Danzig (horse)

American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire

Danzig

Sire| Northern Dancer
Grandsire| Nearctic (CAN)
Dam| Pas de Nom
Damsire| Admiral's Voyage
Sex| Stallion
Foaled| (1977-02-12)February 12, 1977
Died| January 4, 2006(2006-01-04) (aged 28)
Country| United States
Colour| Bay
Breeder| Derry Meeting Farm & William S. Farish III
Owner| Henryk de Kwiatkowski
Trainer| Woody Stephens
Record| 3: 3–0–0
Earnings| $32,400
Awards
Leading sire in North America (1991, 1992, 1993)

Danzig (February 12, 1977 – January 4, 2006) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who is best known as a leading sire. He was purchased for $310,000 (equivalent to $1.5 million in 2024) by Henryk de Kwiatkowski at the 1978 Saratoga Yearling Sale. The son of Hall of Famer Northern Dancer and the most commercially successful sire of the second half of the 20th century,[1][2] he won all three of his races before knee problems ended his racing career.

## Stud record

[edit]

See also: Northern Dancer sire line

Danzig was retired to stand at stud at Claiborne Farm near Paris, Kentucky, where he became one of the world's most important sires. He led the U.S. sires list from 1991 to 1993[3] and topped the sire list in Spain and the United Arab Emirates.

Danzig 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 as well as European champions Dayjur and Anabaa. Danzig also sired 1992 Preakness Stakes winner Pine Bluff and is the sire of Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Langfuhr, who in turn sired Canadian Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Wando.

A leading sire of sires, Danzig sired Danehill, the first Thoroughbred in history to sire 300 stakes winners,[4] while another son, Green Desert, has champions Oasis Dream, Ouija Board, Sea The Stars, and Kingman amongst his descendants. Danzig was also the damsire of Fusaichi Pegasus and Dancethruthedawn and was the grandsire of 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown. His son Hard Spun finished second in the 2007 Kentucky Derby behind Street Sense.[5]

Danzig and his son Danehill were dominant bay sires along with another 17 of Danzig's sons: they would not produce chestnut progeny and only a grey if the foal's dam was grey. [6]

Danzig was pensioned at 27 in 2004 and on January 3, 2006, was humanely euthanized due to the infirmities of old age. He was buried at Claiborne Farm's equine cemetery.

At maturity, he reached 15.3 hands (63 inches, 160 cm) high.[7]

## Pedigree

[edit]

Pedigree of Danzig (USA), bay stallion, 1977  Sire
Northern Dancer (CAN)
B.1961  | Nearctic (CAN)
Br.1954  | Nearco | Pharos

|
|
|

Nogara
Lady Angela | Hyperion
Sister Sarah
Natalma
B. 1957  | Native Dancer | Polynesian
Geisha
Almahmoud | Mahmoud
Arbirator
Dam
Pas de Nom
Br. 1968  | Admiral's Voyage
Br. 1959  | Crafty Admiral | Fighting Fox
Admiral's Lady
Olympia Lou  | Olympia
Louisiana Lou
Petitioner (GB)
Bay 1952  | Petition | Fair Trial
Art Paper
Steady Aim | Felstead
Quick Arrow (Family: 7-a)[8]

## See also

[edit]

* Claiborne Farm
* List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses
* Northern Dancer
* Northern Dancer sire line
* Thoroughbred breeding theories

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Northern Dancer: The Patriarch Stallion". www.americasbestracing.net. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
2. ^ "Danzig (horse)". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
3. ^ Family #7 – Other notable family members. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
4. ^ Danzig's five-generation pedigree and record. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
5. ^ 2007 Kentucky Derby. Retrieved February 19, 2011.
6. ^ Racetrack Sires 2009, June/August, 2009, Australian Stud Book's Database, Michael Ford
7. ^ Pedigree Analysis: Is Bigger Always Better?
8. ^ Morris, Simon; Tesio Power 2000 – Stallions of the World, Syntax Software