15-year-old son of Danehill Dancer died at Castlehyde Stud on Friday following a suspected heart attack
Former shuttler Mastercraftsman (Danehill Dancer) died at Castlehyde Stud on Friday morning following a suspected heart attack.
The 15-year-old son of Danehill Dancer (Danehill), bred by Lynch-Bages Ltd, was European Champion two-year-od of 2018 having won the National Stakes (Gr 1, 7f), Phoenix Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) and Railway Stakes (Gr 2, 6f). The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt then won the Irish 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) and the St James's Palace Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Royal Ascot before running a fine second to Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) in the Juddmonte International Stakes (Gr 1, 1m2f) the following season.
An immediate success at stud, his first two-year-old crop included the Group One winners Kingston Hill, who went on to win the St Leger Stakes (Gr 1, 1m6f) and was runner-up in the Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f). That first crop also included dual Group One winner The Grey Gatsby along with 2015 Falmouth Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) and Prix Rothschild (Gr 1, 1600m) heroine Amazing Maria.
Arguably his best performer came in the shape of the Niarchos Family's brilliant filly Alpha Centauri. She landed four straight Group One races as a three-year-old in 2018 for Jessica Harrington namely the Irish 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m), Coronation Stakes (Gr 1, 1m), Falmouth Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) and against the colts in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois (Gr 1, 1600m) sponsored by her owners. Alpha Centauri's sister Discoveries landed a two-year-old maiden at the Curragh in late June for the same connections and looks like one to follow.
On Wednesday, Mastercraftsman sired his 82nd stakes winner when Lilac Road defeated Technique by a head in the Upavon Fillies' Stakes (Listed, 1m2f) at Salisbury. Mastercraftsman shuttled to Windsor Park Stud for the first time in 2010, standing his first season at a fee of NZ$25,000 (plus GST) and returned for another three seasons in 2011, 2012 and 2013. His 16 Group One winners include New Zealand Group One scorers Danzdanzdance, The Auld Floozie, Saint Emilion and Valley Girl.
"Mastercraftsman was a lovely horse to have anything to do with and will be missed by everyone here," said Castlehyde manager Tom Gaffney. "He has sired some wonderful animals and hopefully there will be a few more stars by him to come."
