Halling (Diesis {GB}–Dance Machine {GB}, by Green Dancer), a Group 1 winner and sire for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin, was euthanized at Dalham Hall Stud Feb. 2 due to the infirmities of old age. He was 25.
Halling, initially trained by John Gosden, didn't see the racetrack until his 3-year-old campaign but progressed into a Group 1 horse the following year, taking the G1 Coral-Eclipse over Singspiel (Ire) and the G1 Juddmonte International next out for trainer Saeed bin Suroor. He was the first horse to carry Godolphin's royal blue silks to a Group 1 win. The chestnut returned at five to win three consecutive Group 1s–the Prix d'Ispahan, Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International. He also campaigned two seasons in Dubai, winning the Al Maktoum Challenge R1 and R2.
Halling was retired to Dalham Hall Stud in 1997 and is the sire of over 50 stakes winners, including four Group 1 winners. His highest-rated runner fittingly came last year in the form of G1 Irish Derby winner Jack Hobbs (GB), who was bought privately by Godolphin after finishing second to eventual Horse of the Year Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in the G2 Dante S. in May. Jack Hobbs stays in training this year with John Gosden.
Halling spent three seasons at Emirates Stud Farm in Dubai, where he sired G1 Prix Ganay victor Cutlass Bay (UAE). His other Group 1 winners are the G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner and popular Godolphin marathoner Cavarlyman (GB) and German Group 1 winner Empoli (Ger). Halling was pensioned in 2014 and lived out his days at Dalham Hall.
Liam O'Rourke, Godolphin Stud Director, said, “Halling had a wonderful temperament both in and out of his stable, which he passed on to his stock. He will be much missed by all of the staff here at Dalham Hall.”
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