A look back at the champions of the breed
Canada has a proud history in thoroughbred racing and boasts two native sons as winners of the famed Kentucky Derby. The most famous was 1964 winner Northern Dancer, who won the race in a then track record time. The other was born on the same farm and won the race in 1983. His name was Sunny’s Halo. Sunny’s Halo was
Read moreEdward Riley Bradley was one of the great breeders in the history of thoroughbred racing. His Idle Hour Stock Farm in Kentucky churned out stakes winner after stakes winner, one hundred and twenty-eight of them in total, in a forty year period during the first half of the twentieth century. However he never once led a year end breeder’s list.
Read more“Here lies the fleetest runner the American turf has ever known, and one of the gamest and most generous of horses” so says the inscription on the tombstone of the legendary thoroughbred Domino. Although he lived for only six years, Domino left an indelible mark in history as a race horse, and one of the most remarkable legacies as a
Read more“I believe that one day in Canada a horse will be bred that can win the Kentucky Derby. I have many friends in the game tell me the climate is not suitable that such a horse can be developed in my country, but I beg to differ. I hope to prove them wrong”. E.P. Taylor said these words in 1957.
Read moreWhen we look back at the greats of the turf, very seldom are the mothers of these heralded horses given much mention. When we say the name Northern Dancer, all kinds of adulation are heaped during the conversation, and rightfully so, about his racing and stud record. However little is said of his dam, the wonderful Natalma. I am sure
Read moreOf all the famous and important classic races around the world, there is only one named after a horse. The Preakness Stakes is the second jewel of the American Triple Crown and has been run every year at Pimlico Racetrack since 1873. The race was named after the first horse to win a stakes race at the old track. Owned
Read moreIn horse racing there are certain names that when mentioned, you know exactly what horse is being spoken of. Say the name Phar Lap and the image of a large chestnut gelding that was born in New Zealand, made famous in Australia by winning all the big races, and died via mysterious circumstances in the U.S. immediately comes to mind.
Read moreJuddmonte Farm has become one of the leading breeders and owners in world racing. Prince Khalid Abdullah has funded and masterminded this very successful operation that has seen the likes of Danehill, Dancing Brave, Known Fact, Workforce, Empire Maker, Commander in Chief and the incomparable Frankel among the dozens upon dozens of world class horses bred and raced by this
Read moreThere are many breeders who believe that excessive in breeding is detrimental to advancement of the breed. Out crosses and diversity are keys to advancing the breed. In the other corner many breeders believe that inbreeding is needed to keep certain lines vigorous and strong. As with so many examples of each breeding theory, there are successes and failures to
Read moreWinning streaks in sports are exciting and capture the imagination of fans. Winning streaks become a source of lively conversation in the press, pubs and work place water coolers. In racing an extended winning streak at the top level is rare, but when it happens, the attention of the fans becomes focused on the horse. Beginning at the end of
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