Queensland's Lyndhurst Stud will stand exciting young stallion Hidden Dragon (Danehill ex Ballroom Babe, by Citidancer) in the 2006 season.

Hidden Dragon raced in Hong Kong during an era heralded by many as "one of champions". The striking bay son of Danehill had the distinction of running Silent Witness to less than a length when finishing 2nd to the champion during his 17 race win streak - something very few horses managed to do, even at G1 level. He also met (and defeated) such thoroughbred heavyweights as Cape of Good Hope (G1 winner in Europe and Australia), Great Delight (champion sprinter and multiple G1 winner in both Australia and Hong Kong), River Dancer (winner of the Audemars Piguet QEII- G1), Elegant Fashion (8 wins and A$6.6 million incl. 2003 Hong Kong Derby HK-G1), Super Kid (HK G1 winner and twice G1 placed this Spring in Melbourne), The Duke (G2 winner and G1 placed in the HK International Mile and in a domestic G1), Bowman's Crossing (G1 placed in the HK International Mile), Self Flit (Classic Mile and Sha Tin Trophy victor), and Planet Ruler (winner of Hong Kong International Sprint Trial HK-G2)

His trainer, the legendary Tony Cruz says: "I loved training Hidden Dragon. He had a positive attitude, speed, and a constitution that all trainers dream about. Had he not been injured he would certainly have been a Hong Kong International Group One horse and I was looking forward to traveling with him internationally".

From just 17 starts in Hong Kong, Hidden Dragon secured 6 wins, 6 seconds, and 1 third. He won at distances between 1000m - 1400m including the Chinese Challenge Cup HK-G3 over 1400m. He placed second in the HKJC Stewards' Cup HK-G1 over a mile and ran third in the HKJC Sha Tin Trophy HK-G3. He retired earlier this year with prize money of HK$7,483,500 (A$1,544,284).

As Lyndhurst Stud manager, Jeffrey Kruger, states "Whilst Danehills tend to produce their best on a firm surface Hidden Dragon showed versatility by winning on different surfaces. He raced in very good company and he was a genuine race horse - he could place himself well in a race and always ran on."

Bred by Dean Fleming, Hidden Dragon was purchased at the Inglis Easter Sale for $700,000 by successful Sydney based bloodstock agent Anton Koolman. In looks, Hidden Dragon is a mirror image of his sire Danehill, a stallion who revolutionized the global breeding industry and whose sons have ably continued in his footsteps by siring a number of champions in their own right. Hidden Dragon's dam, Ballroom Babe, was an outstanding performer having won three times at G1 level (twice as a juvenile) and was crowned champion NZ 2YO in 1994/5. In addition to Hidden Dragon, she has also produced his multiple stakes winning three-quarter sister Tahni Girl.

Jeff Kruger is delighted to have the opportunity to stand a horse of Hidden Dragon's calibre: "He offers significant value to the Queensland market. How many Danehill stallions at stud in this State have a triple Group One winning dam and also an international race record to support the pedigree?" he asks. "He was a winner at 2, trained on to win at 3 and 4 and was Group One placed at distances up to a mile. Importantly, he is being backed by his owners to ensure him every success at stud."

Hidden Dragon will join a proven line-up of stallions at the historic Queensland stud whose stallions have been awarded the title of Champion Queensland Sire on no less than 6 occasions (three of the current incumbents: Celestial Dancer, Canadian Silver and Sequalo also securing leading freshman sire titles in their respective years). The Stud can proudly boast a phenomenal number of winners having produced in excess of 8,000 since 1956 - a statistic that only Lindsay Park in South Australia can surpass.

The combination of pedigree, speed, race performance, precocity, athleticism, and good looks suggests that Hidden Dragon is certain to prove popular with local breeders in the 2006 season. Not surprisingly, shares in the new stallion have sold quickly, only a few remaining.