Looking at the stars

 

 

 

London is still flushed with the glory of The Olympics and the Paralympics. The dreams, hope and courage of all who took part and the crowds who supported them and cheered them on - WIN or LOSE.  To take part was enough, it was far more than any of us will ever accomplish and their efforts elicited appreciation and awe from us instead of jealousy and spite.

In contrast, horseracing often seems to exist in some grubby bloodstained pit, like cock fighting. The public in general do not apply the same reverence to the horses or to the jockeys which is given to other athletes.

We first came across the name of Camelot on a list of Ballydoyle horses who would go into training and marked him as one to follow. Names are auspicious and the tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the round table were a childhood favourite of ours. This one had to be good - no,  great, and he is.

Camelot did not put a hoof wrong in his career, as a 2 year old he did everything expected of a future Derby contender. As a 3 year old he did more, he won the Guineas which few Derby winners manage, and then he won both the Derby and The Irish Derby with ease.


His options were many.

He could have taken in the King George, the Arc, Champions Day against Frankel ..... but instead his connections honoured the ancient tradition of going to Doncaster for the St Leger. It was a brave and sporting decision.

The truth is that Fate does not often reward the brave. And the fickle public don't either. It is a shame that people cannot celebrate those who dare, and prefer to run them down instead.

We applaud those who turned out on Town Moor to see Camelot and to be a part of history. It may never happen again, especially as so many seem to be happy that he was beaten.







Today the Racing Post have run Joseph O'Brien's story of what happened at Doncaster and his thoughts on how the St Leger may have gone wrong for Camelot. He thinks another horse clipped his heels, which lit him up a bit and would explain why he rushed along and then did not quicken with his usual fluency.  It was heartening to hear how Ireland welcomed home their defeated heroes when Aidan and Joseph came to The Curragh later that same day for the Irish St Leger. It was really not a good day for Ballydoyle as Fame and Glory challenged from the word go but faded in the last stages of the race. Please note: for the record he was not ridden by young Joseph.

The Racing Post facebook page, and the online Racing Post is littered with the theories of armchair jockeys, quick to blame the jockey, and defame the horse who they now declare is not even very good. It sickens to see the way that mankind behaves. Is it jealousy? Is it the English / Irish thing rearing it's ugly head? Is it the amount of money lost on Camelot by those who live for the vacarious thrill of risking it all, (well money anyway) on a horse race?

Why does mankind have this urge to seek out bright things, put them on a pedestal and then throw rocks at them?

These people know no reason, the logic is not there, and they know it so they spout nonsense (over and over like a broken record) which is easily refuted. The cult of celebrity is an ugly one.

Why is it that when racing most needs young jockeys some of the public only want to destroy one who fits the bill?

While it is completely true that had he not been the son of Aidan O'Brien he probably would not have been given the chance to ride Ballydoyle horses, it is also completely wrong to assume that this is the only reason he is onboard.  It must be worth something that Lester Piggot, the jockey whose record has never been bettered, and who rode the last Triple Crown winner Nijinsky for Ballydoyle is a fan of Joseph and that their riding style has been favourably compared.

It is also wrong to assume that he only wins because he is riding great horses. There are many who get it wrong aboard similarly blessed animals. It cannot be just luck or coincidence that Joseph has won 2 English Classics, 2 Irish Classics and a Breeders Cup. His ride on Camelot in the Derby is one of the best we've ever seen, cool, calm and brave when it mattered.

As an owner we have seen how using a jockey who is familiar with the horse can be better than using one who has never ridden the animal before and for whom the horse is just one of 6 that day. Someone who rides work on the horses, sees them often and learns their characters can have an advantage on the day. And it is unlikely that they will jock themselves off for a better ride, a bigger paycheck or a retainer. That Coolmore have chosen Joseph should be enough. He is their horse after all.

It's a funny thing how the word 'fairytale' has come to mean something with a happy ending, something we wish for that comes true. In reality fairytales usually had a tragic ending with a moral for us mere mortals to heed. Those who dare do not always win, those who fly too close to the sun can get burnt. But every once in awhile we do win, and that is what keep some of us wishing.

Big owners are constantly criticised for not keeping their star horses in training longer, for not running them more often and for not telling the public what they are going to do with the horses. When you see how those who do take a chance, do go for hard targets and do keep older horses in training are punished by the public the first time they lose (and let us fervently pray that Frankel never gets beaten) you realise how it is that racehorses who could have a brilliant career for another year are retired and put at stud where the public have little interest and absolutely no say in how they are handled.

Life is short, we need to dream, we need to enjoy and most of all we need to celebrate those amongst us who light up the racetracks and our lives. Would it hurt us to just once in awhile put aside our petty squabbling and show some appreciation?

The more that we know of humans the more that we prefer horses.

The name Camelot will always be associated with legends and kingdoms that failed, King Arthur's, Kennedy's and now Ballydoyle's. But it is also such stuff as dreams are made on, and shines as inspiration down through history. Let us hope that the courage of Camelot and his connections inspires rather than puts off future attempts to win that Holy Grail of the flat, The Triple Crown. For sure it is much better to win and endure than to fail and withdraw, however overall it is still better to try than not. Sometimes that is all that we can do.

Credits:


Oscar Wilde image from Marian16rox on Tumblr


The Racing Post

The Book of Merlyn by T.H. White

Of Kings, Crowns, Knights, Heroes and Camelot

King Arthur wearing his Triple Crown

Don't let it be forgot

 

That once there was a spot

 

For one brief shining moment

 

That was known as Camelot!

 

Tomorrow something unbelievable is happening at Doncaster in the oldest almost forgotten Classic race, the St Leger. It is something that we had dreamed of, and even hoped for, but never dared to believe in. The winner of The Derby and The Guineas will be laying his reputation on the line, literally, as participation in this race has come to mean the ruin of champions on the track and at stud.

We got our hopes up last season that Sea The Stars might throw caution to the winds and take part. Those hopes were dashed, like so many before them, when he went to Paris and the Arc instead. No one could blame them, it made financial sense, both on the track and at stud. And it's not just the problem of champions not running in the St Leger which scuppers anything winning a Triple Crown. Before they can they must have taken the 2000 Guineas and the Derby. Since Nijinsky in 1970 only two horses have done that, Nashwan in 1989 and Sea the Stars in 2009. With a very heavy sigh we put away our hopes and dreams of a Triple Crown and sadly resolved that it would never be.

But then there was that young colt at Ballydoyle. Ah yes .... Ballydoyle and Coolmore, fabled places, the stuff of legends. More than a few Kings had come from there and conquered. They didn't just have a way with horses they were word smiths too. The naming of their horses was a mystical process carried out with consumate skill. Words have the ability to transport us, to thrill and to inspire. The well named often rise to their legacy.

Camelot is the horse we've been waiting for. 

To dream a Triple Crown has been the impossible dream. No one even DARED.

The legend of Camelot

It sounds too simple, and perhaps it will prove to be so, but as soon as we saw the name and the breeding our hearts skipped a beat and we began to dream. How poignant has his success been when his magnificent sire Montjeu has left us? This was a horse who lured us to attend the King George just to see him in the flesh. It was so crowded it was nearly impossible to do so, and yet it remains one of our most treasured racing moments ever. 



Horse racing is the most romantic of sports. The silks worn by the jockey are so named after the pennants which Knights carried to battle to represent for whom they fought and honoured. Camelot and young Joseph carry the colours of Derrick Smith whose fondest wish was to win the Epsom Derby and who had been second in the race 4 times before Camelot gave him the prize. 

It can often seem that racing is made up of those who bet, and little else. Thanksfully there is more to it than that. It's history is a richly woven tapestry, embroidered with the names of heroes, foot soldiers, warriors and Kings. Some in racing are bored with the large yards and owners winning the big prizes. And yet were it not for them we would never have these horses to thrill us. It's nice for little owners to have their day as well, (and we have personally been there cheering ours on) but not for nothing is horseracing called, 'The Sport of Kings'. Ballydoyle, Derek Smith, Coolmore and the Magnier partnerships must seem to have it all and so why would they deserve to win The Triple Crown?

For us it is again, so simple. Because they dared to try! With all they stand to lose, they still tried. But win or lose, whatever happens nothing can ever take away the dream which they have kept alive and which they had the courage to follow.
 

Just to try has meant the world to those of us who love the history of horseracing, the St Leger, and the legend of Camelot.

We wish them victory.  

Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

Sir Galahad finds the Grail

What they said: John Magnier to the press

“He must be right there among the best,” said Magnier, the brains behind the operation which also won last year’s Derby with the French trained Pour Moi. “His win is very important coming in the year that his sire, Montjeu, died. We’ll take it race by race and give it a lot of thought. Wouldn’t anybody want to win the Triple Crown though? We’re so old these things mean more now – had you asked me 30 years ago I might have turned away.”

 

The St Leger trophy 2007 created by Chris Knight,
Owen Waterhouse and Sarah Denny

There is no trophy for The Triple Crown, of course those who do win it will have their mantle a little crowded with a Guineas, Derby and St Leger trophy. But should there not be something to commemorate The Triple Crown?

Maybe not, perhaps it's best as it is, a kind of Holy Grail. Dreamed of, seldom seen. Not tangible.

The Holy Grail by Arthur Rackham

In Christian mythology, the Holy Grail was the dish, plate, cup or vessel that caught Jesus’ blood during his crucifixion. It was said to have the power to heal all wounds. A theme joined to the Christianised Arthurian myths relates to the quest for the Holy Grail. Christian revisionists insist that the Holy Grail is not to be confused with the Holy Chalice, the vessel which Jesus used at the Last Supper to serve the wine; various vessels have been put forward as the Last Supper chalice. Other legends featured magical platters or dishes that symbolize super power or test the hero’s worth. Sometimes the items generate a never-ending supply of food, sometimes they can raise the dead. Sometimes they decide who the next king should be, as only the true sovereign could hold them.Old French, san grial means “Holy Grail” and sang rial means “royal blood”. Since then, Sangreal is sometimes employed to lend a medieval air in referring to the Holy Grail.
 

 

 

Camelot on wikipedia

 Coolmore Stud Ireland

Doncaster Racecourse

LEGENDS - Nijinsky The God of Dance

Nijinsky, Lester and Vincent O'Brien
Photographer unknown

Northen Dancer - Flaming Page

Foaled 1967 Bay Horse Deceased 1992

Runs: 13 Wins: 11 Places: 2 Earned: $677,177

Form: 1111 - 111111122

Timeform Rating: 140

15th Ever Triple Crown Winner

Champion 2yo 1969

 

Won

Railway Stakes 1969

Beresford Stakes 1969

Angeles Stakes 1969

Dewhurst Stakes 1969

Gladness Stakes 1970

English 2000 Guineas 1970

English Derby 1970

Irish Derby 1970

King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes 1970

 

 

Nijinsky the dancer and Nijinsky the horse danced to music that us mortals could not hear,
 but only wonder at.

 

On Saturday Camelot and Joseph O'Brien will attempt to do what no horse and rider have done since Nijinsky and Lester, in 1970, 42 years ago. To ready ourselves for the present we need to return to the past for that glorious day when they achieved greatness.

Nijinsky and Lester Piggot

We should really go back to Tesio the Italian genius and Nearco the colt he bred. But that would take forever. To simplify things in a few sentences, the tale of Nijinsky began with two men who knew what they wanted. They had vision,  they had courage and they believed in themselves.  Together they realised their dreams.

EP Taylor, a Canadian who was disappointed that no great horses came from Canada so he bred one at his Windfields Farm from the best English Thoroughbred stock he could buy,  and Vincent O'Brien, an Irish trainer who was looking for something really special and knew what he was looking at when he found it. Northern Dancer, the colt that EP Taylor bred and named so well would found the dynasty that Vincent O'Brien would make a legend of when  he bought the bay colt from his second crop of foals for Charles Engelhard.  It was Jane, Engelhard's wife who named the colt after the dancer Nijinsky. Later Robert Sangster would breed Sadler's Wells, the next generation, and the marvelous little chestnut The Minstrel would win his Derby too, but those are stories for another rainy day. 

Northern Dancer - where it all began.
Photographer unknown.

One of the most outstanding and mysterious ballet stars of the 20th century was Vatslav Fomich Nizhinsky (born March 12 1890 in Kiev, died April 8, 1950, London). Audiences had not seen his like before. It was said that all who saw him fell in love with his androgenous looks. He dressed like a rock star, his costumes outrageously draped and showing a lot of flesh. He was sensuous, moved like a dream and his giant leaps caused crowds to gasp at his performances. He was highly strung, brought great sensitivity to his roles and there was something about him which made people think that at any moment he might go off like a firecracker. 

Nijinsky collage

 

Before him male dancers were not really accepted, he gave ballet sex appeal and lent it a glamour and a dangerous air.

It seemed easy for him as if he were meeting a Destiny, long ago designed just for him to fulfill. He had grown up in the wings. His parents were both reknowned dancers,  his father too had thrilled crowds with his leaps and great ability. When Vatslav was a child his parents had performed throughout the Russian Empire with their own dance company.

Nijinsky attended the Imperial School of Dancing in St. Petersburg at the age of 8, already an accomplished dancer. By the age of 16 his teachers were recommending that he graduate and begin his professional career at the Mariinsky Theatre. Even at this tender age he had established a reputation.

The Encyclopedia Britanica says, "He had been heralded as the “eighth wonder of the world” and the “Vestris of the North” (in reference to Auguste Vestris, a famous French dancer of the 18th century). During his school years he appeared at the Mariinsky Theatre, first as a member of the corps de ballet, later in small parts. He danced in St. Petersburg before the Tsar at the Chinese Theatre of Tsarskoe Selo and the Hermitage Theatre of the Winter Palace."

"Nijinsky was graduated in the spring of 1907 and on July 14, 1907, joined the Mariinsky Theatre as a soloist. His first appearance was in the ballet La Source with the Russian ballerina Julia Sedova as his partner; the public and the ballet critics burst out immediately in wild enthusiasm. Among his Mariinsky partners were three great ballerinas, Mathilde Kschessinskaya, Anna Pavlovna Pavlova, and Tamara Platonovna Karsavina. As danseur noble, he danced the leading parts in many ballets, including Ivanotschka, Giselle, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and Chopiniana. From 1907 to 1911 Nijinsky danced all of the leading parts at the Mariinsky Theatre and at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, where he was a guest performer. His success was phenomenal.

In 1909 Sergey Diaghilev, former assistant to the administrator of the Imperial Theatres, was commissioned by the drand duke Vladimir to organize a ballet company of the members of the Mariinsky and Bolshoi theatres. Diaghilev decided to take the company to Paris in the spring and asked Nijinsky to join as principal dancer. Its first performance was on May 17, 1909, at the Théâtre du Châtelet. Nijinsky took Paris by storm. The expression and beauty of his body, his featherweight lightness and steel-like strength, his great elevation and incredible gift of rising and seeming to remain in the air, and his extraordinary virtuosity and dramatic acting made him a genius of the ballet. From 1907 to 1912 he worked with the company’s choreographer, Michel Fokine. With his phenomenal talent for characterization, he created some of his most renowned roles in Fokine’s Le Carnaval, Les Sylphides (a revision of Chopiniana), Le Spectre de la rose, Schéhérazade, Petrushka, Le Dieu bleu, Daphnis et Chloé, and Narcisse. His later ballets were Mephisto Valse, Variations on the Music of Johann Sebastian Bach, Les Papillons de nuit, and The Minstrel. Until 1917 Nijinsky appeared all over Europe, in the United States, and in South America. He was called 'le dieu de la danse'."

'le dieu de la danse'. is translated as The God of dance'. In '20th Century Ballet Revolution' The Victoria and Albert Museum say this about him:

"Vaslav Nijinsky caused a sensation from his first public performance at the Maryinsky Theatre in St Petersburg in 1907.

He became part of Diaghilev’s circle and his lover. In 1909 he travelled to Paris with the Diaghilev company. On the first night he danced the Favourite Slave in Fokine’s ballet Le Pavillon d’Armide. He was so excited by the audience’s enthusiasm that at the end of his solo he jumped off stage and was still travelling upwards as he reached the wings. The audience went mad.

He became the darling of French society – and the slave’s black choker became the height of fashion. He was feted like a rock star and his dresser used to sell petals from his costume in Le Spectre de la Rose to his fans."

We will leave the great dancer now and return to our Thoroughbred, but you can see how it was that Nijinsky the horse shared many attributes with Nijinsky the dancer. The nervous energy which electrified those who saw him, the grace and great beauty, a talent superior to normal mortals and his courage in defeat. Nijinsky the dancer and Nijinsky the horse danced to music that us mortals could not hear but only wonder at.

Earlier this year Abigail Anderson published an in depth look at the whole story of Nijinsky (known as Nijinsky II in America when he retired to stud there due to another horse having been registered under that name) on her blog The Vault. She entitled it 'Nijinsky, who wore a heart on his brow'.

In it she touches upon how Vatslav Nijinsky said he would return as a horse.

"on his deathbed, had declared that he would return one day as a horse. Perhaps there was some truth to the dancer’s prediction because his equine namesake would prove to be as mysterious and mercurial a character. Lester Piggott, the great British jockey, said of Nijinsky, whom he rated with Sir Ivor as one of the two best horses he ever rode, “He wouldn’t talk to me. He never talked to me. Nijinsky had that far-off look in his eye from the first time I saw him….it was like he was looking right through you.”

Brian O'Connor writes in the Irish Times, 10 September 2012

Camelot's Triple Crown shot the stuff of romance
 
"... there is one name that even now epitomises the popular image of we expect a great thoroughbred to be. And it’s not Red Rum, Desert Orchid, Arkle, or any of the legendary jumpers that resonate outside of racing’s parish. It is Nijinsky, the highly strung yet physically magnificent specimen that combined fragility with a hauteur that could make even the most powerful human feel just that little bit more insignificant.
 
Of course the back story helped. Vaslav Nijinsky was a schizophrenic Russian who considered himself Polish, spent years in and out of psychiatric hospitals, and who for a few years leading up to the Great War, was also considered the most exciting ballet dancer the world had ever seen.
Those who saw him marvelled at the style, grace and hint of dangerous unpredictability that later seemed to chime perfectly with his deathbed prediction he would be reincarnated as a thoroughbred racehorse. It also helped that for much of his career, Nijinsky II was all but unbeatable. This week, 42 years ago, he completed the English Triple Crown of 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger, the first in 35 years, just the seventh in the 20th century.
 
It sealed his legend, defined Nijinsky as the last “Triple Crown Champion,” a tag worthy of his name. Even a pair of defeats in his last two races couldn’t knock his status and he remains an almost mythical figure, still the most evocative name to emerge from Vincent O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stables."

The Irish Times

Like Vatslav Nijinsky the equine Nijinsky was born from two champions, his sire Northern Dancer and his dam Flaming Page (Canadian Oaks and Queen’s Plate winner, 2nd in the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs) both bred by EP Taylor.

His career has been covered by so many people we are not going to do it all again, but if you do not know it you should read about him. He was so difficult to train, it was remarkable that the horse ever made it to a racetrack and had it not ben for the supreme talent of those who trained, handled and rode him the magic we remember him for would never have been made. Even on the page of an old dusty book his presence still springs forth clear and bright - so very bright.  It is enough that 42 years ago this month he and Lester won the Triple Crown and before them the last had been Bahram in 1935.

At that point had he retired he may have been the Horse of the Century instead of Brigadier Gerrard and The Triple Crown history may have been quite different. Instead Nijinsky raced on, and was beaten into second place on both his subsequent starts. His head defeat in the Arc especially was blamed upon his St Leger win and the length of that race, which had once been seen as the final test for the 3 year old Thoroughbred,  forever became associated with defeat. Defeat in later races and worst of all defeat at stud, even though Nijinsky was successful there. We will never know for sure, but in reality it is very likely that what finally defeated the great champion was the case of ringworm which he had between his King George and St Leger. Vincent said that it had been so bad that the horse was nearly bald all over his body.  Although not discernable at the St Leger he was probably still feeling the effects of the illness. He had done so much as a 3 year old, answered every call with ease. It was heartbreaking to see him beaten, especially by inferior horses. The crowd at Paris cruelly booed him, but his fans wept.

It was a blemish upon his memory for Nijinsky had always been described in glowing terms by all who knew him, or even saw him. Vincent O'Brien chose him over all the horses he viewed for sale and Lester Piggot, not know for sentimentality said in 'Vincent O'Brien's Great Horses, " I think Nijinsky probably on his day was the most brilliant horse I've ever ridden. On a few days in the summertime as a 3 year old ...." .

Nijinsky and Lester, Mirror Photos

 John Randall said in The Racing Post:

"Nijinsky's Arc defeat marked a big step in the decline of the St Leger, for many concluded that running in the final Classic had damaged his chance of winning Europe's richest race.

Some subsequent St Leger runners have shone in the Arc, notably another great O'Brien champion, Alleged. Nevertheless, since 1970 only Nashwan (1989) and Sea The Stars (2009) have won both the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby, and neither ran in the St Leger.

Traditionalists were outraged when Nashwan was denied the chance to complete the Triple Crown. The Prix Niel was chosen as a more suitable Arc prep, but the colt suffered his only defeat in it and never ran again.

In the next 20 years the decline in both the prestige of the St Leger and the historical significance of the Triple Crown meant that the final Classic was never on Sea The Stars' agenda. He won the Irish Champion Stakes instead, en route to becoming Nijinsky's only rival for the title ‘Ireland's greatest Flat champion'. "

The article in The Observer upon his Triple Crown victory, reprinted in 2002.

"An Observer Classic 

Nijinsky completes the Triple Crown

Already victorious in the 2000 Guineas and the Derby, Nijinsky's St Leger win on 13 September 1970 secured his place in racing history

Richard Baerlein
Sunday 1 September 2002
Observer Sport Monthly

American owner Charles Engelhard had the satisfaction of seeing his colt Nijinsky become the first Triple Crown winner since the mighty Barham in 1935, when he won the St Leger at Doncaster yesterday without ever appearing ever to be called upon to get into top gear by his rider, Lester Piggott. It was an electrifying display.

Eased near the finish and always galloping with his ears pricked, Nijinsky finished half a length in front of Meadowville; with Politico half a length farther away third. Then came Charlton, Melody Rock and Rarity.It was the first time Nijinsky had not sweated up in the paddock or on the way to the post. Vincent O'Brien put his more relaxed attitude down to experience and knowing full well what he was expected to do. There were some anxious moments in the previous race when Lester Piggott, carrying the same colours on the 3-1 on Leander, parted company with his mount early in the race owing to the saddle slipping. Lester came back unharmed.

Johnnie Seagrave rode Meadowville with the intention of finishing second to Nijinsky, so when the field settled down properly, Nijinsky was last but one with Meadowville last. Once in line for home, Nijinsky could be seen making his way through the field with his rider sitting perfectly still and the horse not galloping at full stretch.So they continued until Nijinsky had gone two lengths clear inside the distance. Then Piggott began to pull him up and so the time of five seconds outside the record was not bad, especially as the going was not fast.As in all his previous races in which Lester has ridden him, the champion jockey was satisfied and thrilled with the performance of his mount, and so was trainer O'Brien.

The like of Nijinsky may never seen again, but with satisfactory ground conditions he will have at least two more outings. The next engagement will be the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and then possibly the Washington International. It was his 11th victory and his winnings are now nearly £240,000.

He is the eighth horse this century to complete the Triple Crown, but three of these were during the First World War when racing was at Newmarket and they cannot count. It was the fourth St Leger for Mr Engelhard in seven years, his previous winners being Ribero, Ribocco and Indiana. It was the second success for O'Brien, who won with Ballymoss in 1957, and a fifth Leger victory for Piggott. It was indeed great for the racing world to have a Triple Crown winner after such a long time, and we may never see another.

In finishing second, Meadowville confirmed his conistency, for he had finished second to Nijinsky in the Irish Sweeps Derby. It is bad luck on him to be born in such a year, but he has collected plenty of prizemoney and will have no Nijinsky in opposition next year.O'Brien deserves the highest praise not only for keeping Nijinsky up to his brilliant form throughout the season, but also for improving him as the season advanced.

Despite his brilliance Nijinsky never won again. He lost by a head to Sassafras in Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp three weeks later, and finished second again in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket two weeks after his Arc defeat. He was retired to stud shortly afterwards."


The article as it appeared in the Observer
 

At stud at Claiborne Farm he sired 155 stakes race winners and he is the only horse in history to sire a winner of both the Kentucky Derby (Ferdinand)  and the Epsom Derby (Shahrastani) in the same year, (1986).

A motion picture narrated by Orson Welles  and titled "A Horse Called Nijinsky" had a theatrical release in 1972 and was made available on video in 1988.

His orbituary in The New York Times

"HORSE RACING; Nijinsky II Destroyed at Claiborne Farm

Reuters
Published: April 16, 1992
 

Nijinsky II, the last horse to win the English Triple Crown and one of thoroughbred racing's brilliant stallions, was destroyed today at Claiborne Farm.

The 25-year son of Northern Dancer, out of the mare Flaming Page, had been troubled with chronic leg problems. Walter Kaufmann, a veterinarian, had Nijinsky II destroyed after the horse experienced discomfort the last few days
.
Seth Hancock, the farm's owner, said, "We regret to advise that it was necessary to euthanize Nijinsky this morning, due to the infirmities of old age." Won 11 of 13 Starts
Nijinsky II was owned by a syndicate. His whole body -- rather than the traditional head, heart and hooves -- was buried in the farm's horse cemetery between Riva Ridge and Secretariat. He won 11 of 13 starts, finishing second in two other races, and earned an equivalent of $677,118 in American dollars.

Nijinsky II did all his racing in Europe, where as a sensational 3-year-old in 1970 he won the English 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the St. Leger Stakes to complete the triple. The previous year, trained in Ireland by Vincent O'Brien and ridden by Lester Piggott, Nijinsky II won all five of his starts as a juvenile, finishing with the Dewhurst Stakes, to be crowned champion of 1969".

Recommended reading:


Brilliant piece on Nijinsky at The Vault

Nijinsky at wikipedia

Victoria and Albert Museum website article

Vincent O'Brien's Great Horses by Ivor Herbert and Jacqueline O'Brien

Thoroughbred Stallions by Tony Morris

Vincent O'Brien: The Official Biography by Jacqueline O'Brien and Ivor Herbert (21 Oct 2005)

Nijinsky by Lesley Sampson (Oct 1985)

 

 

Monsun - Farewell to a great sire

MONSUN
Konigsstuhl (GER)  (10.5f) — Mosella (GER) (Surumu (GER)  (10.8f))
Trainer H Jentzsch H Jentzsch until 29 May 1994
Owner Baron G Von Ullmann
Breeder Gestut Isarland

Flat placings 11211/1632212/1615/

Rules Races:  16 wins; 8 second places; 4 third places;  1 fourth place  
Total prize money:  £692,955
Retired from racing as a 3 year old in August 1995.

Leading sire in Germany in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006.


We read with sorrow this morning of the passing of the great German sire Monsun at the age of 23.

He was foaled in a year that began a golden era for Germn breeding and he had it all, talent, beauty, intelligence and most of all, courage. It was no surprise that when he retired to stud he got outstanding offspring. Both German breeding and racing have lost a giant of a horse. This loss will be felt by all of us who love the Thoroughbred racehorse.

Monsun on the track, photo from Turf Times, link below

Turf Times Facebook page

We never saw him race and only became aware of his offspring years after he had already been successful at stud. And yet, were it not for Sadler's Wells claiming all of our heart Monsun would have been our all time favourite sire. As it is he will always be the closest of rivals.

Monsun was bred by Gestüt Isarland and was foaled in 1990. He was owned by Baron Georg von Ullmann and trained by Heinz Jentzsch. He lost out in the Deutsches Derby by just 2 lengths to another German bred star Lando, but during his career he won three German Group 1 races over middle distances. 

He made one appearance in Britain, on 03 Jun 1994 ridden by Pat Eddery he ran in the Grp1 Coronation Cup at Epsom. The ground was good to firm, he preferred softer and when he finished only 6th it was thought that he did not handle the course. It's an interesting point that the race was won by Apple Tree trained by Andre Fabre. Apple Tree went on be the sire of the Martin/David Pipe trained star Lough Derg! Back in the field was the outstanding filly Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Urban Sea the future dam of the immortals Galileo and Sea The Stars. It was her final race before she went to stud.

We had become acquainted with Monsun through the siting of several tall dark and handsome horses we admired at racetracks. Checking the racecard we began to see that Monsun often had a type of horse he sired. Very well built and amazingly good looking. Brave, tough, staying power with a turn of foot too.

This year Royal Ascot was lit up with victories by two of the old horse's offspring,  the Queen's Vase winner Estimate and Tercentenary Stakes winner Energizer. He was also damsire to Colour Vision the The Gold Cup winner.

I grew up near the dusty dirt tracks of California, tales of Big Red and his illustrious ancestor Man O War entralled me. This sparked a lifelong interest in Thoroughbred breeding and as many of the descendants of Man O War were exported to France and Germany we followed their stories there. We have a personal debt to German bloodstock as the two humble racehorses we owned 50% shares in were out of a German bred mare. This was by design not accident, we love German breeding and it has gifted us many memories. Had we not followed German pedigrees we would never have been so sure that Galileo would give Sadler's Wells his first Derby winner. Mosella dam of Monsun was by a top class broodmare sire Surumu who also happens to be broodmare sire of  two other horses we have loved and followed, Lomitas and Hurricane Run.   

We were fortunate to witness the German Derby victory of Shirocco which gave us an inside view to how good he was before he arrived in England and went on to win The Breeder's Cup. We owe him a few polos and have been to Dalham Hall to visit him. We were smitten and followed all of Monsun's runners. Manduro was another favourite.

In 2008 we had the pleasure of meeting Monsun at Gestüt Schlenderhan near Cologne in Germany when we took a tour there with the Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Schlenderhan dates back to 1869 and has been one of the most successful stud farms in Germany. Sadly Baroness Karin von Ullmann reknowned breeder died in 2009 at the age of 87. Monsun's sire Konigsstuhl won the German Triple Crown in 1976. The stud made us most welcome and we are grateful to them for having had the opportunity to see Monsun up close. Nearly blind his nobility and dignity nevertheless shone brightly. His spirit was uplifting and heartbreaking at once.

As he came out to parade for us there was an intake of breath and then silence as all who watched were in awe. He had enormous presence and great beauty. He clearly trusted his handlers who showed him due respect and took tender care of him. They were very rightly hugely proud of their charge who kept his head turned slightly while listening for their next word, who leaned his great shoulder upon them as they led him round.

It was hard not to feel choked up by his beauty and his courage. He had suffered and yet bore his suffering like a war medal. He was a proud horse despite losing most of his sight. Like all the great sires we have met, Sadler's Wells, Montjeu, Galileo and Ela Mana Mou amongst them, it was impossible to ignore Monsun, there was something almost supernatural about the aura which surrounded him. 

You knew you had witnessed something truly special.

Our condolences to Gestüt Schlenderhan and all who knew and loved him.

Some of his greatest offspring:

Manduro, Shirocco, Stacelita, Floriot, Gentlewave, Getaway, Le Miracle, Samum, Schiaparelli

Weatherby's paid tribute to Monsun and German breeding in February of this year. The link is at the bottom of the article.

Sons of Monsun Impressing at Stud

Wed, 01 February 2012

                          

Much has been made of the recent success and influx of German bred horses in recent years with the likes of Galileo and his relations King’s Best and Sea The Stars not to mention multiple Group winning stayer Fame And Glory and Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom.
German Breeders have deliberately and skillfully employed inbreeding and linebreeding to siblings and superior ancestors for generations and thus have produced sound animals for which we are now seeing the benefit of in the likes of Galileo and his offspring.

Monsun is a product of that skillful generation, by Konigsstuhl out of a mare by top class broodmare sire Surumu (broodmare sire of Lomitas and Hurricane Run). A multiple Group 1 winner in Germany over 12f, he won 8 Graded races in total from 10-12f and was second to Lando in the German Derby. His 15 crops have yielded 9 Champions and 80 blacktype winners as well as being named Leading sire in Germany in 2002, 04 and 06.

His lineage of producing top class middle distance prospects has elevated his sons to be of commercial value in the Flat and NH Stallion scenes. His first crop produced smart Group 2 winner, Network out of a mare by Reliance II, the broodmare sire of Oscar making him an ideal NH stallion. Network’s exploits at stud are now well documented with the likes of leading Arkle contender, SPRINTER SACRE and Grade 1 winner, RUBI BALL. Expect Network to go right to the top of the stallion ranks in the near future.

Monsun’s first crop also included dual Group 1 winner Samum and long distance stayer Speedmaster. Samum is out of a mare by Old Vic so also has credentials to be popular at stud amongst NH breeders and has already sired Group 1 winning flat performers in Baila Me and German Derby winner Kamsin. Speedmaster is out of a mare by Shirley Heights and has leading claims of being effective with Northern Dancer line mares.

Manduro and Shirocco have been marketed extensively as Flat stallions standing under the Darley banner and have both produced Group winners on the flat. The sheer plethora of runners means at some point their offspring will get a chance to show their ability over hurdles. Time will tell where their respective careers are heading.

Andre Fabre knows the Monsun’s well as he trained both Getaway and Gentlewave. The latter has made a sparkling start to his career siring Saturday’s disqualified Triumph Hurdle Trial winner Pearl Swan whilst Getaway raced for 5 seasons winning 6 Group races and his first foals are due to hit the ground this year.

Other sons of Monsun whose runners are due to hit the ground in the coming seasons include Arcadio, a Group 2 winning miler out of a Royal Academy mare. Schiaparelli, a full-brother to Samum whose foals are also due this year and September Storm, a full-brother to Shirocco whose first crop are now 3yo’s.


Weatherby's article

Monsun was also paid a lovely tribute by Sid Fernando in his 2009 blog

Sid Fernando



And his stamina analysis


Monsun analysis at chef-de-race