The 14 year old Danzig stallion, Honor Grades, has died. Out of Broodmare of the Year, Weekend Surprise, Honor Grades was a half brother to Horse of the Year and outstanding sire A.P. Indy and Preakness Stakes winner and successful sire Summer Squall. His dam, a daughter of Secretariat, was a grade 3 winner.

His second dam was the legendary Buckpasser mare Lassie Dear, dam of South African sires Al Mufti and Wolfhound, champion Lemon Drop Kid’s dam and the Grade/Group 1 Danzig sires Foxhound and Deerhound.

Graded stakes placed when second in the grade three Derby Trial, Honor Grades disappointed when last in Hansel’s Preakness Stakes. The colt never fulfilled his promise and was retired.

Retired to stud, Honor Grades has made his mark and has sired 18 stakes winners while standing at Darby Dan Farm. His best son Honor Glide, the horse responsible for downing South African sire, Casey Tibbs, in the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes, has just been retired and should continue where his sire left off. Other graded winners for the son of Danzig include Whata Brainstorm, Epic Honor, Dr. Park and New Zealand Group 1 winner Honor Bound. His best runner in South Africa was the useful Post Graduate.
Honor Grades was standing at $15,000 at the time of his death.

Honor Grades was very popular in his last two full seasons at stud when he covered over 100 mares each year.

The stallion’s death was unexpected and there has been no given explanation for the sudden and untimely demise of the horse.