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Son of Danehill has died at Lauriston Park in Victoria at the age of 27

Desert King (Danehill), sire of three-time Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) heroine Makybe Diva, has died at Lauriston Park in Victoria at the age of 27. 

Desert King was the first Group One winner trained by Aidan O'Brien, winning the National Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) in 1996 before adding the Irish 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) and Irish Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f) the following year. 

Retired to Coolmore Stud, Desert King shuttled to Australia for the first time in 1998 and has produced 842 live foals in Australia, retiring from stud duties in 2016. 

The son of Danehill (Danzig) produced 27 stakes winners, with six of those winning at Group One level; Makybe Diva, Desert War, Mr Dinos, Darsalam, Chelsea Rose and Lachlan River. 

As a broodmare sire, his daughters have to date produced 27 stakes winners headed by Group One winners Kew Gardens (Galileo) and Eagle Falls (Hussonet).