Leading German sire Dashing Blade pensioned

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.