THE classic-placed sprinter-miler Danehill (Danzig) has had a profound influence on the breed. The prolific champion sire can be found somewhere in the pedigree of many of the world’s top flat horses and, in recent years, his influence in National Hunt circles has been growing.

Champs Elysees, Dylan Thomas, Indian Danehill, Jeremy, Mastercraftsman, Mountain High, Multiplex, Westerner and Zoffany are sons or male-line descendants who have made the top 100 in this season’s National Hunt sires’ championship. Classic sire Champs Elysees (Danehill) is dead, classic sire Mastercraftsman (Danehill Dancer) is a leading flat stallion, and so is the Group 1 sire Zoffany (Dansili).