Desert King

For the common fig cultivar, see Common fig § Cultivars.

Desert King
Sire	Danehill (USA)
Grandsire	Danzig
Dam	Sabaah
Damsire	Nureyev
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1994
Country	Ireland
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Irish National Stud
Owner	Michael Tabor
Trainer	Aidan O'Brien
Record	12: 5-5-0
Earnings	£769,854
Major wins
National Stakes (1996) Tetrarch Stakes (1997) Irish 2,000 Guineas (1997) Irish Derby (1997)
Last updated on 30 August 2011

Desert King (31 March 1994 – 11 August 2021) was a Thoroughbred racehorse. Desert King won the Irish Derby Stakes and Irish 2,000 Guineas and was the sire of 13 stakes winners with 34 stakes wins including Makybe Diva (GB).

He was a bay son of Danehill (USA) and he was inbred to Northern Dancer in the third generation (3m x 3f).

Racing career

Desert King was trained by Aidan O'Brien, and carried the colours of Michael Tabor. Christy Roche was his jockey for ten of his twelve lifetime starts.

He started on 12 occasions, winning five races, and placing second in another five. His notable victories include the National Stakes, Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish Derby Stakes. Despite winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown, he was not aimed at the third leg, the Irish St. Leger, due to stamina doubts.

Stud record

This son of Danehill retired to stud in 1998 at Coolmore Stud in Ireland, as the Champion 3yo of his year and winner of over A$1,590,532 in stakes. His progeny include Makybe Diva, Chelsea Rose, Mr Dinos, Desert War, Lachlan River, winner of the Queensland Derby and the multiple Group 1 winning European champion stayer Mr Dinos and Darsalam. Desert King returned to Australia in 2005 as a shuttle stallion after a notable absence of three years. Promoted as a Lynden Park stallions sire, Desert King stood at Bombora Downs in Victoria for A$9,900.00 alongside the Danzig stallion and European champion racehorse Golden Snake. Desert King also stood in Japan at East Stud for the northern hemisphere seasons until 2006. His Northern Hemisphere base was Scarvagh House Stud in Northern Ireland. He was pensioned from stud duties in 2018 and died peacefully in his sleep at Lauriston Park Victoria on 11 August 2021 aged 27.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Desert King (IRE)

Sire Danehill	Danzig	Northern Dancer	Nearctic
			Natalma
		Pas de Nom	Admiral's Voyage
			Petitioner
	Razyana	His Majesty	Ribot
			Flower Bowl
		Spring Adieu	Buckpasser
			Natalma
Dam Sabaah	Nureyev	Northern Dancer	Nearctic
			Natalma
		Special	Forli
			Thong
	Dish Dash	Bustino	Busted
			Ship Yard
		Loose Cover	Venture
			Nymphet

• Desert King is inbred 3 × 3 to the stallion Northern Dancer. This also means that Desert King is inbred to Nearctic and Natalma 4 × 4, Desert King is also inbred 4 × 4 × 4 to Natalma.