The death of Glory of Dancer on Wednesday in a freak accident at Nanoli Stud Farm is a big blow to Indian racing. The 21-year old son of Shareef Dancer had proved his credentials as a stallion of outstanding merit by siring champions with amazing regularity. Although he began modestly at the Bangalore based Kehelan Stud Farm, Glory of Dancer came into full bloom once he was moved to the premises of Nanoli Stud Farm.

The progeny of Glory of Dancer proved their class by winning the major races in the country with amazing regularity. Glory of Dancer also sired back to back Indian Derby winners through Hotstepper and Antonios. Glory of Dancer also helped lift the profile Nanoli Stud Farm. His death in tragic circumstances has come as a big blow to the stud farm as he seemed to be in pink of health. This year`s Indian 2000 Guineas winner Beautiful Stranger was sired by him. Beautiful Stranger incidentally is also the winner of the coveted juvenile race in the country, the Gr 1 Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million. Blurr was another progeny of Glory of Dancer to win this prestigious race for first season runners. Glory of Dancer has covered quite a significant number of mares during the on-going breeding season and as such we can get to see his progeny race for a few more years. Last year`s racing sensation Jacqueline who was covered by Glory of Dancer year is due to foal anytime in Ireland.

	Glory Of Dancer (Shareef Dancer - Glory Of Hera)

``I am quite distressed by the tragic death of Glory of Dancer. Though he has already sired a number of champions, I believe his best is yet to come. The crop of 2009 has a number of exciting colts and fillies. Possibly this may be his vintage crop. He has covered some outstanding mares this year as well and as such, his progeny will continue to make their impact on Indian racing for a few years more. His daughters are also there to represent him,`` said Khushroo Dhinjibhoy in whose Nanoli Stud Farm Glory of Dancer stood in the last several years after being shifted out from Kehelan Stud Farm. Glory of Dancer has covered about 40-odd mares during the on-going breeding season.

``Glory of Dancer was a temperamental horse though he did not translate this trait to his progeny who were straightforward race horses. In the past too, he had bolted early in the morning from his stall but fortunately he had not hurt himself seriously on that occasion,`` said Dhinjibhoy. Glory of Dancer broke free on Wednesday as his syce unfortunately could not restrain him. Glory of Dancer hit a tree guard and then crashed to the fence which caused severe head injuries, resulting in his death.

For Farouq Rattonsey who owned the stallion, Glory of Dancer revived his sagging interest in racing. Farouq was on his way out of the sport itself with a feeling of being let down but Glory of Dancer did not let that happen by producing a series of champions which were the pride of any race horse owner. To own a champion is the dream of a race horse owner. To breed and own it is something special,`` said Farouq who was just returning after burying the champion stallion who had given him everything that a breeder-owner could ask for of a stallion. ``Glory of Dancer gave me name, fame and glory,`` he said. ``The only regret I have is that Glory of Dancer died in tragic circumstances. Death is inevitable but the manner in which he died in an accident saddens me,`` he said.

Glory of Dancer produced versatile horses who won from five and 14 furlongs. Glory of Dancers was a pre-potent sire who upgraded even modest mares. Considering the fact that he has covered some well pedigreed mares in the last few years, we can expect a few more champions from his crop. He will have more than 100 horses which will make their debut over the next three years and as such his legacy will continue.

Glory of Dancer (Shareef Dancer x Glory of Hera (Formidable) was a champion colt in Italy during his racing career and ran fourth in the Gr 1 Epsom Derby. From nine crops of 198 named foals including two abroad, he has had 146 winners and 26 black type performers. Apart from Hotstepper, Antonios, Beautiful Stranger, Blurr, Glory of Dancer also sired Dancing Dynamite who was the winner of Gr 1 Maj P K Mehra Super Mile. Glorious Breaker, winner of Gr 1 Fillies Trial Stakes in Bangalore, Onassis, Cabriolet, Juventus, Lancaster, Kaiser are some of the best performed horses that come readily to one`s mind.

``The most difficult thing in breeding is to get a stallion as the prospects of a breeder is entirely dependent on him. Glory of Dancer had all the attributes of a champion stallion,`` Farouq Rattonsey said heaping praise on his stallion that had given him everything he could hope for.
This year has been particularly cruel for Indian racing as champion stallions Razeen and Placerville had earlier died just as the covering season began.