according to arion.co.nz were:
1. Danehill Dancer (Danehill-Mira Adonde, by Sharpen Up) HK$34,660,238
2. Encosta de Lago (Fairy King-Shoal Creek, by Star Way) HK$32,041,325
3. O'Reilly (Last Tycoon-Courtza, by Pompeii Court) HK$28,470,437
4. Cape Cross (Green Desert-Park Appeal, by Ahonoora) HK$17,438,375
5. Peintre Celebre (Nureyev-Peinture Bleue, by Alydar) HK$13,350,625
6. Keeper (Danehill-Nuwirah, by Pleasant Colony) HK$13,017,825
7. Flying Spur (Danehill-Rolls, by Mr Prospector) HK$12,923,075
8. Stravinsky (Nureyev-Fire The Groom, by Blushing Groom) HK$12,582,825
9. Marju (Last Tycoon-Flame Of Tara, by Artaius) HK$12,130,950
10. Danzero (Danehill-Confidentially, by Kaoru Star) HK$11,837,600
Champion Sire Danehill Dancer is enjoying another successful European season and recently took his tally of stakes winners to 111 with the success of Air Chief Marshall in the G3 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland. Danehill Dancer's 111 stakes winners includes 63 Group winners, 14 at the elite G1 level.
Danehill Dancer's influence was to the fore at the 2010 Royal Ascot meeting where his daughter Lillie Langtry was successful in the G1 Coronation Stakes while his grandson Starspangledbanner took out the G1 Golden Jubilee Stakes prior to his success in the G1 Newmarket July Cup this month.
Danehill Dancer's best son is European Champion 2YO and classic winning 3YO Mastercraftsman. Timeform rated 129, Mastercraftsman was a dual G1 winner at both two and three years of age. He stands the 2010 season at Windsor Park Stud, Cambridge where the 'book full' sign has already been posted at a fee of $25,000 + GST.