Northern Dancer: Champion, Canadian Hero

(This is the final part of a three-part series.)

PART THREE: RACING INTO THE HALL OF FAME

The contenders

Despite his impressive successes, Northern Dancer went into the Kentucky Derby as the second choice at 2-1. Hill Rise, the California-bred, was favored at 8-5. Hill Rise had won seven straight races, and his favoritism was helped by Bill Shoemaker coming on board.

Owned and bred by George Pope's El Peco Ranch in Madera, California, the big bay was the antithesis of the 15.2 hand Northern Dancer. At about 16.2 hands, Hill Rise had a long, powerful stride. Trained by 73-year-old Bill Finnegan, Hill Rise's career began slowly when he lost his first two starts during the summer of his two-year-old season, at Hollywood Park. The colt then became sick and was laid up until later in the year, when he won his next three races at Golden Gate Fields. Returning to Southern California, Hill Rise won a division of the Split California Breeders' Championship on December 28 for his fourth successive win. After turning three, Hill Rise continued his streak, victorious in the 1 1/16 mile San Felipe in February 1964, in a sharp time of 1:41 2/5. His superiority was reaffirmed on February 29 when he ran to a six-length win against eight other sophomores in the West Coast's big prep, the $132,400 Santa Anita Derby, covering the 1 1/8 mile distance in stakes record time of 1:47 2/5, that eclipsed Tompion's mark set four years earlier. 

Hill Rise made his first start outside the Golden State on April 17 at Keeneland, where he easily recorded his seventh straight win in the Forerunner Purse, finishing the seven furlongs in 1:22 4/5, a good time, although off Tomy Lee's (GB) 1959 track record of 1:21 3/5.

Hill Rise and Northern Dancer were not the only prominent three-year-olds in the spring of 1964. Following them in Derby favoritism were The Scoundrel, and the Elliott Burch trained Quadrangle. On April 18 a competitive field of nine three-year-olds gathered for the East's principle Derby prep, the 1 1/8 mile Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. In the field were Mr. Brick, Quadrangle, Roman Brother, Traffic, Knightly Manner, Chieftain, and three longshots. When the race was over, Quadrangle was the victor, followed by Mr Brick, and Roman Brother, all who would appear in Louisville on May 2.

On April 26 Quadrangle drilled a mile in 1:40 3/5. Eight days later Mr. Brick, running for the first time without blinkers, recorded a half-length win over The Scoundrel in the Stepping Stone Purse at Churchill Downs. The day after the Stepping Stone, Hill Rise scored his eighth consecutive win by a decisive two and a quarter length margin in the one mile Derby Trial, over a good track. Roman Brother finished second. The winner's time was an excellent 1:35 1/5, only two-fifths off the record.

With all the preparations done, and the fabled Kentucky race in a few days, the order of favoritism had Hill Rise at 6-5, followed by Northern Dancer at 5-2. Quadrangle and The Scoundrel came next, then Roman Brother and Mr. Brick.

On Friday, May 1, Quadrangle had a gallop, while Northern Dancer and Mr. Brick worked five furlongs.

Shall we dance?
The 90th edition of racing's "big dance" drew a field of twelve runners for a share of the $125,000-added purse. The post positions from the rail out were Mr. Brick, Quadrangle, Wil Rad, Extra Swell, Mr. Moonlight, The Scoundrel, Northern Dancer, Ishkoodah, Dandy K, Royal Shuck, Hill Rise, and Roman Brother. The weather forecast was good. The grand total reward was $156,800 with $114,300 going to the winner. Northern Dancer, who had already bankrolled $280,572, was the highest earner ever from Canada, and with the lucrative cash from this race would see his pot swell if he emerged on top. Roman Brother, who won the Champagne as a two-year-old, before winning the Bahamas and Everglades, was owned by Louis Wolfson's Harbor View Farm, and coming into the affair as the highest career earner with $290,740. Mr. Brick had been the busiest horse in the field, having already raced twenty-four times, eighteen as a two-year-old, with runner-up finishes in the Bahamas--before being disqualified--and again in the Everglades. Quadrangle, in addition to his win in the Wood Memorial, had annexed the Futurity at Pimlico as a juvenile. These horses liked being in front or off the pace, except for the closer Ishkoodah.

Like Nearctic, Northern Dancer could be defiant. With 100,000 people looking on, he refused to walk into the starting gate and wasn't exactly gentle on one of the handlers either. When he had had enough fun, he moved his roughly 950 pound frame into position and it was business as usual. Hill Rise, at about 1,100 pounds, was loaded four stalls down. When the gate opened Mr. Brick took the lead with Royal Shuck next and Wil Rad tracking in third, through a quarter in :22 2/5, and a half in :46. Northern Dancer was the seventh horse to leave, then rated about mid-pack, and saved ground just behind Hill Rise, as they approached the clubhouse turn. In the backstretch Mr. Brick and Royal Shuck maintained the pace. Approaching the far turn Mr. Brick kept company with The Scoundrel, who took the lead rounding the bend. Northern Dancer began to engage, quickly advancing into contention, and after six furlongs run in 1:10 3/5, the Nearctic colt took the lead as they straightened into the stretch. Hill Rise took the turn wide, but was relentlessly dusting off horses, bearing down aggressively to the outside of the new leader. About mid-stretch Northern Dancer was ahead by one and a half lengths but his lead was rapidly shrinking. Hill Rise was coming fast and reached Northern Dancer's outside flank. As they crossed the wire, side by side, Northern Dancer was in front by a diminishing neck. Hill Rise was three and a quarter lengths ahead of The Scoundrel, who in turn was a scant nose to the good of the fourth arrival Roman Brother. Quadrangle was fifth. The finishing time was 2:00 minutes flat.

The race had been monumental for the Northern Dancer team. The horse was the first from his country to win the most famous dirt race in the world, and he had done it in the fastest time ever, breaking Decidedly's old mark of 2:00 2/5. Hartack, in getting his fourth Derby victory, had now been aboard two record setting winners in three years.

Of the twelve horses who ran in the race, only four were bred in Kentucky. The winner was from Canada. There were four California-breds, Hill Rise, The Scoundrel, tenth place Wil Rad, and eleventh place Extra Swell. Two came from Florida, Roman Brother and ninth finisher Iskoodah. Quadrangle was a Virginia-bred. The Kentucky-breds were sixth, seventh and eighth place finishers Mr. Brick, Mr. Moonlight, and Dandy K, respectively, with Royal Shuck coming home last.

Northern Dancer and Hill Rise would run in the Preakness Stakes.

Pimlico
Pimlico's 88th Preakness, in Baltimore, Maryland, would be worth an added $150,000. A half furlong shorter than the Derby at 1 3/16 miles, the probable starters besides Northern Dancer and Hill Rise were The Scoundrel, Roman Brother, Quadrangle, Knightly Manner, and possibly Big Pete. Following the Derby Mr. Brick won the one mile Withers, but was doubtful for the Preakness.

Hill Rise went into the second leg of the Triple Crown again the favorite over Northern Dancer, who was 2-1. The field had only six runners, half the Derby size, and the attendance was somewhere between 36,000-40,000. The track was fast but would become tiring. When the group was sent away, Big Pete jumped to the lead with Northern Dancer, The Scoundrel, and Hill Rise also in early contention. Approaching the first turn Big Pete maintained his position with Quadrangle engaging him, along with Northern Dancer, Hill Rise, and the Scoundrel. Roman Brother trailed. Approaching the far turn Big Pete was done, as Northern Dancer made his bid, taking the lead out of the turn into the stretch. The little colt began to draw away at the eighth pole with Hill Rise, The Scoundrel, and Quadrangle strung out across the track, battling for the placings. At the wire it was Northern Dancer by two and a quarter lengths, with The Scoundrel next, a head in front of Hill Rise, who was a half length to the good of Quadrangle. Roman Brother and Big Pete rounded out the field. The fractions had been :25 1/5, :48 2/5, 1:12 2/5, and 1:37 3/5, with Luro's colt finishing in 1:56 4/5. The total purse was $176,700, with Northern Dancer collecting $124,200, boosting his year's earnings to $304,237 and for his career $519,092. It was Hartack's second Preakness win following his victory in 1956 aboard Calumet Farm's Fabius.

Shoemaker, who had now lost twice on Hill Rise, conceded the Canadian colt's superiority.

Going for the sweep
Northern Dancer would now go into the 1 1/2 mile Belmont Stakes on June 6 as the favorite and Hill Rise would once again try and beat him. The 96th running would have a $125,000-added purse. Roman Brother, who won Garden State Park's 1 1/8 mile Jersey Derby on May 30, was possible as was Quadrangle who had recently run second against older horses in the Metropolitan Mile. The Belmont Stakes, the oldest of the three classics, and called the "test of the champion," would be held at Aqueduct while Belmont Park curtailed racing for renovation.

Northern Dancer had a light work on Sunday, May 31, and a 1 1/4 mile drill the next day, finishing in 2:04 1/5, on the Belmont track.  Hill Rise also covered the distance in the same time at Aqueduct.

On June 2, Northern Dancer and Hill Rise were the only confirmed starters for the Belmont but two days later the final number was eight with Northern Dancer the 4-5 favorite, Hill Rise next at 2-1, followed by Quadrangle and Roman Brother, both at 8-1. Determined Man and Shook were 20-1, with Orientalist and Brave Lad, 30-1. Northern Dancer and Hill Rise had blowouts on Friday, June 5, both going five furlongs in 1:02 1/5.

Spoiler
Northern Dancer was now one race away from becoming the first Triple Crown winner since Citation in 1948. Although a North American horse, he could also become the first racehorse bred outside the U.S. to win the coveted prize. Everything the horse had thus far done seemed to destine him for the highest racing glory.

In front of 61,215 spectators, the entries moved into line, with Determined Man taking post one, Shook 1A, Northern Dancer post two, and Hill Rise next to him in three. Quadrangle, racing for the first time without blinkers, entered post four, and Orientalist would break from five. Roman Brother, who was probably smaller than Northern Dancer, was in six, and Brave Lad would break from post seven.

The Aqueduct gate opened with Orientalist going out in front, followed by Hill Rise, Quadrangle, Northern Dancer, Roman Brother, Brave Lad, and the early trailer Determined Man. The pace would be slow, but Hartack kept an eager Northern Dancer restrained. With a half in :49, and three-quarters in 1:14 4/5, Orientalist maintained his lead through a mile in 1:39 2/5. Quadrangle then went out in front, with Roman Brother and Northern Dancer giving chase as they entered the stretch. In mid-stretch it was clearly Quadrangle in charge, under Manuel Ycaza. Roman Brother started outrunning Northern Dancer about two furlongs out, with Hill Rise tagging along. Nearing the wire it was evident who the winner would be. Quadrangle, a big, imposing bay son of multiple stakes winner Cohoes, out of the Bull Lea mare Tap Day, crossed the finish first, two lengths ahead of Roman Brother. Northern Dancer was another four lengths back and a half length ahead of Hill Rise.

With ten furlongs run in 2:04, Quadrangle completed the distance in 2:28 2/5, almost two seconds slower than Gallant Man's (GB) record 2:26 3/5. The winner's share was $110,850, with Roman Brother receiving $25,000, Northern Dancer $12,500, and Hill Rise $6,250. The remaining order of finish was Brave Lad, Orientalist, Determined Man, and Shook.

Northern Dancer had lost the race, but had won the admiration and affection of many people especially in Canada. He would have a warm welcome waiting for him back home.

Homecoming and retirement
Northern Dancer returned to Canada a hero, loved by his public, many of them youth. Two weeks after the Belmont the colt made his next start in another Triple Crown race, Canada's 1 1/4 mile Queen's Plate at Woodbine, the oldest continuously run Thoroughbred race in North America and the first leg of their triage. Hartack stayed in the irons and the pair faced seven other Canadian-breds in the restricted event, with each carrying 126 pounds.

The 105th running, on June 20, offered a purse of $74,075, with a winner's paycheck of $49,075. In front of 31,000 spectators, Northern Dancer trailed the field early and continued to lag behind until Hartack prompted him. The horse made a powerful sweep around the final turn easily defeating his outmatched rivals by seven and a half lengths in a time of 2:02 1/5. Langcrest, another Nearctic son, was second, followed by Grand Garcon, the horse who had defeated Northern Dancer in his juvenile season.

Luro took Northern Dancer back to the States where he prepared him for Saratoga's 1 1/4 mile Travers Stakes on August 22; unfortunately during training he suffered a bowed tendon, precluding another start. It was too risky to keep racing him and on November 6, 1964, owner E.P. Taylor announced Northern Dancer's retirement. The great colt had been a competitor of the highest echelon, with an enormous will to drive himself. He had run the good race, fought the good fight, and had done Canada extremely proud. In his two year career, Northern Dancer never finished lower than third, making eighteen starts for fourteen wins, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, and $580,647 in earnings.

A champion forever
Northern Dancer was a consensus U.S. Champion Three-Year-Old Male, Canada's Horse of the Year, and divisional champion. In December he also achieved the distinction never before given to an animal. Over all humans, Northern Dancer was named Canada's Athlete of the Year by Canadian sportswriters.

A good, long life
Northern Dancer began his second life as a stallion in Canada but was later moved to the Windfields Farm in Maryland. Of the horse's 635 foals, 146 were stakes winners. He was also broodmare sire of 240 stakes winners. Northern Dancer led the American sire list in 1971, broodmare list in 1991, and was leading sire in England four times. Many of his progeny sold for millions of dollars each, with an average price of over $900,000.

Due to declining fertility, Northern Dancer was pensioned in 1987. The champion racehorse, the first Canadian Kentucky Derby winner, the first horse to run the race in two minutes flat, who won two-thirds of America's Triple Crown, and began a stud career for a fee of $10,000, had ultimately commanded $1 million per covered mare with no guaranteed live foal. A fitting final tribute to the stallion were his last two yearlings, who were sold in 1989. Japanese buyer Zenya Yoshida paid $2.8 million for a Northern Dancer bay colt, out of the English champion mare Mrs. Penny, at a Keeneland select yearling sale. The yearling would become Northern Park, a group stakes winner and multiple group placed in Europe. Northern Park was the broodmare sire of the bay filly Silver Cup (IRE), a winner in Europe, before coming to the States where she won Santa Anita's San Gorgonio, Buena Vista, and Santa Ana Handicaps on the turf. The other Northern Dancer yearling, out of the mare Gleaming Smile, sold for $700,000. He was given the name Il Corsaro, an unraced bay colt.

For the ages
On the morning of Friday, November 16, 1990, the great racer and stallion, Northern Dancer, was humanely put to sleep after a bout of colic. He had lived a phenomenal twenty-nine years and was now returning home to Canada and laid to rest. News spread quickly throughout the racing world.

Northern Dancer was among the first group of thirteen inductees to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1976, along with his son, and England's last Triple Crown winner, Nijinsky II. Victoria Park was also inducted, along with Nearctic's granddaughter La Prevoyante. Also among these inaugural inductees was Sir Barton, the first American Triple Crown winner. Nearctic was inducted the following year and Natalma in 2007. Northern Dancer was also a 1976 inductee into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, in Saratoga Springs, New York. La Prevoyante joined him in 1995. It was announced in June, 2014, that Northern Dancer's owner, E.P. Taylor, would be inducted into the American Hall later this summer as a "Pillars of the Turf" for his significant contributions to the industry. Taylor, who passed away in 1989, was a former two-time Eclipse Award recipient as a breeder.

Northern Dancer's outstanding body of work on the racetrack, and unparalleled in the stud, and through sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless descendants, have created a legacy without equal. And it was on a Fort Erie, Ontario racetrack where the legend began.

Bibliography

(In addition to the sources listed in the bibliograpies, the writer studied videos on Northern Dancer via youtube.com.)

U.P.I., "Hill Rise, Nearco Blue and More Megaton Win Stakes Races at Santa Anita; 3 Colts Triumph In Sprint Events," The New York Times, December 29, 1963, p. 57, col. 1.

A.P., "Hill Rise Takes Rich San Felipe," The New York Times, February 13, 1964.

United Press International, "Hill Rise Is 6-Length Victor in $132,400 Santa Anita Race," The New York Times, March 1, 1964, p. 1, col. 1, p. 7, col. 6.

U.P.I., "Hill Rise Excels In Derby Tune-Up," The New York Times, April 18, 1964, p. 23 col. 4.

Joe Nichols, "60,000 Expected For 40th Running," The New York Times, April 18, 1964, p. 23, col. 1.

Abstract only, Joe Nichols, "58,132 at Aqueduct See Roman Brother Run Third; Quadrangle Wins Wood Memorial," The New York Times, April 19, 1964, p. S1, http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E03EED81138E13ABC4152DFB266838F679EDE.

Joe Nichols, "Trial May Trim Field For Derby," The New York Times, April 27, 1964, http://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/27/trial-may-trim-field-for-derby.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Aw.

A.P., "First Race Without Blinkers Is a Success for Mr. Brick," April 27, 1964, http://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/27/trial-may-trim-field-for-derby.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Aw.

Joe Nichols, "Hill Rise Triumphs by 2 1/4 Lengths Over 'Good' Track in the Derby Trial; Coast Colt Takes Mile Race In 1:35 1/5," The New York Times, April 29, 1964, p. 32, col. 1.

Joe Nichols, "Hill Rise Holds Favorite's Role," The New York Times,  April 30, 1964, p. 42.

Arthur Daley, "Sports of The Times," The New York Times, April 30,1964, http://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/30/sports-of-the-times.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Aw.

Joe Nichols, "Mr. Brick Draws No. 1 Post as Field for Tomorrow's Derby Narrows to 12; Favored Hill Rise Gets 11th Berth," The New York Times, May 1, 1964, p. 23, col. 1.

Joe Nichols, "Hill Rise Rated a 6-to-5 Favorite in 12-Horse Kentucky Derby Field Today; Northern Dancer 5-2 Second Choice," The New York Times, May 2, 1964, p. 18, col. 1.

Muriel Lennox, Northern Dancer: The Legend and His Legacy (Toronto, ON: Beach House Books, 1995), p. 95.

A.P., "Northern Dancer Beats Hill Rise In Fastest Kentucky Derby Ever; Scoundrel's Third, Roman Brother Fourth," The Miami News, May 3, 1964, p. 1C, col. 5, Google News, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2206&dat=19640503&id=oGMzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=L-oFAAAAIBAJ&pg=611,611012.

Joe Nichols, "Northern Dancer Wins Kentucky Derby By A Neck; Hill Rise Runs 2D; Track Record Broken by Canadian Colt -- The Scoundrel 3d," The New York Times, May 3, 1964, p. 1, col. 8, p. 3, col. 1.

A.P., "Northern Dancer Holds Off Hill Rise in Derby," Eugene Register-Guard, May 3, 1964, p. 1B, col. 1, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19640503&id=0fxVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dOMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1717,288738.

Triangle Publications Inc., (The Morning Telegraph), "Kentucky Derby Chart, 'Seventh,'" The New York Times, May 3, 1964, p. 1, col. 7-8.

Arthur Daley, "Sports of The Times," The New York Times, May 4, 1964, http://www.nytimes.com/1964/05/04/sports-of-the-times.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3As.

Orlo Robertson (Associated Press Sports Writer), "Northern Dancer Enters Preakness," The Gadsen Times, May 11, 1964, p. 7, col. 2, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19640510&id=CW0fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YNUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6347,1397372.

A.P., "Northern Dancer Wins Second Leg of Triple," Eugene Register-Guard, May 17, 1964, p. 2-B, col. 1, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19640517&id=3_xVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dOMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4410,3713123.

Joe Nichols, "Northern Dancer Is Victor In $176,700 Preakness; The Scoundrel 2D; Trails $6.20 Victor by 2 1/4 Lengths - Odds-on Hill Rise Runs Third," The New York Times, May 17, 1964, p. 1, col. 7.

U.P.I., "Northern Dancer won Preakness in first quarter-mile - says trainer," The Bulletin, May 18, 1964, p. 7, col. 1, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1243&dat=19640518&id=7vdYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TvcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2378,1023020.

A.P., "Northern Dancer Is Three Today - - Gets Carrot Cake," Ocala Star-Banner, May 27, 1964, p. 13, col. 2, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19640527&id=nG1PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-wQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2150,5705267.

Associated Press, "Northern Dancer Faces Biggest Hurdle," Evening Independent, June 1, 1964, p. 16-A, Col. 1, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19640601&id=6RpQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7VYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7302,123347.

A.P., "Small Field to challenge Dancer in Belmont Stakes," Spokane Daily Chronicle, June 2, 1964, p. 12, col. 1, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1338&dat=19640602&id=9VVYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4849,468101.

U.P.I., "Northern Dancer Tops Belmont," Deseret News And Telegram, June 5, 1964, p. 8B, col. 6, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=336&dat=19640605&id=oYwqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eFgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3825,1236971.

A.P., "Quadrangle Spoils Northern Dancer's Bid," Eugene Register-Guard, June 7, 1964, p. 2B, col. 3, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19640607&id=s_1VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=--IDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4938,1098583.

Orlo Robertson, "Quadrangle Upset Winner in Belmont; Roman Brother 2nd, Northern Dancer 3rd," Reading Eagle, June 7, 1964, p. 47, col. 6, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19640607&id=qhcrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D50FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4128,2812716.

Joe Reichler, "Ycaza Certain of Win At Quarter-Mile Pole," Reading Eagle, June 7, 1964, p. 47, col. 7, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19640607&id=qhcrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D50FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4128,2812716.

Lennox, Northern Dancer, p. 103.

A.P., "Northern Dancer Licks Queen's Plate Field," St. Petersburg Times, June 21, 1964, p. 5-C, col. 5, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19640621&id=m2JSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6XwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5157,308237.

A.P., "Northern Dancer Injured Slightly," The Tuscaloosa News, August 2, 1964, p. 11, col. 8, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19640802&id=swsfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_poEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6042,118710.

U.P.I., "Northern Dancer May Be Through Due To Injury," Lodi New-Sentinel, August 19, 1964, p. 10, col. 3, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19640819&id=TZozAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gzIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=4697,3551142.

Lennox, Northern Dancer, pp. 111-114, 191.

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009 (Lexington, KY: Thoroughbred Times Books, 2008), p. 86.

A.P., "Northern Dancer goes out with $2.8 million yearling," Daily News, July 19, 1989, p. 4B, col. 4, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1696&dat=19890719&id=Xw0dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=E5gEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6982,2987924.

Reuter, "Northern Dancer to stud," Manila Standard, April 21, 1987, p. 7, col. 1, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1370&dat=19870421&id=0WwVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gwsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3694,5348047.

"Mrs. Penny," Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database,
http://www.pedigreequery.com/mrs+penny.

"Northern Park," Pedigree Online Thoroughbre Database,
http://www.pedigreequery.com/northern+park.

"Silver Cup," Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database,
http://www.pedigreequery.com/silver+cup10.

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009, pp. 279, 439, 444.

Associated Press, "Northern Dancer succumbs to colic," Ocala Star-Banner, November 17, 1990, p. 1C, col. 4, p. 5C, col. 4, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19901117&id=PCkxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JQcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1714,6153842.

"Northern Dancer," Hall of Fame Inductee, 1976, Thoroughbred, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, http://horseracinghalloffame.com/1976/12/04/northern-dancer/.

Thoroughbreds, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, http://canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/?page_id=420.

Hall Of Fame, Thoroughbred Race Horses, National Museum Of Racing And Hall Of Fame, http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/Horses.asp?varsort=name.

Blood-Horse Staff, "E.R. Bradley, E.P. Taylor in Hall of Fame," June 16, 2014, Blood-Horse, http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/85712/e-r-bradley-e-p-taylor-in-hall-of-fame.

Copyright 2014 by John Califano

Northern Dancer: Champion, Canadian Hero

(This is the second of a three-part series.)

PART TWO: STARTING GATE

The man and his little horse

Northern Dancer was bred and owned by Edward Plunkett Taylor, the most prominent businessman in Canada, who ran five major industries through his Argus Corporation. A previous home-bred of Taylor's,Victoria Park, had run third in the 1960 Kentucky Derby. In 1962, when Northern Dancer was a yearling, standing under fifteen hands, Taylor tried to sell him for $25,000. Nobody was interested. The owner and his horse returned home, no one knowing at the time that arguably the greatest bargain in Thoroughbred history had been passed up.

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Taylor's horse enterprise consisted of the National Stud Farm in Oshawa, and racing operation at Windfields Farm in Toronto. He also had a Windfields operation in Maryland. Taylor was the primary force behind the rejuvenation of what had been a struggling Canadian racing condition.

Early training and off to the races
Northern Dancer was short but sturdily built and compact. He would be conditioned by the Argentine Huratio Luro and his assistant, Peaches Fleming. A heel problem delayed the juvenile's early training and he finally had his first breeze in early June at Woodbine, a respectable three-furlong work. With exercise rider Ramon Hernandez on his back, Northern Dancer had his first gate drill the following month, and it was here that his natural disposition and running style surfaced. Northern Dancer made it clear he didn't like being touched with a whip. Hernandez did just that and the young colt was off to the races, hell bent for leather, moving at racehorse speed. He was subsequently sent to Fort Erie and drilled again a week later. Precocious and green, Northern Dancer was amazingly quick out of the gate, and covered four furlongs in a tick under the track record.

He made his first three starts at Fort Erie, beginning on August 2, 1963 in a restricted 5 1/2 furlong Maiden Special Weight for Canadian-breds. Donning the turquoise and gold silks of Windfields Farm, he faced seven other juveniles, breaking from post seven with Canadian Ron Turcotte aboard. The jockey was told not to use the whip. The colt was close to the pace through five furlongs, when a half furlong out Turcotte lightly touched the horse with his whip. The response was immediate and Northern Dancer took off, drawing well clear of the others, and hitting the wire eight lengths in front. The finishing time was 1:06 1/5.

Paul Bohenko got the call on Northern Dancer for his next two races, starting with the 6 1/2 furlong Vandal Stakes on August 17. Turcotte was aboard Ramblin' Road, an excellent, experienced runner, who under 122 would give Northern Dancer thirteen pounds. In a field of eleven, Northern Dancer, carrying a feathery 109, left post five, dueled with Brockton Boy, under 115, for the lead through roughly six furlongs, cutting out fractions of :23 1/5, :46 4/5, and 1:12 2/5, before running out of steam. Both horses were then passed by Ramblin' Road who had expanded his margin to four lengths when he crossed the wire in 1:19. Northern Dancer was next after winning his skirmish with Brockton Boy who arrived third, another two and a half lengths back. 

Northern Dancer made his third start one week later in the one mile Summer Stakes, the colt's first of two races on turf.  He broke first but then had difficulty negotiating the soft ground. He maintained his hard pressed lead to the wire with a 1 1/4 length margin over Slithering at equal weights of 115. His finishing time was an understandably pedestrian 1:43 2/5. It had been an impressive effort, considering the conditions.

Northern Dancer was again entered in a turf race on September 28 at Woodbine. It would also be the first time he traveled over a mile. The contest was the restricted 1 1/16 mile Cup and Saucer, with a field of sixteen, on a firm course. Turcotte was back on the horse, assigned 124 pounds, and the pair contested the pace, grabbed a slight lead at six furlongs, then grudgingly relinquished it to the relatively obscure Grand Garcon, under 113, who won by three-quarters of a length, in a time of 1:45 3/5.

Three more restricted starts were scheduled for Northern Dancer, starting with a one mile, seventy yard allowance on October 7, followed five days later with the 1 1/8 mile Coronation Futurity, both at Woodbine, and in early November the seven furlong Carleton at Greenwood in Toronto. Northern Dancer swept all three, his winning margin in the Coronation more than six lengths against fourteen others, and the victory in the Carleton on a muddy track.

Having asserted himself as the best two-year-old in Canada, Northern Dancer next traveled to Aqueduct and prevailed in his final two starts of 1963, under Manuel Ycaza. Entered in a one mile allowance, called the Sir Gaylord Purse, he was given co-high weight of 124 pounds along with Belmont's Futurity winner Bupers, a son of black-type winner Double Jay, out of the War Admiral stakes winning mare Busanda, who in April had foaled a bay colt given the name Buckpasser. Northern Dancer romped home by eight lengths with Bupers next. Again assigned 124 for the one mile Remsen Stakes, Northern Dancer won by two lengths, giving the runner-up and third horse twelve and seven pounds respectively.

Rest and patch work
Northern Dancer's two-year-old season was over. He had made nine starts, posted seven wins, two seconds, and earned $90,635, while always breaking quick to eagerly contend the pace. But there had also been a downside. In addition to the earlier heel condition, he had started developing a quarter crack. The colt would now get more than two months rest and point for a busy sophomore campaign. During the recess, Luro would have a farrier apply a special patch to protect the hoof.

*  *  *

Still a youngster at three
On January 1, 1964, Northern Dancer turned three-years-old, per the Thoroughbred calendar, although he was still biologically two until late May. He was one of the youngest horses among his crop, and probably the best.

The first three races of the colt's three-year-old season would take place at the Hialeah racetrack in Miami, Florida, beginning on February 10, with a six furlong allowance, among a field of seven, on a track labeled fast. Bobby Ussery was in the irons, and Northern Dancer broke from post two; but his trip was compromised after first getting hit by Bazaar at the break. Ussery had to drop him back to last, then steered him over to the rail, but as the race progressed Northern Dancer had no room to run. The previous year's Cowdin Stakes winner, Chieftain, a son of Bold Ruler, was all out to beat Mom's Request by a head, with Northern Dancer two lengths behind in third.

Two weeks later, Luro got a seven furlong contest he had actually wanted for Northern Dancer in his previous start. Bill Shoemaker would ride and the colt turned the tables on Chieftain, defeating his rival by seven lengths at equal weights. The race, deemed a Special Weight, was only an exhibition, with no purse or wagering, and Trader was the only other runner. Although it didn't count on Northern Dancer's record, a win was still a win, and he had looked impressive, stopping the clock in 1:23 2/5 on a track that was only "good."

Playing for keeps
On March 3, 32,000 spectators showed up to see Northern Dancer put to the test in the 1 1/8 mile Flamingo Stakes against a solid field of ten other three-year-olds, that included Mr. Brick, a speedy front-running sort. The small Florida-bred bay gelding Roman Brother, although lacking notoriety, was a steady, consistently good runner. There was also Ishkoodah, another Florida-bred and son of 1956 Kentucky Derby/Belmont Stakes winner and champion Needles. If the pace was lively, Ishkoodah's stretch running style could be to his advantage. The other horse in the field was another relative unknown named Quadrangle, owned by Paul Mellon's Rokeby Stable and bred in Virginia. The consensus seemed to be that Quadrangle would be in the money. They were running for the winner's share of a $138,200 purse and with Shoemaker staying aboard, Northern Dancer was at even odds.

When the group left the gate, Mr. Brick got the jump, with Northern Dancer tracking. In the stretch the Nearctic colt took the lead for keeps, with his winning margin two lengths. Mr. Brick was next, followed by Quadrangle, Journalist, and a dead heat for fifth between Roman Brother and Dandy K. The winner checked in with a time of 1:47 4/5, just four ticks off Bold Ruler's track and stakes record set seven years earlier. Northern Dancer pocketed $89,830 to bring his career total to $180,865.

Heading to stardom
Northern Dancer raced again four weeks later, on March 28, cutting back to seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park. Ycaza would ride again, and the pair faced six rivals. The allowance contest was known as the Mrs. Florida Purse, and Northern Dancer carried high weight of 122 pounds. Offering a modest purse of $6,000, he broke fifth, but after four furlongs was second, then took charge going into the stretch, extending his lead to three lengths before adding another length at the wire. After way-station clockings of :22, :44 3/5, and three-quarters in 1:09 3/5, Northern Dancer stopped the clock in 1:22 2/5 equaling the track record. The runner-up was The Scoundrel, a California-bred chestnut colt, trained by Rex Ellsworth, the man who had conditioned Swaps. Trailing The Scoundrel by two and three-quarter lengths was Troy Our Boy.

High profile
Northern Dancer continued to race without any significant spacing between starts. Only a week after his allowance win, he contested Gulfstream Park's thirteenth running of the 1 1/8 mile Florida Derby, along with The Scoundrel. Shoemaker was again on Northern Dancer in a field of eight, with his mount breaking from the rail. The purse was $116,500.

A crowd of 30,000 watched Greek Episode set a tepid pace, with a quarter in :23 2/5, and half in :47 3/5. Northern Dancer sat in third, then advanced one position with six furlongs covered in 1:12 1/5. With a mile run in 1:38, the Canadian took the lead leaving the backstretch. As he made his way to the finish, The Scoundrel, under Henry Moreno, was closing well but unable to reach the leader, once again having to settle for second, as Northern Dancer prevailed by a length in a time of 1:50 4/5. Dandy K crossed in third, followed by Roman Brother, Greek Episode, Ky. Pioneer, Ishkoodah, and Saltville.

Northern Dancer's growing high profile had made him one of the heavy favorites for the Kentucky Derby; but he would first go to Keeneland for one more prep.

Thus far in his career Northern Dancer had been ridden by six different jockeys, not a good situation for any horse, especially one of this caliber. Shoemaker decided to jump off Northern Dancer in favor of another California-bred with a glowing reputation, but a horse he had never ridden. His name was Hill Rise, a big, beautiful bay son of black-type winner Hillary, out of the Russia II (AUS) mare Red Curtain. Shoemaker had seen Hill Rise and felt he was the better choice to win the 1 1/4 mile "run for the roses." Luro had to engage the services of a seventh jockey for his little colt, but this wasn't any ordinary rider, and for the duration of Northern Dancer's race career, he would team with Bill Hartack, already a three-time Derby winner. Hartack had won in 1957 on Iron Liege, with Venetian Way in 1960, and aboard Decidedly in 1962. Ironically, Luro had trained Decidedly, who was owned and bred by George Pope's El Peco Ranch. Pope also owned Hill Rise.

Keeping momentum
On April 23 Northern Dancer made his sixth start of the year in Keeneland's 1 1/8 mile Blue Grass Stakes, among a small field of five horses, a race Decidedly had won in route to his Derby victory.

Besides Northern Dancer, other entries were Arkansas Derby winner Prince Davelle, and Saltville, who had lost previously to Northern Dancer. Saltville was owned by Darby Dan, the group who also campaigned the previous year's duel classic winner and three-year-old champion male Chateaugay. Royal Shuck, the Arkansas Derby runner-up, was also in, as was Allan Adair. Northern Dancer was assigned the classic weight of 126 pounds, with Prince Davelle at 123, and the others under 121. Northern Dancer won by a half length over late driving Allan Adair, with the win easier than the margin might have suggested.

Beginning in Canada, less than nine months earlier, and continuing in the Lower '48, Northern Dancer had amassed eleven wins in fourteen starts, with two runner-up finishes, and a third. It was now time for the colt to show a national and international audience what a Canadian was really capable of. And show them he would with a performance that could only be described as monumental.

To be continued...

Bibliography

Orlo Robertson, "Success of Northern Dancer Brings Popularity to Owner," Reading Eagle, July 5, 1964, p. 39, col. 1, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19640705&id=K7YhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MJ0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=5587,1974476.

Muriel Lennox, Northern Dancer; The Legend and His Legacy (Toronto, ON: Beach House Books, 1995), pp. 64-66.

Daily Racing Form, Champions: The Lives, Times, and Past Performances of America's Greatest Thoroughbreds, Revised Edition, Champions from 1893-2004 (New York: Daily Racing Form Press, 2005), p. 216.

Lennox, Northern Dancer, pp. 67-69, 72-75.

"Northern Dancer," Thoroughbred Champions; Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century (Lexington, KY: The Blood-Horse, Inc., 1999), p. 135.

Art Grace, "No Room To Run, Northern Dancer Loses," The Miami News, February 11, 1964, p. 4B, col. 1, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2206&dat=19640211&id=cawyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GeoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=716,4640866.

Dave Goldman, "Northern Dancer Top Gun," Ocala Star-Banner, March 1, 1964, p. 20, col. 5, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19640301&id=uJAUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CgUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5144,181509.

A.P., "Northern Dancer Wins Flamingo By 2 Lengths," The Morning Record, March 4, 1964, p. 5, col. 4, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2512&dat=19640304&id=kKFIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PQENAAAAIBAJ&pg=2694,239602.

"Northern Dancer Equals Record In Gulfstream Win," The Gazette, March 30, 1964, p. 22, col. 1, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19640330&id=PcQtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nJ8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=5815,5394089.

A.P., "Northern Dancer Snares Florida Derby Win," Sarasota Herald-Tribune, April 5, 1964, p. 47, col. 1, Google news, http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19640405&id=QuchAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sGUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7506,1077780.

A.P., "Northern Dancer Takes Final Derby Prep In Blue Grass Stakes Today," The Gazette, April 23, 1964 p. 30, col. 1.

Copyright 2014 by John Califano

Northern Dancer: Champion, Canadian Hero

(This is the first of a three-part series.)

It has been fifty years since Northern Dancer ran his last race. His legendary status has been largely based on the huge contributions he made, and continues to make through his descendants, as a stallion, and rightfully so. Yet the esteem of the Canadian public has held Northern Dancer as a national hero for what he first achieved as a racehorse. And indeed, his fame as an athlete was assured even if he hadn't become the breed's most successful stallion. 

The following story is a journey back, before anyone knew what Northern Dancer would become in a post-racing career. While the narrative does comment about the stallion, this story is primarily dedicated to Northern Dancer the racehorse, beginning with a discussion of his ancestry, those great racers, stallions, and mares who preceded him, and who passed on from one generation to the next the genes that ultimately gave the Thoroughbred world the great gift that was Northern Dancer.

PART ONE: FABULOUS GENES

THE SIRES

Cyllene (GB) -- Chestnut horse -- b.1895
Cyllene was a small male foal, who grew into an attractive horse, with a sock on his right front and left hinds, and a blaze running down his face. He became an excellent racer in England, winning nine of eleven starts, with two placings, from 5 1/2 furlongs to the 2 1/2 mile Gold Cup.  An extraordinary weight carrier, he was once asked to carry 136 pounds as a juvenile, and still finished a strong second in the Imperial Produce Stakes, after giving the winner ten pounds. At age three, he won the Sandown Park Foal Stakes by open daylight under 140.

Cyllene carried his value into the breeding shed, and from 1902-1909 sired future Epsom Derby winners Cicero (GB), Minoru (GB), Lemberg (GB), and the filly Tagalie (GB). Minoru preceded his Derby victory with a win in the Two Thousand Guineas, and later as a stallion sired Serenissima (GB), a bay filly, foaled in 1913, who became a stakes winner. Serenissima was later bred to Chaucer (GB), a small, exquisite looking horse, stakes winner, and son of the great influence St. Simon (GB). In 1919 she gave birth to future stakes winner Selene (GB), who was eventually bred to English Triple Crown winner Gainsborough (GB). In 1930 they produced the immortal English champion and sire Hyperion (GB).

One of the mares sent to Cyllene's court was the Hampton (GB) daughter Maid Marian (GB), out of Quiver (GB), and a brown half-sister to the St. Simon mares Memoir (GB) and La Fleche (GB). Memoir and La Fleche raced in the early 1890s, both winning the Epsom Oaks and St. Leger, with La Fleche also winning the One Thousand Guineas before adding the Ascot Gold Cup the following year. Maid Marian gave birth to Cyllene's most prominent offspring, a male name Polymelus (GB).

Fifth sire -- Polymelus -- Bay horse -- b.1902
Polymelus was sleek and muscular with a sock on his left front. He competed for four seasons, ages two through five, and although not considered a great racer, was a very good one, with well regarded form. Polymelus posted eight starts as a juvenile winning three lesser stakes, and the following year recorded four wins in stakes, and four placings in eleven starts. He also turned in credible runner-up performances in the St. James Palace and 1 3/4 mile St. Leger. At age four Polymelus won the Duke of York Stakes for the second time, followed by scores in the Cambridgeshire Handicap and Newmarket's Champion Stakes. He won the Princess of Wales Stakes as a five-year-old. His career totals were thirty-one starts, eleven wins, 7 seconds, and 2 thirds. After he finished racing, the horse became England's preeminent sire in the early century.

Polymelus fathered many high level stakes winners, including several classic winners, namely 1914 St. Leger victor Black Jester (GB), 1915 Triple Crown champion Pommern (GB), 1916 Oaks and Derby winner Fifinella (GB), 1920 One Thousand Guineas winner Cinna (GB), and the sweet but chronically ill and short-lived Humorist (GB), who won the Derby in 1921. Black Jester later sired Black Ray (GB), future dam of Eclair (GB), who in turn was the dam of Khaled (GB), the sire of the great American Horse of the Year Swaps. Polymelus was also bred to the Persimmon (GB) mare Dreamy II (GB), and in 1915 produced War Cloud (GB), winner of the 1918 Preakness Stakes (held that year in two divisions), and runner-up in the Belmont Stakes.

Polymelus was leading sire in Britain several times, yet even before he led any list, had already sired his most famous son. Bred to the mare Bromus (GB), by Derby winner Sainfoin (GB), their male offspring was given the name Phalaris (GB).

Fourth sire -- Phalaris -- Brown horse -- b.1913
Phalaris had a racing resume of 24 starts for 16 wins, 2 seconds, and a third. He had the capacity to carry crushing weights and give considerable allowances, while winning in stakes competition. He particularly excelled at five to seven furlongs but also won at a mile and 1 1/4 miles.

The contributions Phalaris made as a stallion cannot be overstated, but his impact wasn't felt immediately. Because he had been mostly successful as a sprinter, there were doubts about his ability to pass on stamina. His owner, the Seventh Earl of Derby, wanted to breed for the classics and Phalaris was largely passed over in the breeding shed. The Earl considered selling the horse but instead sent him to Woodland Stud.

Thankfully one of Phalaris' sons dispelled the misgivings. Bred to the Chaucer chestnut mare Scapa Flow (GB), in his first crop Phalaris sired Pharos (GB).

Third sire -- Pharos -- Dark bay/brown horse -- b.1920
Pharos was a small colt with ideal conformation. He began racing inauspiciously, losing at the distance of a mile, and reaffirming the reservations about the sire; however, Pharos then finished a strong second in the twelve furlong Derby, and later was successful at ten furlongs. The doubts about father and son as stamina stallions were finally dismissed. Pharos became a top sire in France, and among the mares he covered was the duel stakes winner Carissima (FR.), by Two Thousand Guineas winner Clarissimus (GB), out of the unraced mare Casquetts (GB). Carissima produced Pharis (FR.), a brown colt, foaled in 1936, who only raced three times, but was so spectacular that he was crowned French three-year-old champion, an honor validated by his unbelievable victories in the French Derby and Grand Prix de Paris. Taken to Germany during the War, Pharis was miserable, but eventually was returned to his native country where he thrived as a leading sire.

If this son of Pharos had an illustrious reputation, the status of another son was even loftier. Pharos was bred to the Italian classic winner Nogura (ITY.), by eleven time leading Italian sire Havresac (FR.), and produced Nearco (ITY.), one of the finest horses in the history of the Thoroughbred breed.

Grandsire -- Nearco -- Brown horse -- b.1935
A powerful, dominating racehorse, with an aggressiveness he would pass along to a future son and grandson, Nearco was bred by the legendary trainer and breeder Federico Tesio. Nearco was undefeated Italian champion at ages two and three, from fourteen starts, including the Grand Prix de Paris and Derby Italiano. As a stallion he was one of the most influential of all time. Two of his greatest sons were Nasrullah (GB), English champion and sire of American stars Bold Ruler and Nashua, and Royal Charger (GB), sire of fifty stakes winners. A broodmare sire of equal proclivity, one of Nearco's many standout maternal grandsons was the 1968 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Vaguely Noble (IRE.).

The only stallion in the world who compared to Nearco was Hyperion. From this cross was passed on to a future generation the genetic ability to change the face of breeding and racing, a transformation that continues into the current century.

One of the mares who visited Nearco's court was the Hyperion daughter Lady Angela (GB), out of Sister Sarah (GB). Lady Angela's dam had only been briefly raced, and was not a stakes winner. The daughter seemed to follow suit, with her best outing coming in a minor stakes win from eleven starts. In 1954, from Nearco's cover, Lady Angela gave birth to a male foal at E.P. Taylor's National Stud Farm in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. It was through this future stallion that Canadian breeding would gain international prominence. The foal's name was Nearctic.

Sire -- Nearctic -- Brown horse -- b.1954
Nearctic was an aggressive, difficult horse to handle, let alone ride, and he resented authority. With expert training by Pete McCann, and Horatio Luro, and time, the colt finally got better. He won the Saratoga Special and named two-year-old champion in 1956. It was hoped that Nearctic would be a classic competitor but his real strength was as a miler; yet he could still win at various distances, including track record performances at six furlongs and 1 1/16 miles, and another in the Michigan Mile. Despite suffering a quarter crack for the four years he raced, in 1958 he was named Canada's Horse of the Year. Nearctic retired with 47 starts for twenty-one wins, 5 seconds, and 3 thirds. In 1960 he began breeding at the National Stud Farm. His total progeny included 49 stakes winners, four from his first crop, including Langcrest, Pierlou, and Arctic Hills. Through his daughter, the stakes placed Arctic Dancer, Nearctic was broodmare sire of the great Eclipse Champion filly and Canadian Horse of the Year La Prevoyante.

THE DAMS

Fly By Night -- Chestnut mare -- b.1910
Fly By Night was unraced. Sired by Belmont Stakes winner Peter Pan, she was a granddaughter of the great Commando, himself a Belmont Stakes winner and two-time divisional champion. Commando was also the sire of undefeated Colin.

One of the stallions Fly By Night visited was the mulitple stakes winner Broomstick, who had already sired Whisk Broom II, the first winner of the New York Handicap Triple Crown, and Regret, racing's first filly to win the Kentucky Derby. Fly By Night and Broomstick produced a female foal who was named Flying Witch.

Fifth dam -- Flying Witch -- Bay mare -- b.1917
Like her dam, Flying Witch was unraced. She was sent to the court of standout sire, broodmare sire, and former mulitple stakes winner Chicle (FR.), a son of Epsom Derby winner Speamint (GB), and grandson of Australia's greatest nineteenth century racehorse Carbine (NZ).  Flying Witch gave birth to a female foal who would be called Mother Goose.

Fourth dam -- Mother Goose -- Brown mare -- b.1922
Named champion juvenile filly in 1924, Mother Goose had a race career consisting of ten starts, and seven wins or placings, including a victory in the Futurity against twenty-eight rivals. Mother Goose produced five known foals, three of them by two-time Jockey Club Gold Cup winner and champion Mad Hatter. Of these, the gelding Brant was black-type placed. Mother Goose's daughter, Gosling, by stakes winner St. Germans (GB) was a black-type winner. To the writer's knowledge, Mother Goose's last foal was Arbitrator, by black-type winner Peace Chance.

Third dam -- Arbitrator -- Bay mare -- b.1937
The unraced Arbitrator was a productive broodmare, counting among her ten foals the black-type placed colt Air Attack, by Carrier Pigeon, black-type winners Burra Sahib, a gelding, and the filly Dispute, both by Mahmoud (FR.), and Referee, a black-type placed colt by Goya II (FR.). The sire Mahmoud was an Epsom Derby winner in 1936, and English champion. He became a leading sire of more than sixty stakes winners and the broodmare sire of Kentucky Derby winner Determine, Belmont Stakes victor Gallant Man (GB), European group stakes winner Grey Dawn (FR.), American champion filly Silver Spoon, and Your Host, the sire of five-time American Horse of the Year Kelso. Mahmoud's own sire, Bleinheim II, also sired American Triple Crown winner and two-time Horse of the Year Whirlaway. Bleinheim II was the broodmare sire of American two-time champion Coaltown.

Another cover by Mahmoud produced Arbitrator's best offspring, Almahmoud.

Second dam -- Almahmoud -- Chestnut mare -- b.1947
Almahmoud was a stakes winner from eleven starts and became a superb broodmare. She was the fourth dam of the great stallion Danehill, and through her stakes winning daughter and future Broodmare of the Year Cosmah, Almahmoud was second dam of mulitple champion Tosmah, and stakes winner Halo, the latter who became the sire of Kentucky Derby winner Sunny's Halo, and duel classic/Breeders' Cup Classic winner, American Horse of the Year, and international stallion Sunday Silence. In the late 1980s, Almahmoud became the fourth dam of two-time female grass champion Flawlessly.

Broodmare sire -- Native Dancer -- Grey horse -- b.1950
Native Dancer needs no explanation. He has been discussed in earlier Gallop Out stories, and his notoriety was rivaled in American racing by only Man o'War, who preceded him, and Secretariat, who followed him. Native Dancer became as important a stallion as he was a racehorse, and probably more so, siring more than forty stakes winners, including sons Raise A Native, who sired Mr. Prospector, and Dan Cupid, the sire of Sea-Bird (FR.).

Almahmoud visited Native Dancer and they produced a female foal who was named Natalma.

Dam -- Natalma -- Bay mare -- b.1957
Natalma made seven starts, posting three wins, and was stakes-placed. She won the Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga, but was disqualified. Retired at age three due to injury, the broodmare Natalma would produce six stakes winners. The first to cover her was Nearctic, and there would be four more breedings to this stallion.

Natalma's first foal, and Nearctic's other first crop stakes winner, was a runt of a horse, with a bay color, three white stockings and a beautiful face, having a prominent blaze running diagonally down to the left side of his muzzle; but because of his size, he would not impress future prospective buyers. The male foal, born on May 27, 1961, at the National Stud Farm, was Northern Dancer. His future legacy would be in perpetuation.

To be continued...

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Muriel Lennox, Northern Dancer: The Legend and His Legacy (Toronto, ON: Beach House Books, 1995), p. 41.

"Nearctic," Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame Inductee, 1977, Thoroughbred, horseracinghalloffame.com/1977/12/02/nearctic/.

Lennox, Northern Dancer, p. 44.

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009, pp. 83, 85.

"Fly By Night," Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database,
http://www.pedigreequery.com/flybynight

"Broomstick," National Museum Of Racing And Hall Of Fame, Hall Of Fame, Horses, http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/horses-view.asp?varID=37

"Arbitrator," Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database, http://www.pedigreequery.com/progeny/arbitrator2

Thoroughbred Times Co., Inc., The Original Thoroughbred Times Racing Almanac 2009, pp. 74, 851.

"Natalma," Pedigree Online Thoroughbred Database,
http://www.pedigreequery.com/natalma

"Natalma," Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame Inductee, Thoroughbred, 2007, Thoroughbred, http://horseracinghalloffame.com/2007/12/01/natalma/.

Lennox, Northern Dancer, p. 55.

Copyright 2014 by John Califano