'Nothing but good memories' - Andre Fabre pays tribute to Dansili

Andre Fabre, the man who forged the career of Dansili on the track, has paid tribute to "a great horse," after the retired Juddmonte stallion died at the age of 25.

Fabre campaigned the son of Danehill ambitiously over three seasons between 1998 and 2000, establishing a reputation that more than justified Dansili being sent to Banstead Manor Stud, where he became one of the bedrocks of Khalid Abdullah's breeding operation.

"I have nothing but good memories of Dansili," said Fabre. "He was very good looking, he was nice and genuine with no faults; he was a great horse."

Unusually for one of Fabre's champions, Dansili was placed at Group 1 level no fewer than six times at three and four without ever winning in the highest grade, though the list of names that deprived him of that honour attests to the company he kept.

Andre Fabre trained Dansili for Juddmonte as well as star siblings Banks Hill, Intercontinental, Cacique and Champs ElyseesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dansili found the Aga Khan's Sendawar in his road twice in 1999, finishing runner-up to him in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and third in the Prix du Moulin, a position he also filled behind the brilliant Dubai Millennium in Deauville's Prix Jacques le Marois.

After two early-season successes at Saint-Cloud he was sent on his travels at four and the need to be patient was illustrated when he took the then Group 2 Queen Anne Stakes by the scruff of the neck, only to be run down late by Kalanisi.

Olivier Peslier attempted to hold on to Dansili for longer in the Sussex Stakes but so well did the pair travel that they drew alongside Giant's Causeway at the furlong marker, time enough for the 'Iron Horse' to find more.

'He will be greatly missed' - death of champion Dansili aged 25

Arguably his finest hour came when storming home from out of the back of the television to just fail on his final start in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs under John Velazquez.

Fabre said: "He was a little bit unlucky, especially in the Breeders' Cup, and he could have won a couple of Group 1s, but he was a horse that needed to come from behind which made things a bit difficult.

"He had a nice and happy life in a good place and he will be missed."

Dansili (extreme right) and John Velazquez charge home late to be second to War Chant (red sleeves and cap) in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill DownsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dansili was the first foal out of the Listed winner Hasili and Fabre was entrusted with many of his illustrious siblings, including future stallions Cacique and Champs Elysees.

The fillies produced by Hasili were arguably even more successful for Juddmonte and Fabre, with Banks Hill avenging Dansili's Breeders' Cup defeat as well as collecting a Coronation Stakes and a Marois (Fabre also tasted Group 1 success with her daughter Romantica), while the soon-to-be 31-time champion of France also produced Intercontinental to win at stakes level before she went on to Grade 1 triumphs in the United States with Bobby Frankel.

Undoubtedly the best son of Dansili to pass through Fabre's hands was the globetrotting Flintshire, winner of the Grand Prix de Paris, the Hong Kong Vase and the Sword Dancer Stakes in the highest grade, and also dual runner-up in the Arc.

After initially standing at Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Kentucky, Flintshire has recently arrived back in France for the 2022 covering season at Haras de Montaigu, a development that has pleased his former trainer.

Fabre said: "I'm delighted that Flintshire is coming back to Europe and I'm sure he will be a good sire."

From Flintshire's first two crops of racing age, Cheshire Academy and Verbal have emerged as Group or Graded winners.

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