Dane Shadow has become the talk of the stallion ranks and, although you might have to go to a few minor sales to chase his progeny, they are going to be in big demand in 2009.

From his first seven two-year-olds to hit the track, Dane Shadow has produced Gai Waterhouses exciting youngster Shadow Assassin, Saturdays Rosehill runner-up Shadow Miss, the three times second-placed Shellscrape and three others - Gunner Knox, Hewentwhoosh and Shadowland, who have finished no worse than fourth in all runs.

Has any new stallion done better this season? Dane Shadow, himself a brilliant two-year-old and a Group winner, is by Danehill and is out of Bobby Thomsens former champion mare Slight Chance.

Story is courtesy of Ken Callendar, The Daily Telegraph, 31st December 2008.