Sad Passing of Danewin

Media Release - Thursday December 17

A unique chapter in Australian thoroughbred industry history was brought to a close on Wednesday, December 16 when five-time Group 1 winner and proven Group 1 sire Danewin was humanely euthanized at Emirates Park, Murrurundi — his home for close on 25 years.

Danewin has passed away at the impressive age of 29.

A member of Danehill’s very first foal crop of 1991 (which also included the Golden Slipper winner Danzero and Stradbroke winner Dansinga), Danewin proved to be every bit as good as any son of the incomparable stallion on the racetrack and, arguably, might have been one of the most influential members of his predominant maleline if not for well-documented fertility issues. 

Yet, despite a 17-year stud career which yielded fewer than 500 lifetime foals, the Emirates Park resident still managed to leave his mark on the domestic breeding scene in very many ways.

A Fernhill Handicap winning 2-year-old, Danewin proceeded to establish himself as an outstanding 3-year-old and older horse, winning five major Group 1 events, and all at his optimum distance of 2000 metres. 

Danewin’s 31 start career also witnessed a further five seconds at Group 1 level — two in the VRC Derby and AJC Derby — and a race record breaking success in the Frederick Clissold Handicap at Rosehill Gardens over 1200m that further illustrated his redoubtable versatility.

Secured by Emirates Park to commence his stud career in 1996, Danewin managed to sire 25 individual stakes winners despite his average crop amounting to little more than 27-to-28 live foals per season.

Pride of place amongst his progeny is undoubtedly multiple Group 1 winner Theseo, who ultimately emulated his sire by also recording five wins at the highest level. Other headline offspring included the AJC Sires’ (G1) winner Excites, Queensland 3YO Classic (G1) winners Toulouse Lautrec and Vitesse Dane, and the Sydney Cup (G1) stalwart County Tyrone.

Not to be overlooked either, should be the deeds of Elegant Fashion, a dual Group 2 winning filly in Australia that was later to make history as an ultra-rare member of the fairer sex to claim the prestigious Hong Kong Derby.

Advertisement

In total, Danewin sired 281 winners from 385 starters, for progeny earnings of over $51 million. His daughters have also produced a further 260 individual winners of more than $27 million, the most significant being the triple Group 1 winner Fawkner.

In releasing the news, Emirates Park general manager Bryan Carlson paid tribute to a horse which proved a cornerstone of the stud’s early success and has been omnipresent on the farm for quarter of a Century.

“Needless to say, it was a very sad day at Emirates Park yesterday as Danewin has been with most of us since we joined the Team, and in most cases was a mainstay of the stud for many years beforehand,” said Carlson.

“Danewin was essentially the first commercial stallion the Boss [His Excellency Nasser Lootah] installed at our Murrurundi headquarters and the numbers suggest that he would have been an exceptional stallion if afforded the same fertility so many other elite sons of Danehill enjoyed.”

Carlson concluded: “Even with his issues, and thanks to the outstanding management he received once they were recognised, Danewin served Emirates Park with distinction and for that we are all truly indebted.”

In 2014, on a trip to the Hunter Valley  touring the studs, my children and I were lucky enough to meet Danewin on a day when his trainer Bob Thomsen had come to visit and it was a memorable experience for us all.

Meeting a legend!   

Danewin gets a cuddle from Jack and Jasmine.

Danewin and the man who made  him - Bob Thomsen.

News from Emirates Park

Advertisment
More Reading...
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 30
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Hellbent Winner Impresses at Sha Tin
Astute trainer Mark Newnham paid $425,000 at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale to secure a promising two year-old by Hellbent and Invincible Ibis delivered on that promise when scoring a last to first win at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
Autumn Glow Epsom Challenge - Just How Big Is This Task?
With the unbeaten Autumn Glow set to run as the first odds-on favourite this century in the Epsom Handicap on Saturday we thought we’d run some data to see how big this mountain is that she’s attempting to climb, and turns out, it’s pretty big.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.