“One of the best value stallions in the country,” is how Gooree's Andrew Baddock describes Victoria's very own Desert King (Danehill – Sabaah by Nureyev).

“From breeding to Desert King we are a mile in front,” Baddock enthused – pointing out the big race successes of not only the “great warrior” Desert War but also of the the New Zealand Gr.2 winner Basra, trainer Gai Waterhouse's only off short stakes success.

“Desert War is the best horse we have bred and raced,” he continued, “and it will be a while till we get anything to match him.”

Not that Gooree are not going to try – announcing this week that High Heels, dam of Desert War, will be returning to Desert King this spring.

“We are not hesitating in sending her back,” Baddock said - “why would we?!”

In fact Gooree were keen for High Heels to visit Desert King last season but of course the EI outbreak hit and quarantine restrictions meant that he could not be released to serve.

Now retired and enjoying life on the farm (being “spoilt rotten!”), Desert War was a truly remarkable galloper, the winner of 12 races – all but two of those at stakes level. Reliable and classy, he graced the tracks for five seasons – amassing over $3 million in prizemoney.

Whilst breaking the hearts of many of his rivals, and winning the hearts of racing fans, Desert War won six Gr.1 races – two Epsom Handicaps, a Chipping Norton Stakes, a Mackinnon Stakes, a Queen Elizabeth Stakes and a Ranvet Stakes.

A horse with such a stellar record as that would normally be the very best by his sire. But not so with Desert King for he also sired the mighty Makybe Diva – Australia's highest ever prizemoney earner.

Winner of a record breaking three Melbourne Cups and 12 other races, the earner of an incredible $14.52 million was one of those rare and gifted thoroughbreds able to mix handicap and weight-for-age form at the highest level over several seasons.

Just behind the placings at debut, Makybe Diva then put six together – after her Queen Elizabeth Stakes-Gr.2 victory in the spring of 2002 trainer David Hall commenting that he thought he had “a nice Melbourne Cup prospect for next year.”

He was right and wrong – she won the 2003 Melbourne Cup but he could never have predicted further memorable victories in 2004 and 2005. Throw in a Sydney Cup-Gr.1, a BMW-Gr.1 and an Australian Cup-Gr.1 for good measure – oh, and a W.S Cox Plate-Gr.1 too!!

Makybe Diva and Desert War shared a winning spirit together with a toughness and soundness inherited from their sire.

In the first two (five wins, five seconds) and ten of his 12 starts, Desert King is one of the legendary Danehill's finest. Crowned the European Champion 3Y0 of his year, he won the Irish Derby-Gr.1, the Irish 2000 Guineas-Gr.1 and the National Stakes-Gr.1.

Strong and handsome at 16hh, Desert King is only 13 years old and just imagine if the best is yet to come!

The sire of 25 stakes winners – his other elite level winners being Mr Dinos, Darsalam, Chelsea Rose and Lachlan River – Desert King is as versatile as he is classy. His black type performers have won from 1000m to 4023m and there is no gender bias – as one superstar of each sex attests.

Desert King was much missed last season and breeders who supported him with 130 mares in 2006 are lining up to use him again. Not only has High Heels already been booked in, but also Passefleur – dam of Melbourne Cup heroine Jezabeel.

Passefluer is already the dam of a Desert King weanling filly and owner Graeme Little is delighted with her.

“The Pines Stud is delighted to return to Desert King with our Melbourne Cup producing mare Passefleur,” he said – “particularly given the way our gorgeous weanling filly is developing.”

“With her distinctive blaze she looks the part already! She will be given every chance to succeed on the track.”

Desert King will stand the 2008 spring at Bombora Downs, Bittern at a fee of $13,200 (including gst). Compare his fee to those of many a lesser performed stallion and consider the value!

Andrew Baddock sums it up best - “Desert King is incredible value for a horse with his record.”