Dancing Rain
{{Short description|Irish Thoroughbred racehorse}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox racehorse
| horsename = Dancing Rain
| image_name = Dancing Rain at Epsom Oaks in 2011.jpg
| caption = Dancing Rain after her win in the 2011 Epsom Oaks with jockey Johnny Murtagh.
| sire = Danehill Dancer
| grandsire = Danehill
| dam = Rain Flower
| damsire = Indian Ridge
| sex = Mare
| foaled = 24 April 2008
| country = Ireland
| colour = Chestnut
| breeder = Swettenham Stud
| owner = 1) Martin J. and Lee A. Taylor
2) Sheikh Mohammed
| trainer = William Haggas
| record = 10: 4-2-1
| earnings = £ 572,503
| race = Epsom Oaks (2011)
British Champions Fillies' and Mares' Stakes (2011)
Preis der Diana (2011)
| awards =
| honours =
| updated=
}}
Dancing Rain (foaled on 24 April 2008) is a retired Thoroughbred mare that was bred in Ireland and raced in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany and Japan. Dancing Rain was the unanticipated winner of the 2011 Epsom Oaks and won the Preis der Diana in the later part of her three-year-old season. Her form faltered late in her three-year-old year, finishing 16th out of a field of 19 horses in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup in Japan. Her four-year-old season was plagued with injury and she did not run in a race until late October 2012. Retired at the end of 2012, Dancing Rain became a broodmare at Clairemont Stud in Hampshire and was subsequently sold to Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for £4.2m while in foal to Frankel.
Background
Dancing Rain was bred by Swettenham Stud, a breeding operation owned by the Sangster family,{{cite news|title=Dancing Rain claims Oaks |url=http://www.credit.net/report_news.asp?si=200000&VendorID=200000&docid=AMX_NEWSCORPNEWS_110124104 |access-date=16 January 2012 |newspaper=The Australian |date=6 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221153528/http://www.credit.net/report_news.asp?si=200000&VendorID=200000&docid=AMX_NEWSCORPNEWS_110124104 |archive-date=21 February 2014 }} and was foaled on 24 April 2008{{cite web|publisher=Racing Post|title=Dancing Rain (IRE)|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/769126/dancing-rain|access-date=16 January 2012}} at Camas Park Stud in Tipperary. Dancing Rain's sire, Danehill Dancer, stands at Coolmore Stud and also produced Choisir, a renowned sprinter. Her dam, Rain Flower, did not race and is a three-quarters sister to Epsom Derby winner Dr Devious.{{cite web|work=Racing Post|title=Dancing Rain and Maybe keep the family flag flying|url=http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/news/bloodstock/rain-flower-dancing-rain-and-maybe-fly-the-family-flag/896351/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222031543/http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/news/bloodstock/rain-flower-dancing-rain-and-maybe-fly-the-family-flag/896351/|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 February 2014|access-date=16 January 2012}} Rain Flower has produced nine foals to date, and five of her offspring have gone on to win races.{{cite web|title=Consigned by Camas Park Stud|url=http://www.goffs.com/pdf/goffs/228/251.pdf|publisher=Goffs|access-date=16 January 2012}}
Dancing Rain was consigned as a yearling by Camas Park Stud to the 2009 Goff's Orby Million and Sportsman's Yearling Sale in Ireland as lot ("Hip") number 4, where she was purchased by Liam Norris and William Huntingdon for €200,000 ($292,120).{{cite web|last=Staff|title=Goff's Orby Million and Sportsman's Yearling Sale 2009|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred-sales/results/2009/9/29/goffs-orby-million-and-sportsmans-yearling-sale-2009/hips/session-1|publisher=Bloodhorse.com|access-date=16 January 2012}} Norris and Huntingdon purchased Dancing Rain on behalf of brothers Martin and Lee Taylor.
Racing career
Dancing Rain was trained by William Haggas, who also trained the 1996 Epsom Derby winner Shaamit,{{cite news|last=McGrath|first=Chris|title=Murtagh leads rivals merry dance on Rain for Oaks triumph|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/murtagh-leads-rivals-merry-dance-on-rain-for-oaks-triumph-2292725.html|access-date=16 January 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=4 June 2011}} at his Somerville Lodge Stables in Newmarket.{{cite news|last=McGrath|first=Chris|title=Dancing Rain has Haggas singing|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/dancing-rain-has-haggas-singing-2291870.html|access-date=16 January 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=2 June 2011}} Dancing Rain won four of her ten career starts and was second twice.
=2010: two-year-old start=
Dancing Rain was not a promising racehorse during her early training and was initially labeled as "hopeless" by her trainer. She improved late in the season and her first and only start as a two-year-old occurred on 19 October at Yarmouth for the Division 1 European Breeders' Fund Maiden Fillies Stakes. She was ridden by Michael Hills and was beaten by 3.5 lengths by the filly Annedah, who was owned by Ali Saeed.{{cite web|last=Staff|publisher=Racing Post|title=European Breeders' Fund Maiden Fillies' Stakes (Div I)|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/104/yarmouth/2010-10-19/515189|access-date=16 January 2012}}
=2011: three-year-old season=
Dancing Rain won her first start as a three-year-old in the Robert Sangster Memorial Maiden Fillies Stakes on 15 April at Newbury Racecourse. She was jockeyed by Kieren Fallon who gave her "an uncompromising ride" and pushed the filly to the front{{cite news|last=Staff|title=Newbury duo flaunt their wares|url=http://web.orange.co.uk/article/sports/newbury_duo_flaunt_their_wares|access-date=16 January 2012|newspaper=Orange Sport|date=15 April 2011}} to win the race by one and a quarter lengths from Highest.{{cite news|title=Robert Sangster Memorial Maiden Fillies' Stakes (Div II)|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/36/newbury/2011-04-15/529829|access-date=16 January 2012}} She was second in her next start at Newbury for the Fillies' Trial Stakes on 13 May, losing by a head to Izzi Top who was ridden by Dane O'Neill.{{cite web|title=Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes (Listed Race)|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/36/newbury/2011-05-13/529683|access-date=16 January 2012}}
One month before Dancing Rain's start in the Oaks, the filly broke the leg of her exercise rider and her trainer's wife, Maureen Haggas (a daughter of Lester Piggott) while performing drills. Dancing Rain was not favored to win the Oaks, starting the race with 20-1 odds. She was ridden by three-time Derby winning jockey Johnny Murtagh. She won by three quarters of a length over Wonder of Wonders and eleven other horses.{{cite web|title=Investec Oaks (Group 1) (Fillies)|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/17/epsom/2011-06-03/525449|access-date=16 January 2012}}
Dancing Rain finished fifth in the Irish Oaks on 17 July, leading the race three furlongs from the finish line and weakening under "a relentless drive" from the winning filly Blue Bunting and passed by Banimpire, Wonder of Wonders and Laughing Lashes.{{cite news|last=Schweitzer|first=Mary|title=Blue Bunting Lands Irish Oaks Thriller|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64066/blue-bunting-lands-irish-oaks-thriller|access-date=16 January 2012|newspaper=BloodHorse.com|date=17 July 2011}} Dancing Rain became the first British-trained winner of the €400,000 Preis der Diana on 7 August in Düsseldorf, and ridden by Kieren Fallon, "she shot away from her rivals in the straight" to win by a margin of three lengths.{{cite news|last=Godfrey|work=Racing Post|first=Nicholas and David Conolly-SMITH|title=Dancing Rain and Fallon land German Oaks rivals|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/Dusseldorf-germany-dancing-rain-and-fallon-smash-classic-rivals/896340/|access-date=16 January 2012|date=7 August 2011}}{{dead link|date=October 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} She won again at Ascot in the British Champions Fillies' and Mares' Stakes beating Bible Belt by two lengths.{{cite web|title=Qipco British Champions Fillies' And Mares' Stakes (Group 2)|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2011-10-15/536638|access-date=16 January 2012}}
In her final start of the season, Dancing Rain ran in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup in Kyoto Racecourse. A few days before the race, Dancing Rain developed "some heat in her front legs" that was treated with ice baths.{{cite news|last=Lees|work=Racing Post|first=Jon|title=Dancing Rain on course for Cup despite scare|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/kyoto-japan-dancing-rain-on-course-for-cup-despite-scare/945150/|access-date=16 January 2012|date=10 November 2011}}{{dead link|date=October 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Dancing Rain was "never a factor" in the race, finishing in 16th place, far behind Snow Fairy who won the race for a consecutive year.{{cite news|last=Godfrey|work=Racing Post|first=Nicholas|title=Super Snow Fairy strikes again in QEII Cup|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/ed-dunlop-kyoto-japan-super-snow-fairy-strikes-again-in-qeii-cup/946858/|access-date=16 January 2012|date=13 November 2011}}{{dead link|date=October 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
=2012: four-year-old season=
Dancing Rain sustained an ankle injury in the spring of 2012 and her engagement in the Coronation Cup was suspended. Surgery was performed in the spring of 2012.{{cite news|last=UKPA|title=Haggas forecasts Rain progress|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5g3UPsz9B6Fos-XRmq0ecMd1ctcfg?docId=N0282391339674818535A|access-date=21 June 2012|agency=Press Association|date=15 June 2012}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Dancing Rain was engaged for the Yorkshire Oaks,{{cite news|last=Milnes|work=Racing Post|first=David|title=Oaks winner Dancing Rain suffers setback|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/william-haggas-oaks-winner-dancing-rain-suffers-setback/1011220/latest/|access-date=8 April 2012|date=6 April 2012}}{{dead link|date=October 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} but a week before the race Haggas withdrew her from competition, stating, "I'm afraid she won't be going to York as we're just not happy with her."{{cite news|title=Dancing Rain return delayed|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/7998620/dancing-rain-return-delayed|access-date=27 August 2012|newspaper=Sporting Life|date=14 August 2012}} In her first start of the season, she was third in the British Champions Fillies' and Mares' Stakes run at Ascot, losing by two and three quarters lengths to Sapphire and Shirocco Star.{{cite web|last=Staff|publisher=Racing Post|title=Ascot Result 20 Oct 2012|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2012-10-20/561056|access-date=25 October 2012}} On 9 December ridden by Johnny Murtagh, Dancing Rain finished eighth out of 12 starters in the Hong Kong Vase won by Red Cadeaux.{{cite web|title=Longines Hong Kong Vase|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/416/sha-tin/2012-12-09/569528|access-date=20 December 2012}}
Breeding career
Dancing Rain was retired from racing at the end of 2012 to her owner's Clairemont Stud in Hampshire. She was confirmed to be in foal to Frankel{{cite news|last=Staff|work=Racing Post|title=Oaks winner Dancing Rain in foal to Frankel|url=http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/news/bloodstock/oaks-winner-dancing-rain-in-foal-to-frankel/1237929/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016101349/http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/news/bloodstock/oaks-winner-dancing-rain-in-foal-to-frankel/1237929/|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 October 2014|access-date=3 May 2013|date=8 April 2013}} and in December 2013, while still in foal to Frankel, she was auctioned for 4 million guineas (£4.2m) at Tattersalls sales to John Ferguson, acting on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed. The selling price was the second-highest price ever paid at auction for a broodmare in Europe at the time.{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-25198468 |title=Dancing Rain with Frankel foal fetches £4.2m at auction |work=BBC Sport |access-date=3 December 2013}} Dancing Rain gave birth to her first foal, a bay filly by Frankel, in February 2014.{{cite web|last1=Baker|first1=Stephanie|title=Thoroughbred Market Booms as Buyers Bank on Pedigree|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-17/thoroughbred-market-booms-as-buyers-bank-on-pedigree.html|website=Bloomberg.com|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|access-date=12 October 2014}} Bred to New Approach, she produced another filly in February 2015.{{cite web | url=https://www.equineline.com/MareProduceRecords.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=8370688 | title=Dancing Rain (IRE) | publisher=Equineline | work=Mare Produce Report | access-date=August 23, 2015}}
- 2014 Rainswept (GB) : Bay mare, foaled 5 February, by Frankel (GB) - entered training with Andre Fabre at Chantilly; unraced.
- 2015 Magic Lily (GB): Chestnut mare, foaled 11 February, by New Approach (IRE)- Won Cape Verdi, third in the Group 1 bet365 Fillies' Mile.
- 2016 Jalmoud (GB): Chestnut colt (gelded) by New Approach (IRE), foaled 24 February- Won Listed Prix de l'Avre.{{cite web |title=Jalmoud |url=https://www.godolphin.com/horses/jalmoud-gb |publisher=Godolphin |access-date=22 January 2019}}
- 2017 Sakura Petal (GB): Chestnut filly, foaled by Dubawi (IRE)
Pedigree
{{Pedigree
|name = Dancing Rain (IRE), Chestnut mare, 2008{{cite web|last=Staff|title=Dancing Rain 5x Pedigree|url=http://www.pedigreequery.com/dancing+rain3|access-date=15 January 2012}}
|inf =
|f = Danehill Dancer (IRE)
Bay 1993
|m = Rain Flower (IRE)
Chestnut 1997
|ff = Danehill
1986
|fm = Mira Adonde
1986
|mf = Indian Ridge
1985
|mm = Rose of Jerico
1984
|fff = Danzig
|ffm = Razyana
|fmf = Sharpen Up
|fmm = Lettre D'Amour
|mff = Ahonoora
|mfm = Hillbrow
|mmf = Alleged
|mmm = Rose Red
|ffff = Northern Dancer
|fffm = Pas de Nom
|ffmf = His Majesty
|ffmm = Spring Adieu
|fmff = Atan
|fmfm = Rocchetta
|fmmf = Caro
|fmmm = Lianga
|mfff = Lorenzaccio
|mffm = Helen Nichols
|mfmf = Swing Easy
|mfmm = Golden City
|mmff = Hoist the Flag
|mmfm = Princess Pout
|mmmf = Northern Dancer
|mmmm = Cambrienne
}}
- Dancing Rain is distantly inbred 4 × 4 to Northern Dancer, meaning this horse appears twice in the fourth generation of her pedigree. Dancing Rain is also distantly inbred 5 × 5 to Ribot, that horse being the sire of both His Majesty and Hoist The Flag.