View source for Nijinsky (horse)

{{Short description|Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse (1967–1992)}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}

{{Infobox racehorse
| horsename = Nijinsky
| image = Nijinsky.jpg
| caption = Nijinsky (Liam Ward) winning the Gladness Stakes at the Curragh in 1970
| sire = [[Northern Dancer]]
| grandsire = [[Nearctic (horse)|Nearctic]]
| dam = [[Flaming Page]]
| damsire = [[Bull Page]]
| sex = [[Stallion (horse)|Stallion]]
| foaled = 21 February 1967
| country = Canada
| colour = [[Bay (horse)|Bay]]
| breeder = [[Windfields Farm]]
| owner = [[Charles W. Engelhard Jr.]]
| trainer = [[Vincent O'Brien]]
| record = 13: 11–2–0
| earnings= $677,177
| race = [[Railway Stakes (Ireland)|Railway Stakes]] (1969)<br />[[Anglesey Stakes]] (1969)<br />[[Beresford Stakes]] (1969)<br />[[Dewhurst Stakes]] (1969)<br />[[Gladness Stakes]] (1970)<br />[[2,000 Guineas Stakes|2,000 Guineas]] (1970)<br />[[Epsom Derby]] (1970)<br />[[Irish Derby]] (1970)<br />[[King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes]] (1970)<br />[[St. Leger Stakes]] (1970)
| awards =[[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing#English Triple Crowns|15th UK Triple Crown Champion]] (1970)<br />[[Timeform]] Horse of the Year (1970)<br />British Horse of the Year (1970)<br />[[Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland|Leading sire in GB & Ireland]] (1986)<br />[[Leading broodmare sire in North America|North American leading broodmare sire]] (1993 & 1994)
| honours =1970 Motion Picture – ''A Horse Called Nijinsky''<br />[[Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame]] (1976)<br />[[Nijinsky Stakes (Canada)]]<br />[[Nijinsky Stakes (Ireland)]]<br />[[Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial]]<br />Timeform rating: 138
|updated=28 March 2022
}}
'''Nijinsky''' (21 February 1967 – 15 April 1992) was a Canadian-bred, Irish-trained champion [[Thoroughbred]] [[horse-racing|racehorse]] and [[Horse breeding|sire]]. He was the outstanding two-year-old in Europe in 1969 when he was unbeaten in five races. In the following season, he became the first horse for thirty-five years to win the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing#English Triple Crowns|English Triple Crown]], a feat that has not been repeated as of 2025. He is regarded as one of the greatest European [[Flat racing|flat racehorses]] of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301342731|title=Vincent O'Brien Biography|first=P. G.|last=McKenna|date=1 January 2015|via=ResearchGate}}</ref><ref name="Daily Telegraph 2018">[https://web.archive.org/web/20180512161146/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/racing/greatest-derby-winners/nijinsky-epsom-1970-profile/ “Nijinsky (1970)”]. Daily Telegraph, 2 June 2018.</ref><!--These are not expert sources, nor do they state that the horse was 'the greatest ever'. They *do support the assertion that he was one of the best. Do not revert this back again-->

He was also historically important for establishing the international reputation of his sire [[Northern Dancer]], though Nijinsky was atypical of Northern Dancer progeny in size and conformation. Retired to stud, he became the [[leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland]] and the [[leading broodmare sire in North America]]. As a winner of top-class races from 6-14 furlongs, Nijinsky is also considered to be among the most versatile of the great horses of the 20th century.<ref name="americanclassicpedigrees.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.americanclassicpedigrees.com/nijinsky-ii-can.html|title=Nijinsky II (horse)|website=American Classic Pedigrees}}</ref>

==Background==
Nijinsky, a bay horse with a white [[Horse markings|heart on his forehead]] and three [[Horse markings#Leg markings|white feet]], was bred at [[E. P. Taylor]]'s [[Windfields Farm]] in [[Oshawa]], Ontario, Canada. He was from the second crop of foals sired by Northern Dancer, the winner of the 1964 [[Kentucky Derby]] who went on to become one of the most influential sires of the 20th century. His dam, [[Flaming Page]], by [[Bull Page]], was a successful racemare, winning the 1962 Queen's Plate. At stud, she produced only two other foals. One of these was Fleur by [[Victoria Park (horse)|Victoria Park]], who produced the 1977 Epsom Derby winner [[The Minstrel]] by [[Northern Dancer]]; the other was Minsky, champion Irish two-year-old in 1970 and full brother to Nijinsky.<ref name="chef-de-race1">{{cite web |url=http://www.chef-de-race.com/classic_winners/english_derby/nijinsky_ii.htm |title=English Derby Winner: Nijinsky II |publisher=Chef-de-race.com |access-date=5 January 2012 |archive-date=8 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608101029/http://www.chef-de-race.com/classic_winners/english_derby/nijinsky_ii.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Nijinsky was a big, powerful and handsome horse with great presence, standing {{hands|16.3}} high, resembling his dam rather than his sire in stature and conformation, traits he tended to pass on to his offspring.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1V6kJSUgd54C&dq=Nijinsky+%22Triple+Crown%22&pg=PA81 |title=Great breeders and their methods ... – Frank J. Mitchell – Google Books |isbn=9780929346786 |access-date=5 January 2012|last1=Mitchell |first1=Frank J. |year=2005 |publisher=The Russell Meerdink Company }}</ref>

He was offered for sale at the Windfields Farm's annual yearling auction where he was bought for $84,000 ({{Inflation|US|84000|1968|r=-4|fmt=eq}}) by the American minerals magnate and industrialist [[Charles W. Engelhard Jr.]], acting on the advice of the Irish trainer [[Vincent O'Brien]]. It was Engelhard's wife [[Jane Engelhard|Jane]] who decided that the colt should be named after the dancer [[Vaslav Nijinsky]]. Nijinsky was shipped to Ireland, where he was trained by O'Brien at [[Ballydoyle]], [[County Tipperary]].

==Racing career==

===1969: two-year-old season===
Nijinsky's first four races were all at the [[Curragh Racecourse|Curragh]]. In June, he started at odds of [[Fixed odds betting#Fractional odds|4/11]] and won the six-[[furlong]] Erne [[maiden race]] easily.<ref>O'Brien, Jacqueline and Herbert, Ivor. Vincent O'Brien: The Official Biography (2005) Bantam Press ISBN 0-593-05474-1</ref> He followed up with wins in the [[Anglesey Stakes]] and the [[Railway Stakes (Ireland)|Railway Stakes]]. On his fourth appearance, he was extended for the first time in the [[Beresford Stakes]]. He won decisively from Decies, a colt who went on to win the [[Irish 2000 Guineas]] in 1970. Having proved himself the best of the Irish two-year-olds, he was sent to England in October to contest the [[Dewhurst Stakes]] at [[Newmarket Racecourse|Newmarket]]. Ridden for the first time by [[Lester Piggott]], he was held up at the back of the six-horse field before moving through easily to take the lead inside the final furlong, earning top rating in the British Free Handicap.<ref name="Mortimer">{{cite book | last1 = Mortimer | first1 = Roger |last2=Onslow|first2=Richard|last3=Willett|first3=Peter| title = Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing| publisher=Macdonald and Jane's | year = 1978| isbn = 0-354-08536-0}}</ref><ref name="nytimes1992">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/16/sports/horse-racing-nijinsky-ii-destroyed-at-claiborne-farm.html |title=Nijinsky II Destroyed at Claiborne Farm – |work=The New York Times |date=16 April 1992 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref>

===1970: three-year-old season===
[[File:NijinskyII.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Nijinsky at the 1970 Irish Derby]]

====Spring====
On his first appearance as a three-year-old, Nijinsky beat the four-year-old Deep Run<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QMFDJfYT2UEC&q=Nijinsky+%22Deep+Run%22&pg=PA154 |title=Encyclopedia of British horseracing – Wray Vamplew, Joyce Kay – Google Books |isbn=9780714653563 |access-date=5 January 2012|last1=Vamplew |first1=Wray |last2=Kay |first2=Joyce |year=2005 |publisher=Psychology Press }}</ref> in the [[Gladness Stakes]] at the Curragh in April. The colt was then sent back to Newmarket for the [[2000 Guineas]] over one mile. He started the [[Fixed odds betting#Fractional odds|4/7]] favourite against thirteen opponents. Nijinsky took the lead two furlongs from the finish and, without being put under any pressure by Piggott,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lpJAAAAAIBAJ&pg=4106,6488917&dq=nijinsky&hl=en |title=Nijinsky promoted Derby favourite |newspaper=Glasgow Herald |date=30 April 1970 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> pulled clear to win by two and a half lengths from Yellow God. The second had won the Ascot 2,000 Guineas trial and the previous year's [[Gimcrack Stakes]], as well as finishing a close second in the [[Middle Park Stakes]].

====Summer====
Nijinsky's opposition in the Derby at [[Epsom Downs Racecourse|Epsom]] was stronger and he started at odds of 11/8 – the only time he was ever odds against. His rivals were headed by the French-trained colts Stintino and Gyr.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dwkyAAAAIBAJ&pg=7080,315723&dq=nijinsky&hl=en |title=It looks like Nijinsky's year |work=The Age|location=Melbourne |date=3 June 1970 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> The veteran French trainer [[Etienne Pollet]] had delayed his retirement for a year to guide Gyr, a son of his champion [[Sea-Bird]], through his three-year-old season.<ref name="Mortimer"/> Nijinsky was held up by Piggott as usual before moving forward in the straight, by which time Gyr was in front and pulling clear of the [[Prix Lupin]] winner, Stintino. A furlong and a half from the finish, Piggott used his whip on Nijinsky. The favourite responded immediately, catching Gyr in a few strides and pulling ahead to win from him by two and a half lengths, with Stintino third.

The winning time of 2:34.68 was the fastest Epsom Derby since 1936.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q0oNAAAAIBAJ&pg=7272,642253&dq=nijinsky&hl=en |title=Nijinsky cops Derby |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=4 June 1970 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> Nijinsky's time for the last two furlongs of the race (10.6 and 11.25 seconds, respectively) was of sprint championship-winning standard.<ref>[https://www.timeform.com/horse-racing/features/rowley/rowley-file-versatility,-greatness,-and-nijinsky%E2%80%99s-triple-crown-50-years-on-592020 'Rowleyfile: Analysing Nijinsky 50 years after he landed the Triple Crown']. Timeform, 6 September 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2022</ref> Piggott claimed that he was "always cantering", while [[Bill Williamson]], who rode Gyr, said that "Nijinsky was just too good".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2007/jun/01/nijinskioneofthegreatest |title=Nijinsky, one of the greatest &#124; ''The Guardian'' |work=The Guardian |date=1 June 2007 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> Gyr subsequently franked the form by easily winning the [[Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud]].<ref>[https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/nijinsky-and-lester-piggott-or-triple-crown-winners/201103 'Nijinsky and Lester Piggott|Triple Crown winners']. Timeform, 5 June 2022, retrieved 15 June 2022</ref>

On the day before the Derby, Nijinsky had overcome a severe bout of colic which could have threatened his life.<ref name="Scott">[https://broughscott.com/nijinsky-brough-scott/ 'Nijinsky – Brough Scott']. Brough Scott MBE. Journalist, Author & Broadcaster. ''Racing Post'', 1 January 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2022</ref>

On 27 June, Nijinsky followed up his Epsom win by taking the Irish Derby at the Curragh. Ridden by [[Liam Ward]], he started at odds of 4/11 and accelerated late to win by three lengths from Meadowville.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KmxGAAAAIBAJ&pg=882,6367289&dq=nijinsky&hl=en |title=Nijinsky captures Irish Sweepstakes |work=Schenectady Gazette |date=29 June 1970 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> In July, Nijinsky raced against older horses in the [[King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes]] at [[Ascot Racecourse|Ascot]]. His five opponents included winners of major races: [[Blakeney (horse)|Blakeney]] (1969 [[Epsom Derby]]), [[Karabas (horse)|Karabas]] ([[Washington, D.C. International Stakes]]), Crepellana ([[Prix de Diane]]) and Caliban ([[Coronation Cup]]). Without being extended, Nijinsky moved through to take the lead a furlong from the finish and won by two lengths from Blakeney despite being eased down to a [[canter]] in the closing stages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=k-NKAAAAIBAJ&pg=6766,5549203&dq=nijinsky&hl=en |title=Nijinsky wins 10th |work=The Press-Courier |date=26 July 1970 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref>

In August, Nijinsky contracted [[ringworm]], which seriously affected his training schedule. The horse lost most of the hair on his body.<ref name="Scott"/>

====Autumn====
Nijinsky appeared to be recovering after being placed on a "rich" diet including raw eggs and [[Irish Stout]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pJwgAAAAIBAJ&pg=1415,5131055&dq=nijinsky&hl=en |title=Nijinsky goes on rich diet |publisher=Lewiston Daily Sun |date=18 August 1970 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> and was sent to Doncaster for the [[St. Leger Stakes|St. Leger]] in September. In the one mile and six furlongs race, he was attempting to become the first horse since [[Bahram (horse)|Bahram]] 35 years earlier to complete the English [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing#English Triple Crowns|Triple Crown]]. He started the 2/7 favourite and won comfortably,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ooRWAAAAIBAJ&pg=4724,5440536&dq=nijinsky&hl=en |title=Triple feat to Nijinsky |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 September 1970 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> although his margin of victory over Meadowville was only one length. As of 2024, he is the last horse to accomplish the feat of sweeping the English Triple Crown: since 1970 only [[Reference Point (horse)|Reference Point]] (1987), [[Nashwan]] (1989), [[Sea The Stars]] (2009) and [[Camelot (horse)|Camelot]] (2012) have won two of the three races, but [[Oh So Sharp]] won the filly's version of the Triple Crown in 1985.

In his next race, Nijinsky was sent to France for the [[Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe]] at [[Longchamp Racecourse|Longchamp]] in Paris in October. Having kept Nijinsky well to the rear, at least 10 lengths back, Piggott produced him in the straight but was baulked twice before making his run on the wide outside. However, 150m from the finish Nijinsky caught front runners Miss Dan and Sassafras and took a slight lead. In the last strides, Nijinsky appeared to veer left away from Piggott's whip<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B5IuAAAAIBAJ&pg=2462,1042267&dq=nijinsky&hl=en |title=Nijinsky's unbroken string snapped in French classic |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=5 October 1970 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> and Sassafras, ridden by Yves Saint-Martin, produced a renewed effort to regain the advantage and win by a head. Many, including trainer Vincent O'Brien, felt that Piggott had lost ground on Nijinsky, drawn unfavourably on the wide outside, throughout the race, given the colt far too much ground to make up and left his challenge too late while all the while Sassafras had taken the shortest possible route.<ref>Whitney Tower [https://vault.si.com/vault/1970/10/12/one-head-that-cost-a-crown 'One head that cost a crown']. ''Sports Illustrated'', 12 October 1970. Retrieved 5 October 2025</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author=Whitney Tower |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1084221/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114120217/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1084221/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 January 2012 |title=Nijinsky's defeat after 11 straight victories raised – 10.26.70 – SI Vault |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=26 October 1970 |access-date=6 January 2012}}</ref> Piggott, who was heavily criticised by the media and racing public, said that in his opinion Nijinsky was past his peak for the year.<ref name="google1222">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FJIuAAAAIBAJ&pg=1222,5229241&dq=nijinsky&hl=en |author=Dink Carroll |title=Playing the field |work=The Gazette|location=Montreal |date=20 October 1970 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> It is beyond dispute that Nijinsky was a most unlucky loser.<ref>O'Brien, Jacqueline and Herbert, Ivor. Vincent O'Brien: The Official Biography (2005) Bantam Press {{ISBN|0-593-05474-1}}</ref> Piggott commented: "Certainly Nijinsky would have won had he not swerved almost in the shadow of the post, and certainly he would have won had his initial finishing run not been blocked on the final bend".<ref>Sean Magee, [https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/articles/1916/race-sealed-nijinskys-greatness/ 'The race that sealed Nijinsky's greatness']. Thoroughbred Racing Commentary, 8 September 2014, retrieved 15 June 2023</ref>

Less than two weeks after his first, Nijinsky ran his last race in the [[Champion Stakes]] over ten furlongs at Newmarket. Although he had been known to sweat freely before some of his previous races, Nijinsky on this occasion appeared to become particularly nervous and anxious before the start. In the race itself, he ran well below his best form and was beaten 3/4 length at odds of 4/11 by the five-year-old English horse Lorenzaccio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I-FUAAAAIBAJ&pg=1987,4233678&dq=nijinsky&hl=en |title=Nijinsky beaten |work=The Age|location=Melbourne |date=19 October 1970 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> O'Brien on this occasion concurred with Piggott, saying that Nijinsky appeared to have "lost his fire."<ref name="google1222"/> Nijinsky was retired to stand at stud at [[Claiborne Farm]] near [[Paris, Kentucky]] having been syndicated in August for $5,440,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=akQsAAAAIBAJ&pg=6030,2392646&dq=nijinsky&hl=en |title=Nijinsky will stand in Kentucky |work=Herald-Journal |date=16 August 1970 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref>

==Assessment and honours==
Nijinsky was given a rating of 138 by [[Timeform]], the second-highest for a winner of the Epsom Derby up to that time.<ref name="Timefrom">{{cite web |url=http://www.chef-de-race.com/articles/timeform_highweights.htm |title=Dosage |publisher=Chef-de-race.com |access-date=5 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522080411/http://www.chef-de-race.com/articles/timeform_highweights.htm |archive-date=22 May 2012 }}</ref> He was Timeform's Horse of the Year for 1970. Nijinsky was also voted British Horse of the Year by the Racecourse Association, gaining 38 of the 40 votes.<ref name="Guinness">{{cite book | last1 = Morris | first1 = Tony |last2=Randall|first2=John| title = Horse Racing: Records, Facts, Champions| publisher=Guinness Publishing | year = 1990| isbn = 0-85112-902-1| edition = Third }}</ref>

In 2018 Nijinsky was rated the greatest-ever Epsom Derby winner by a panel of experts assembled by the ''Daily Telegraph''.<ref>'Why Nijinsky reigns supreme as greatest champion of all'. ''Daily Telegraph'', 2 June 2018.</ref> In 2021, the ''Sporting Life'' ranked Nijinsky's Derby win no. 1, ahead of [[Sea Bird]], in their top-40 runnings of the race.<ref>[https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/the-derby-the-top-40/181408 'Ben Linfoot counts down the 40 greatest renewals of the Derby from Diamond Jubilee to Nijinsky']. ''The Sporting Life'', 31 May 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2022</ref> In their book ''A Century of Champions'', John Randall and Tony Morris rated Nijinsky as a "great" Derby winner and the best Irish racehorse of the 20th century.<ref name="century">{{cite book|last1 = Morris | first1 = Tony |last2=Randall|first2=John|title=A Century of Champions|publisher= Portway Press|year=1999|isbn=1-901570-15-0}}</ref>

Vincent O'Brien named Nijinsky and [[Sir Ivor]] as the best horses he had trained, placing Nijinsky first "for brilliance."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Horse+Racing%3A+Lester+loves+Nijinsky.-a0182109805 |title=Horse Racing: Lester loves Nijinsky. – Free Online Library |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> Lester Piggott concurred: "I think Nijinsky probably on his day was the most brilliant horse I've ever ridden".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/great-partnerships-lester-piggott-and-vincent-o-brien/193487|title = Great partnerships: Lester Piggott and Vincent O'Brien &#124; Horse Racing News &#124; Racing Post}}</ref> Piggott added later that Nijinsky, during the summer of 1970 when he won the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, was "an unbeatable horse"<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/SIK-id4V74Q Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210504103309/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIK-id4V74Q Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIK-id4V74Q| title = Lester Piggott relives Nijinsky's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes win | date = 23 July 2020 | via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Piggott was adamant, however, that running in the St Leger led to the horse not winning at Longchamps.<ref>[https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/piggott-returns-to-scene-of-nijinsky-glory-40-years-after-triple-crown-1961246 'Piggott returns to scene of Nijinsky glory 40 years after Triple Crown']. ''Yorkshire Evening Post'', 8 September 2010, retrieved 15 June 2023</ref>

In 1970, a film was made about his racing career entitled ''A Horse Called Nijinsky''. Narrated by [[Orson Welles]], it was released in British cinemas and in 1988 released on [[VHS|VHS video]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430194/|title=A Horse Called Nijinsky|date=12 June 1970|publisher=IMDb}}</ref> The Nijinsky team also was voted winners of the 1970 [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year Team Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/spoty_teams.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061221020401/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/keyfacts/stories/spoty_teams.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 December 2006 |title=Press Office – Sports Personality of the Year: team winners key facts |publisher=BBC |date=10 February 2004 |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref> Among the more unusual tributes, a [[Cabernet Sauvignon]] wine<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wineonline.ie/cgi-local/browse.pl?view_wine=916 |title=L'Esprit de Nijinsky |publisher=Wineonline.ie |access-date=5 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016060536/http://www.wineonline.ie/cgi-local/browse.pl?view_wine=916 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a variety of [[winter wheat]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.limagrain.co.uk/news/52/index.phtml |title=Two New Outstanding Nickerson Wheat Varieties Added to the Hgca List! At Limagrain |publisher=Limagrain.co.uk |date=1 December 2003 |access-date=5 January 2012 |archive-date=24 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624085345/http://www.limagrain.co.uk/news/52/index.phtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> have been named in Nijinsky's honour. Bronze statues of him stand at [[Ballydoyle]] and at The Curragh racecourse.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/9544188/Aidan-OBrien-and-Camelot-ready-for-their-race-into-the-history-books-by-completing-Triple-Crown-with-St-Leger.html|title=Aidan O'Brien and Camelot ready for their race into the history books by completing Triple Crown with St Leger|first=Paul|last=Hayward|date=14 September 2012|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}</ref>

==Stud record==
Having been sent to stand at stud in the United States, Nijinsky was registered there as Nijinsky II.<ref name="pastthewire">[https://pastthewire.com/stallion-dynasties-nijinsky/ 'Stallion Dynasties: Nijinsky']. Past the Wire, 20 August 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2022</ref>

The horse was an excellent sire. He sired 155 [[graded stakes race|Stakes/Group]] winners (18.1% of 862 total foals)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportingpost.co.za/breeding/sarah-whitelaw-nijinsky-11-triple-crown-winners-influence-lives-on/ | title=Triple Crown Winner's Influence Lives on | work=Sporting Post | date=17 August 2016 }}</ref> and 519 individual winners (60.2%),<ref>{{cite web | url=http://thoroughbredancestry.com/nijinsky-triple-crown-champion/ | title=Nijinsky: Triple Crown Champion – | date=3 March 2015 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> ranging over the full range of distances at which he excelled as a racehorse. He is the only sire to have a winner of the [[Kentucky Derby|Kentucky]] and Epsom Derbies in the same year (1986). The horse was champion sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 1986 and champion broodmare sire in the United States in 1993 and 1994.<ref>[https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/nijinsky-influence-burns-bright-fifty-years-on/ 'Nijinsky Influence Burns Bright Fifty Years On']. Thoroughbred Daily News, 26 December 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2022</ref>

His notable progeny included:
* [[Caucasus (horse)|Caucasus]] – winner of 1975 [[Irish St Leger]] and later three Grade 1 races in America
* [[Caerleon II|Caerleon]] – Three-Year-Old Champion Colt in France, won the Group One [[Prix du Jockey Club]] and [[International Stakes]], [[Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland]] (1988, 1991); sire of [[Generous (horse)|Generous]]
* [[Dancing Spree]] – won 1989 [[Breeders' Cup Sprint]], [[Suburban Handicap]], [[Carter Handicap]], [[True North Handicap]], [[Churchill Downs Handicap]], [[Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship]]
* [[De La Rose]] – Champion US filly (Eclipse Award), 1981
* [[Ferdinand (horse)|Ferdinand]] – 1986 [[Kentucky Derby]] & 1987 [[Breeders' Cup Classic]], [[Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year|United States Horse of the Year]]
* [[Golden Fleece (horse)|Golden Fleece]] – won 1982 [[Epsom Derby]], undefeated Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in England & Ireland
* [[Green Dancer]] – won 1974 [[Racing Post Trophy|Futurity Stakes]], 1975 [[Prix Lupin]], [[Poule d'Essai des Poulains]], [[Leading sire in France]] in 1991
* [[Ile de Bourbon]] – won 1978 [[King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes]]
* [[Kings Lake (horse)|Kings Lake]] – won 1981 [[Irish 2000 Guineas]], [[Sussex Stakes]] and [[Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes]]
* [[Lammtarra]] – undefeated, won 1995 [[Epsom Derby]], [[King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes]] and [[Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe]]
* Maplejinsky – winner of [[Monmouth Oaks]] and [[Alabama Stakes]], dam of [[American Triple Tiara of Thoroughbred Racing]] (US fillies' Triple Crown) winner [[Sky Beauty]]
* [[Maruzensky]] – undefeated, [[Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame]]
* [[Niniski]] – won 1979 [[Irish St Leger]], [[Prix Royal Oak]]
* Princesse Lida, Champion French 2 year old filly
* [[Quiet Fling]] – won 1976 [[Coronation Cup]]
* [[Royal Academy (horse)|Royal Academy]] – won [[July Cup]] and [[Breeders' Cup Turf Mile|Breeders' Cup Mile]], sired [[Bullish Luck]], [[Val Royal]], and [[Bel Esprit]], sire of [[Black Caviar]]
* [[Seattle Dancer]] – in 1985 the [[List of most expensive Thoroughbred colts sold at auction|world's most expensive yearling]], selling for US$13.1 million<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/24/sports/nijinsky-ii-yearling-brings-13.1-million.html |title=Nijinsky II Yearling Brings $13.1 Million |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=24 July 1985}}</ref>
* [[Shadeed]] – won 1985 [[2,000 Guineas Stakes|2,000 Guineas]], sired [[Alydeed]]
* [[Shahrastani (horse)|Shahrastani]] – won 1986 [[Epsom Derby]], [[Irish Derby Stakes|Irish Derby]]
* [[Sky Classic]] – [[Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame]], [[Eclipse Award|US Eclipse Award winner]]
* [[Solford]] – winner of the 1983 [[Eclipse Stakes]]
* Whiskey Road – sire of [[Strawberry Road]]

Nijinsky was a favourite of Queen [[Elizabeth II]] and she visited him as often as possible at Claiborne Stud.<ref>[https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/63261569751571829/ 'Queen Elizabeth visiting Nijinsky']. The Tony Leonard Collection, undated. Retrieved 26 April 2022</ref>

Nijinsky was euthanised in April 1992 as a result of "the infirmities of old age"<ref name="pastthewire"/> after suffering from [[laminitis]] since 1985.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF8E7859C078AB&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Nijinsky II made his mark |newspaper=Star Telegram |date=16 April 1992 |access-date=5 January 2012 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016033043/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF8E7859C078AB&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=dead }}</ref> He is buried at [[Claiborne Farm]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Graves/cem/GraveMattersClaiborne.html |title=Grave Matters Claiborne Farm |publisher=Tbheritage.com |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref>

{{See also|Northern Dancer sire line}}

==Pedigree==
{{Pedigree
|name = Nijinsky (CAN), bay stallion, 1967<ref name="chef-de-race1"/>
|f = [[Northern Dancer]] (CAN)<br /> 1961
|m = [[Flaming Page]] (CAN) <br /> 1959
|ff = [[Nearctic (horse)|Nearctic]] (CAN)<br /> 1954
|fm = [[Natalma]] (USA) <br /> 1957
|mf = [[Bull Page]] (USA) <br /> 1947
|mm = Flaring Top (USA) <br /> 1947
|fff = [[Nearco]]
|ffm = [[Lady Angela]]
|fmf = [[Native Dancer]]
|fmm = [[Almahmoud]]
|mff = [[Bull Lea]]
|mfm = Our Page
|mmf = [[Menow]]
|mmm = Flaming Top
|ffff = [[Pharos (horse)|Pharos]]
|fffm = [[Nogara (horse)|Nogara]]
|ffmf = [[Hyperion (horse)|Hyperion]]
|ffmm = Sister Sarah
|fmff = [[Polynesian (horse)|Polynesian]]
|fmfm = Geisha
|fmmf = [[Mahmoud (horse)|Mahmoud]]
|fmmm = Arbitrator
|mfff = [[Bull Dog (horse)|Bull Dog]]
|mffm = Rose Leaves
|mfmf = [[Blue Larkspur]]
|mfmm = Occult
|mmff = [[Pharamond (horse)|Pharamond II]]
|mmfm = [[Alcibiades (horse)|Alcibiades]]
|mmmf = [[Omaha (horse)|Omaha]]
|mmmm = Firetop (Family:8f)<ref>{{cite web|author=Patricia Erigero Thoroughbred Heritage |url=http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricDams/EngFoundationMares/Family8/Family8.html |title=8 Bustler Mare |publisher=Tbheritage.com |access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref>
|}}

==See also==
* [[List of racehorses]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

* Sampson, Lesley I. ''Nijinsky: Blue Riband Sire'' (1985) J.A. Allen & Co Ltd {{ISBN|0-85131-411-2}}

{{2000 Guineas winners}}
{{Epsom Derby Winners}}
{{King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Winners}}
{{St Leger Winners}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nijinsky Ii}}
[[Category:1967 racehorse births]]
[[Category:1992 racehorse deaths]]
[[Category:Racehorses bred in Ontario]]
[[Category:Racehorses trained in Ireland]]
[[Category:Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing winners]]
[[Category:European Thoroughbred Horse of the Year]]
[[Category:United States Champion Thoroughbred Sires]]
[[Category:American Champion Thoroughbred broodmare sires]]
[[Category:British Champion Thoroughbred Sires]]
[[Category:Irish Classic Race winners]]
[[Category:Thoroughbred family 8-f]]
[[Category:Chefs-de-Race]]
[[Category:Epsom Derby winners]]
[[Category:2000 Guineas winners]]
[[Category:St Leger winners]]
[[Category:King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners]]