Danzdanzdance was a dual Group 1 winner in New Zealand on the track, and was purchased by Fernrigg Farm for $475,000 from the 2021 Inglis Chairman's Sale, good friends Matha Bloodstock then also joined them in the ownership of the outstanding mare.
While her early breeding career could be described as slightly patchy, she has left a stunning Home Affairs filly to the delight of Kelly and the team.
A sweetheart of a mare
There was never any doubt about the quality of Danzdanzdance (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) on the track. The striking grey mare amassed an impressive record of four wins, including the G1 Zabeel Classic and G1 Captain Cook Stakes, as well as placings in the G1 New Zealand Stakes, G2 Avondale Guineas, G1 New Zealand Derby, G1 Livamol Classic, and the G1 Queen of the Turf Stakes.
It’s not just her racetrack credentials that impress - her pedigree is equally noteworthy. Her family has continued to blossom since her racing days. The Tavistock (NZ)-related duo Le Gai Soleil (NZ) and Good Banter (NZ) have added further depth by becoming stakes winners, and deeper in the pedigree is the exceptional Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel), a three-time elite level winner in the G1 Turnbull Stakes, G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and G1 Vinery Stud Stakes.
Home Affairs x Danzdanzdance filly | Born at Fernigg Farm
“Danzdanzdance, or ‘Gracie’ as she’s known to us and her New Zealand fan club, is an absolute sweetheart of a mare,” said Kelly of Fernrigg Farm.
“She waits for carrots each evening when she sees the children and soaks up lots of scratches from our night watch lady while she’s in the foaling unit.
“Danzdanzdance, or ‘Gracie’ as she’s known to us and her New Zealand fan club, is an absolute sweetheart of a mare.” - Rae-Louise Kelly
“We purchased Gracie from the 2021 Inglis Chairman’s Sale with our good friends MATHA Bloodstock. She was our first multiple Group 1 winner - and she’s grey, which is always a bonus.”
Danzdanzdance’s breeding career
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Danzdanzdance in the breeding shed. She missed to I Am Invincible in her first season, and again in her second, before successfully getting in foal to Zoustar that same season, producing a standout colt that sold for $400,000 at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Unfortunately, the next year she slipped to I Am Invincible. But now, the Fernrigg team believes they’ve hit the jackpot with a striking filly by Home Affairs.
Rae-Louise Kelly | Image courtesy of Fernrigg Farm
“We bought her originally to go to I Am Invincible, but unfortunately, she proved to be a tricky breeder and incompatible with him,” Kelly explained.
“We are very fortunate to have Pádraig (Pádraig Kelly) and his team of vets based here on the farm, who have stuck with her. We’re now incredibly grateful to have this stunning filly by I Am Invincible’s best son, Home Affairs, on the ground. It gives us the same cross as Loving Gaby.
“This filly oozes quality - she has a beautiful shape, plenty of scope and strength, and great bone. She’s only the second foal out of the well-performed 11-year-old mare. Her first was a Zoustar colt, who was selected and purchased by two exceptionally good judges in Kevin Walls (Millie) and Ron Wanless.
Danzdanzdance | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“He was very much a carbon copy of his mum, and we know Ron will be patient and give him every chance, so we can’t wait for him to make an appearance.”
Who will the dual Group 1 winner visit next?
The next big question for Kelly and her partners is: where to next for Danzdanzdance? Will they go in a new direction, or double down on the I Am Invincible cross?
While non-committal, Kelly hinted that the mare may return to Coolmore Stud’s Home Affairs who was successful in the G1 Lightning Stakes and the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on the track.
Home Affairs | Standing at Coolmore
“We haven’t finalised a mating for her this year, but based on this filly, we certainly won’t be ruling out returning to Home Affairs again.”
