Nijinsky (foaled 21 February 1967, died 15 April 1992), also known as Nijinsky II, was an Irish-bred, Canadian-owned, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of the 20th century and is most famous for being the last horse to win the English Triple Crown, achieving this feat in 1970.
Background Nijinsky was a bay colt sired by Northern Dancer, a Kentucky Derby winner who became one of the most influential sires of all time. His dam was Flaming Page, a Canadian Oaks winner, by Bull Page. He was bred by E. P. Taylor at his Windfields Farm in Ontario, Canada. Nijinsky was purchased as a yearling for $84,000 by American industrialist Charles W. Engelhard and sent to be trained by Vincent O'Brien at Ballydoyle in County Tipperary, Ireland. He was named after the Russian ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky.
Racing Career Nijinsky's racing career spanned two seasons, 1969 and 1970, during which he competed 13 times, winning 11 races. He was ridden in all his major victories by Lester Piggott.
Two-Year-Old Season (1969) As a two-year-old, Nijinsky was undefeated in five starts. His wins included the Anglesey Stakes, Railway Stakes, and the Beresford Stakes in Ireland. He concluded his juvenile campaign by winning the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, establishing himself as the leading two-year-old in Europe and a strong favorite for the following year's Classics.
Three-Year-Old Season (1970) Nijinsky's three-year-old season cemented his place in racing history.
- 2,000 Guineas: He began his season by winning the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, the first leg of the English Triple Crown, in impressive style.
- Epsom Derby: Next, he triumphed in the Epsom Derby over 1 mile 4 furlongs, demonstrating his stamina and class, becoming the first horse since Crepello in 1957 to win both the Guineas and the Derby.
- Irish Derby: After his Epsom victory, he returned to Ireland to win the Irish Derby.
- King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes: He then defeated older horses convincingly in the prestigious King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
- St. Leger Stakes: His historic moment came in the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster, the third and final leg of the English Triple Crown. With this victory, Nijinsky became the first horse in 35 years (since Bahram in 1935) to win the Triple Crown.
- Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: After completing the Triple Crown, Nijinsky attempted to cap his career with a victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, France. He was narrowly defeated by Sassafras, finishing second.
- Champion Stakes: In his final race, the Champion Stakes, Nijinsky finished second to Lorenzaccio.
Despite these two late-season defeats, Nijinsky's overall record of 11 wins from 13 starts, including the English Triple Crown, King George, and Irish Derby, secured his status as the European Horse of the Year and one of the all-time greats.
Stud Career Nijinsky was retired to stud at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, United States, at the end of his three-year-old season, where he became a highly successful and influential sire. He stood at stud from 1971 until his death in 1992. He was the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 1986. His notable progeny included:
- Shahrastani: Epsom Derby winner
- Lammtarra: Epsom Derby winner, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner
- Caerleon: Prix du Jockey Club winner and a successful sire in his own right
- Royal Academy: Breeders' Cup Mile winner
- Ferdinand: Kentucky Derby winner and Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
- Maplejinsky: Dam of Hall of Famer Sky Beauty
Nijinsky also became a noted sire of sires and broodmare sires, extending the Northern Dancer influence across the globe.
Legacy and Death Nijinsky was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1976. He died on 15 April 1992 at Claiborne Farm at the age of 25 due to complications from laminitis and was buried there. His achievements on the track, particularly his English Triple Crown victory, and his subsequent success at stud, firmly established him as one of the most revered figures in Thoroughbred racing history.