Although this news actually broke last week, I have only just seen it. I'm not sure if anyone commented on it at the time, but it is only fair to pay tribute to one of the most influential stallions of modern times. GREEN DESERT was foaled in 1983, a member of Danzig's second crop. Purchased for $650,000 by Darley at the 1984 Keeneland September Yearling Sale he proved to be a useful juvenile winning the July Stakes and the Flying Childers. However, as he matured he proved himself to be above average when finishing second in the 2,000 Guineas and St James Palace before excelling as a sprinter in his 3rd year to race, winning the July Cup and the Sprint Cup. He will probably be remembered best as a top class sire. In his first crop he produced SHIEKH ALBADOU and DESERT SUN before going on to sire the likes of CAPE CROSS (sire of SEA THE STARS), DESERT PRINCE, INVINCIBLE SPIRIT and OASIS DREAM. A long and happy retirement to you old man!
This is very likely my ailing memory, so forgive me, but I remember in the early 90s lots of very expensive Green Desert offspring trained by Alex Scott, Henry Cecil, Michael Stoute et al and it seemed to be one flop after another. As I say, probably selective memory but I always had him down as a bit of a duff stallion <erm>
OddDog, as with many sires he will have had a lot of expensive failures, but to my mind his line will prove to be the most successful of the Danzig lines. While Danehill has had good success as a sire of sires, many of his sons have been disappointing at stud so far with Dansili, Danehill Dancer, Redoute's Choice and Exceed and Excel proving to be the exceptions. However, with the likes of Dylan Thomas and Duke of Marmalade still coming up through the ranks it may prove to be a close run thing.
