Northern Dancer was born on May 27, 1961. He was a small bay with three white stockings and a crooked star. He was also the first foal of the Native Dancer mare, Natalma. He was owned by E.P. Taylor.
As a yearling, E.P.Taylor offered Northern Dancer at his annual sale for $25,000, but there were no takers. So Taylor had Dancer shipped to Fort Erie for training.
Northern Dancer opened his career on August 2, 1963. He won his first two races, then placed second in the Vandel Stakes. After this race, Northern Dancer was sent to Hall of Fame trainer Luro.
Northern Dancer's first start for Luro was the Cup and Saucer Stakes at Woodbine. He lost to a longshot, but went on to close out the year with 5 straight wins. He was named Canada's Champion 2 year old Colt.
In 1964, Northern Dancer was winner in 4 out of 5 starts. Another horse, named Hill Rise, was undefeated in 4 starts. Jockey Bill Shoemaker was a regular rider for both horses. When trainer Luro asked Shoemaker to make a commitment to one horse or the other, Shoemaker chose Hill Rise because he was "a little more seasoned." This opened up the mount on Northern Dancer, and Bill Hartack accepted the reins. The newly formed team won the Bluegrass stakes and promptly headed to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby.
Hill Rise was the favorite with Northern Dancer listed as second favorite. When the gates opened, Northern Dancer settled mid-pack, then steadily advanced through the turn to catch the leader. He drew ahead by 2 lengths. But Hill Rise began gaining on him and the two battled their way down the home stretch. Northern Dancer won by a half-length.
Northern Dancer didn't favor the Pimlico Crowd at the Preakness either. Hill Rise would again receive that honor, but he was no match that day. The two raced neck and neck around the far turn but Northern Dancer shook loose at the top of the stretch. Never threatened, he won by two lengths.
The two horses met again at the Belmont, with Northern Dancer shooting for the Triple Crown honors. He was finally instilled as the favorite, but disappointed the crowd by finishing a weary third.
After the Belmont, Dancer was sent to his homeland for his next start, the Queen's Plate, and he took the Canadian Clasic with ease. His next start was to be the Travers, but a tendon injury not only forced his withdrawal from the race, but also his retirement. So the little bay headed back to his birthplace to take up stud duties - and to fulfill a greater destiny.
Initally standing for $10,000 for a live foal, Northern Dancer was a bargin basement deal. From his first crop came Vice Regal, the winner in 7 stakes in 8 starts, champion 2 year old and Horse of the Year. From his second crop came Nijinsky, who sold for $84,000 as a yearling. He was named 2 year old champion in England and Ireland.
Northern Dancer's statistics were unheard of. He became the leading sire in North America in 1971, and again in 1977. He was also leading sire in England in 1970, 1977, 1983 and 1984. His stud fee rocketed from $25,000 live foal to $1,000,000 no guarentee in the early 80's. Even at that price, a date with Northern Dancer seemed safe. In 1981, his yearlings averaged over $1,000,000, and in 1984 his 14 yearlings averaged an astounding 3,300,000, a record average unfathomable to ever be surpassed.
Perhaps the most exciting auction in the history of Thoroughbred breeding occured in 1983 at the Keeneland Select Sale. Northern Dancer's son, My Bupers was expected to set a new auction record, and did he ever! The bidding started at $1,000,000 as two of the wealthiest owners in racing, Englishman Robert Sangster and Sheikh Maktoum of Dubai, dueled for the prize. Within 45 seconds, a new record of $4,500,000 was reached. But the price kept climbing until at last the gavel dropped on Sheikh Maktoum's bid of $10,200,000. The crowd went wild.
Northern Dancer would continue to be a productive sire through 1986. He was pensioned in 1987 at age 26 with only 1 of 2 mares in foal. He passed away at Windfields Farm in thr Fall if 1990 and travelled once more back to his birthplace, this time to be buried.
The border photo was also taken by Barbara Livingston.