Northern Dancer

Northern Dancer, racehorse (born 27 May 1961 in Oshawa, ON; died 16 Nov 1990 in Chesapeake City, Maryland). Northern Dancer was a famous Canadian racehorse who held the record for the Kentucky Derby’s fastest time from 1964 to 1973.

Early Life

Bred at E.P. Taylor's National Stud Farm, Northern Dancer remained unsold as a yearling. Later, in his second and third year, he won the Remsen Stakes, the Flamingo Stakes, the Florida Derby, the Summer Stakes, the Coronation Futurity Stakes and the Carleton Stakes.

Racing Career

Northern Dancer was the first Canadian-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby (1964) and went on to win the Preakness Stakes. He finish third in the Belmont Stakes and won the Queen's Plate. Known for his stamina, Northern Dancer was also very fast—only Secretariat has bettered his Kentucky Derby record of 2 minutes flat for the 1-mile course.

Retirement

Retired to stud, Northern Dancer became one of the greatest stud horses in history. By the time of his death, 467 of his 635 registered foals had won races and over 150 had won stakes races. Many of today's best thoroughbreds trace their lineage to him. Some of his more important offspring include Epsom Derby winners Nijinsky and The Minstrel.