Dashing Blade, one of Germany’s leading sires and the broodmare sire of champion Stacelita, has been pensioned by Gestut Etzean due to old age and arthritis. To date, the 26-year-old Elegant Air horse has sired 528 winners from 20 crops of racing age for earnings of nearly $21 million. He has sired 67 stakes winners, including Group 1 winners Faberger, Lord of England, and Noble Pearl. He also sired the stakes-winning mare Soignee, dam of 2011 champion turf female and multiple Grade 1 winner Stacelita. Dashing Blade was a three-time Group 1 winner and won six of 11 starts overall for owner-breeder Jeff Smith and trainer Ian Balding, earning $550,075.