Dansili (foaled 27 January 1996) is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. He won five races, including the Prix du Muguet. Since retiring from racing he has become a successful stallion, with his progeny including Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Rail Link and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Harbinger. He also became Champion sire in France in 2006.
Background
Dansili, a bay colt, was foaled on 27 January 1996. Bred by Juddmonte Farms, he is a son of Haydock Sprint Cup winner Danehill.[1] Danehill was a British Champion sire three times and sired many top horses, with his progeny including Banks Hill, Champs Elysees, Desert King, Duke of Marmalade, Dylan Thomas, George Washington, Mozart, Rock of Gibraltar and Westerner.[2]
Dansili's dam, Hasili, won four races as a two-year-old and is a daughter of Epsom Derby winner Kahyasi. She has also foaled Prix Jacques Le Marois winner Banks Hill, Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Intercontinental, Man o' War Stakes winner Cacique, Matriarch Stakes winner Heat Haze and Canadian International Stakes winner Champs Elysees. Banks Hill, Intercontinental, Cacique and Champs Elysees are all also sired by Danehill.[3]
Racing career
Dansili's only run as a two-year-old was in the Prix de Blaison at Longchamp, where he won by half a length from Bedawin. He returned as a three-year-old in May and won the Prix du Labyrinthe.[1] He then started as the 17/5 joint-favourite for the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. He finished in second place, 1½ lengths behind Sendawar.[4] Dansili then finished fourth in the Prix Jean Prat.[1] He then dropped in class for the Group 3 Prix Messidor and won it by four lengths from Kabool.[5] In his last two races of the season he finished in third behind Dubai Millennium in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois and third behind Sendawar in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.[1]
Dansili started his four-year-old career by winning the Prix Edmond Blanc and Prix du Muguet. He then went to Royal Ascot for the Queen Anne Stakes. Racing outside of France for the first time, he started at the odds of 100/30. Ridden by Olivier Peslier, he took the lead with one furlong left to run, but was overtake by Kalanisi in the final 100 yards. Kalanisi went on to win by half a length from Dansili, who just held of Swallow Flight to secure second place.[6] He then finished second again in the Sussex Stakes. This time he was beaten by Giant's Causeway by ¾ length. Racing again in France, he then disappointed in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp after starting as favourite. In his final two races he finished second behind Indian Lodge in the Prix de la Forêt and third behind War Chant in the Breeders' Cup Mile. During his racing career Dansili earned £373,602.[1]
Stud career[edit]
After the 2000 season, Dansili was retired to stud, where he has become a successful stallion. Standing at Banstead Manor Stud for Juddmonte Farms, his 2012 stud fee is £75,000.[7] His son Harbinger was officially the highest rated horse in the world in 2010.[8]
Notable progeny[edit]
c = colt, f = filly
Foaled Name Sex Major Wins
2003 Price Tag f Matriarch Stakes
2003 Rail Link c Grand Prix de Paris, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
2004 Passage Of Time f Criterium de Saint-Cloud
2004 Zambezi Sun c Grand Prix de Paris
2005 Proviso f Just A Game Stakes, Diana Stakes, First Lady Stakes
2006 Harbinger c King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
2007 Emulous f Matron Stakes
2007 Foreteller c Ranvet Stakes
2008 Giofra f Falmouth Stakes
2008 Laughing f Diana Stakes
2008 Zoffany c Phoenix Stakes
2009 Dank f Beverly D. Stakes, Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
2009 Fallen For You f Coronation Stakes
2009 The Fugue f Nassau Stakes, Irish Champions Stakes
2010 Flintshire c Grand Prix de Paris
2010 Winsili f Nassau Stakes
2011 Miss France f 1000 Guineas
2011 We Are f Prix Saint-Alary
