The pensioned sire, Danzig, was euthanized at Claiborne Farm on Tuesday morning due to infirmities of old age. The horse was 29. Danzig stood his entire stud career at Claiborne.

Unbeaten in three starts, Danzig was highly regarded by trainer Woody Stephens but injury forced his premature retirement. Stephens later trained Danzig's GR1 winning offspring Lotka, Stephan's Odyssey and Danzig Connection.

Danzig began his stud career at $20,000-regarded as pricey for a non stakes winner from a quiet female line. The price was made to look like a bargain when Danzig topped both the first season sires list and two-year-old sires list in the US when his first runners hit the track. His end total of stakes winners, to date, is 188, and his sons and daughters have won over $100 million.

Danzig topped the US sires list three times, and also led the sires list in both Spain and UAE. The horse, who lost the vision in his right eye, was described as having a mischievous and volatile personality. The chunky Danzig was the ultra professional in the breeding shed and didn't suffer from fertility problems-unlike sons Lure, Maroof, Furiously and Zieten.

Danzig was an extremely versatile sire, getting colts and fillies to run, outstanding sprinters and classic winners alike. Arguably his most spectacular success was siring six winners of the July Cup-England's most prestigious sprinting event. His sons Pine Bluff and Danzig Connection won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, while grandsons Polish Navy and Fusaichi Pegasus won the Kentucky Derby. Arguably his best son was the outstanding sprinter Dayjur, who proved a disappointing sire.

His greatest filly was Dance Smartly, who not only won the Breeders Cup Distaff but also became an outstanding broodmare. Other GR1 fillies by him include Polonia, back to back Chevely Park Stks winners Blue Duster and Pas de Reponse, Lotka and Versailles Treaty.

Danzig also exerted a major influence on the Breeders Cup siring four winners of five races-Lure won the Mile twice. His sons Polish Precedent, Honor Grades, Chief's Crown, Danehill and Green Desert have all sired winners of Breeders Cup races.

His son Danehill has became one of the greatest sires the world has known and has formed a worldwide dynasty. Other successful sons of Danzig include Polish Precedent, Chief's Crown, Green Desert, Langfuhr, Belong To Me and National Assembly. Last year his son Lost Soldier was responsible for America's charismatic star, Lost In The Fog.

Danzig has also become a top-class broodmare sire with the likes of Fusaichi Pegasus, Arch, Hula Angel, Scatter The Gold, Distorted Humour, Soaring Free, Wonder Again and Glamour Boy.