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Northern Dancer sire line

The following list shows the line of descent for major winners from the Northern Dancer sire line, tracking patrilineal descent from the stallion dubbed by the New York Times in 1990 "the dominant progenitor of his breed". It focuses on winners of the principal three-year-old Classic races, as these have long been used to evaluate a stallion's success, and the highest quality races for older horses based on International Federation of Horseracing Authorities rankings. A few other highly prestigious races from around the world have been included as well.

Northern Dancer's first major winner was Nijinsky, who swept the English Triple Crown in 1970. Nijinsky in turn established himself as a leading sire, as did several other of Northern Dancer's sons, especially Danzig, Storm Bird (through his son Storm Cat) and Sadler's Wells. Modern descendants of Northern Dancer's sire line include American Triple Crown winner Justify (2018) and the majority of recent English Classic winners including the undefeated Frankel.

Although not covered by the following list, Northern Dancer's influence is magnified in modern pedigrees by the success of several of his male descendants as broodmare sires. Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and leading sire Tapit are just two examples of horses who descend from Northern Dancer in an indirect line.

Races included and number of winners

The following races were selected based on notability (for example, the English Classic and American triple crown races), quality (as measured by the IFHA ranking of the top 100 G1 races), and geography (to sample racing from around the world). This list also shows how many winners of the given race descend from the Northern Dancer sire line (not including Northern Dancer's own wins in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Queen's Plate).

Three-year-old classics:

Top rated races:

Other races of interest:

Major winners in the Northern Dancer Sire Line

Nijinsky branch

  • Nijinsky (1970 English Triple Crown (2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby & St Leger), Irish Derby, King George):
  • Green Dancer (1975 Poulains):
  • Aryenne (1980 Pouliches)
  • No Attention:
  • Super Creek (1988 Kikuka Sho)
  • Cadoudal:
  • Indian River:
  • Native River (2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup)
  • Long Run (2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup)
  • Buck's Boum:
  • Al Boum Photo (2019-2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup)
  • Suave Dancer (1991 Prix du Jockey Club, Irish Champion, Arc de Triomphe):
  • Compton Admiral (1999 Eclipse)
  • Volvoreta (2000 Prix Vermeille)
  • Green Tune (1994 Poulains)
  • Eishin Preston (2003-4 QEII Cup)
  • Dancing Champ:
  • Dancing Duel (1993 Durban July)
  • Space Walk (1994 Durban July)
  • Copper Kingdom:
  • My Brilliant Star (1992 Australian Oaks)
  • Whiskey Road:
  • Just A Dash (1981 Melbourne Cup)
  • Strawberry Road (1983 Rosehill Guineas, Australian Derby, Cox Plate)
  • Fraise (1992 Breeders' Cup Turf)
  • Ajina (1997 CCAO, Breeders' Cup Distaff)
  • Escena (1998 Breeders' Cup Distaff)
  • Maruzensky:
  • Horisky (1982 Kikuka Sho)
  • Suzuka Koban (1985 Takarazuka Kinen)
  • Sakura Chiyono O (1988 Tokyo Yushun)
  • Leo Durban (1991 Kikuka Sho)
  • Yamaninsky:
  • Yaeno Muteki (1988 Satsuki Sho)
  • Light Color (1989 Yushun Himba)
  • Ile de Bourbon (1978 King George):
  • Lagunas (1984 Deutsches Derby)
  • Kahyasi (1988 Epsom and Irish Derby):
  • Enzeli (1999 Ascot Gold Cup)
  • Vereva (1997 Prix de Diane)
  • Zainta (1998 Prix de Diane)
  • Ile de Chypre (1989 International Stakes)
  • Yeats (b. 1976):
  • Poetic Prince (1988 Cox Plate, 1989 Queen Elizabeth (AUS))
  • Niniski:
  • Petoski (1985 King George)
  • Kala Dancer:
  • Subzero (1992 Melbourne Cup)
  • Minster Son (1988 St Leger)
  • Lomitas:
  • Belenus (1999 Deutsches Derby)
  • Silvano (2001 QEII Cup):
  • Bold Silvano (2010 Durban July)
  • Heavy Metal (2013 Durban July)
  • Lucky Speed (2013 Deutsches Derby)
  • Power King (2015 Durban July)
  • Marinaresco (2017 Durban July)
  • Sparkling Water (2022 Durban July)
  • Danedream (2011 Arc de Triomphe, 2012 King George)
  • Hernando (1993 Prix du Jockey Club):
  • Holding Court (2000 Prix du Jockey Club)
  • Sulamani (2002 Prix du Jockey Club, International, 2003 Dubai Sheema Classic)
  • Mastery (2009 St Leger)
  • Look Here (2008 Epsom Oaks)
  • Czaravich (1980 Met Mile)
  • Kings Lake (1981 Irish 2000, Sussex, Irish Champion)
  • Sportin' Life:
  • Bet Twice (1987 Belmont Stakes)
  • Golden Fleece (1982 Epsom Derby)
  • Solford (1983 Eclipse)
  • Russian Roubles:
  • Isono Roubles (1991 Yushun Himba)
  • Serheed:
  • Northerly (2001-2 Cox Plate)
  • Caerleon (1983 Prix du Jockey Club, International):
  • Caerlina (1991 Prix de Diane)
  • Generous (1991 Epsom and Irish Derby, King George)
  • Moonax (1994 St Leger)
  • Overbury (1996 QEII Cup)
  • Lady Carla (1996 Epsom Oaks)
  • Fusaichi Concorde (1996 Tokyo Yushun)
  • Cape Verdi (1998 1000 Guineas)
  • Marienbard (2002 Arc de Triomphe)
  • Shadeed (1985 2000 Guineas, Queen Elizabeth II):
  • Shadayid (1991 1000 Guineas)
  • Alydeed (1992 Queen's Plate)
  • Sayyedati (1993 1000 Guineas, Sussex, Prix Jacques le Marois)
  • Manzotti:
  • Two Altazano (1994 CCAO)
  • Shahrastani (1986 Epsom and Irish Derby)
  • Ferdinand (1986 Kentucky Derby, 1987 Breeders' Cup Classic)
  • Royal Academy (1990 Breeders' Cup Mile):
  • Ihtiram:
  • Miss Andretti (2007 Lightning)
  • Ali-Royal (1997 Sussex)
  • Sleepytime (1997 1000 Guineas)
  • Zalaiyka (1998 Pouliches)
  • Val Royal (2001 Breeders' Cup Mile):
  • Cockney Rebel (2007 2000 Guineas, Irish 2000)
  • Bel Esprit:
  • Black Caviar (2011-3 Lightning)
  • Bullish Luck (2005-6 Champions Mile)
  • Eyeofthetiger (2006 Durban July)
  • Lammtarra (1995 Epsom Derby, King George, Arc de Triomphe)

Lyphard branch

  • Lyphard (1972 Prix Jacques le Marois):
  • Pharly:
  • Le Nain Jaune:
  • Magic Night (1991 Prix Vermeille)
  • Reine de Saba (1978 Prix de Diane)
  • Dancing Maid (1978 Pouliches, Prix Vermeille)
  • Three Troikas (1979 Pouliches, Prix Vermeille, Arc de Triomphe)
  • Lypheor:
  • Royal Heroine (1984 Breeders' Cup Mile)
  • Tolomeo:
  • Innocent King (1993 Rosehill Guineas, Australian Derby)
  • :
  • Haru Urara
  • Mogami:
  • Sirius Symboli (1985 Tokyo Yushun)
  • Mejiro Ramonu (1986 Yushun Himba)
  • Legacy World (1993 Japan Cup)
  • Manila (1986 Breeders' Cup Turf)
  • Alzao:
  • Second Set (1991 Sussex)
  • Wind in Her Hair (1995 Aral-Pokal, dam of Deep Impact)
  • Matiya (1996 Irish 1000)
  • Winona (1998 Irish Oaks)
  • Alborada (1998-9 Champion Stakes)
  • Shahtoush (1998 Epsom Oaks)
  • Elliodor:
  • Super Quality (1997 Durban July)
  • Bellypha:
  • Silvermine (1985 Pouliches)
  • Mendez:
  • Linamix (1990 Poulains):
  • Miss Satamixa (1995 Prix Jacques le Marois)
  • Sagamix (1998 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe)
  • Vahorimix (2001 Poulains, Prix Jacques le Marois)
  • Rajsaman:
  • Brametot (2017 Poulains, Prix du Jockey Club)
  • Dancing Brave (1986 2000 Guineas, Eclipse, King George, Arc de Triomphe):
  • Wemyss Bight (1993 Irish Oaks)
  • White Muzzle (1993 Derby Italiano)
  • Ingrandire (2004 Spring Tenno Sho)
  • Smile Tomorrow (2002 Yushun Himba)
  • Asakusa Kings (2007 Kikuka Sho)
  • Erimo Chic (1997 Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup)
  • King Halo (2000 Takamatsunomiya Kinen):
  • Kawakami Princess (2006 Yushun Himba)
  • Commander in Chief (1993 Epsom and Irish Derby)
  • Kyoei March (1997 Oka Sho)
  • T M Ocean (2001 Oka Sho)
  • Ensconse (1989 Irish 1000)
  • Jolypha (1992 Prix de Diane, Prix Vermeille)
  • Pearl Bracelet (1989 Pouliches)

Nureyev branch

  • Nureyev:
  • Sonic Lady (1986 Irish 1000, Sussex)
  • Theatrical (1987 International, Breeders' Cup Turf)
  • Madeleine's Dream (1993 Pouliches)
  • Zagreb (1996 Irish Derby)
  • Media Puzzle (2002 Melbourne Cup)
  • Mrs Lindsay (2007 Prix Vermeille)
  • Miesque (1987 1000 Guineas, Pouliches, 1987-8 Prix Jacques le Marois and Breeders' Cup Mile)
  • Soviet Star (1987 Poulains, Sussex):
  • Ashkalani (1996 Poulains))
  • Starcraft (2004 Australian Derby, 2005 Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Fotitieng:
  • Wonder Perfume (1995 Oka Sho)
  • Zilzal (1989 Sussex, Queen Elizabeth II):
  • Always Loyal (1997 Pouliches)
  • Among Men (1998 Sussex)
  • Faithful Son (1998 Prince of Wales)
  • Robin des Bois:
  • Gentlemen (1997 Pacific Classic)
  • Polar Falcon:
  • Pivotal:
  • Captain Rio:
  • Terravista (2017 Lightning)
  • Saoire (2005 Irish 1000)
  • Falco (2008 Poulains)
  • Halfway to Heaven (2008 Irish 1000)
  • Sariska (2009 Irish Oaks)
  • Buzzword (2010 Deutsches Derby)
  • Immortal Verse (2011 Prix Jacques le Marois)
  • Farhh (2013 Champion Stakes)
  • King of Change (2019 Queen Elizabeth II)
  • African Story (2014 Dubai World Cup)
  • Sariska (2009 Epsom Oaks)
  • Siyouni:
  • Ervedya (2015 Pouliches)
  • Laurens (2018 Prix de Diane)
  • Sottsass (2019 Prix du Jockey Club, 2020 Arc de Triomphe)
  • Dream And Do (2020 Pouliches)
  • St Mark's Basilica (2021 Poulains, Prix du Jockey Club, Eclipse, Irish Champion)
  • Paddington (2023 Irish 2000, Eclipse)
  • Lightning Spear (2018 Sussex)
  • Addeybb (2020 Champion Stakes, 2020-1 Queen Elizabeth (AUS))
  • Tahiyra (2023 Irish 1000)
  • Caesour:
  • Irridescence (2006 QEII Cup)
  • Rudimentary:
  • Industrialist (2000 QEII Cup)
  • Unusual Heat:
  • Acclamation (2011 Pacific Classic)
  • Mehthaaf (1994 Irish 1000)
  • Spinning World (1996 Irish 2000, 1996-7 Prix Jacques le Marois, 1997 Breeders' Cup Mile):
  • Thorn Park:
  • Jimmy Choux (2011 Rosehill Guineas)
  • Ocean Park (2012 Cox Plate)
  • Heavenly Glow (2008 Australian Oaks)
  • Wolfhound:
  • Bright Sky (2002 Prix de Diane)
  • Peintre Celebre (1997 Prix du Jockey Club, Arc de Triomphe):
  • Dai Jin (2003 Deutsches Derby)
  • Pride (2006 Champion Stakes)
  • Byword (2010 Prince of Wales)
  • Reams of Verse (1997 Epsom Oaks)
  • Stravinsky:
  • Serenade Rose (2006 Australian Oaks)
  • Skimming (2000-2001 Pacific Classic)

Danzig branch

  • Danzig:
  • Chief's Crown:
  • Erhaab (1994 Epsom Derby)
  • Key of Luck:
  • Alamshar (2003 Irish Derby, King George)
  • Concerto:
  • Bellamy Road:
  • Diversify (2018 Whitney Stakes)
  • Chief Bearhart (1997 Breeders' Cup Turf)
  • Grand Lodge:
  • Sinndar (2000 Epsom and Irish Derby, Arc de Triomphe):
  • Shawanda (2005 Irish Oaks, Prix Vermeille)
  • Shareta (2012 Prix Vermeille)
  • Shogun Lodge (2001 Queen Elizabeth (AUS))
  • Grandera (2002 Irish Champion, Prince of Wales)
  • Hotel Grand (2006 Randwick Guineas)
  • Danzig Connection (1986 Belmont Stakes)
  • Green Desert:
  • Desert Sun:
  • Sunline (1999-2000 Cox Plate)
  • Desert Style:
  • Bachir (2000 Poulains, Irish 2000)
  • Next Desert (2002 Deutsches Derby)
  • Mandesha (2006 Prix Vermeille)
  • Paco Boy:
  • Galileo Gold (2016 2000 Guineas)
  • Oriental Express (1998 QEII Cup)
  • Cape Cross:
  • Ouija Board (2004 Epsom and Irish Oaks, 2006 Prince of Wales)
  • Able One (2007 & 2010 Champions Mile)
  • Sea the Stars (2009 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, Eclipse, International, Irish Champion, Arc de Triomphe):
  • Taghrooda (2014 Epsom Oaks, King George)
  • Sea the Moon (2014 Deutsches Derby)
  • Harzand (2016 Epsom and Irish Derby)
  • Stradivarius (2018, 2019, 2020 Ascot Gold Cup)
  • Sea of Class (2018 Irish Oaks)
  • Crystal Ocean (2019 Prince of Wales)
  • Star Catcher (2019 Irish Oaks, Prix Vermeille)
  • Baaeed (2021 Queen Elizabeth II, 2022 Sussex, International)
  • Teona (2021 Prix Vermeille)
  • Hukum (2022 Coronation Cup, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes)
  • Golden Horn (2015 Epsom Derby, Irish Champion, Eclipse, Arc de Triomphe)
  • Awtaad (2016 Irish 2000)
  • Desert Prince (1998 Irish 2000, Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Invincible Spirit:
  • Lawman (2007 Prix du Jockey Club)
  • Just The Judge (2013 Irish 1000)
  • I Am Invincible:
  • Home Affairs (2022 Lightning)
  • Charm Spirit (2014 Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Moonlight Cloud (2013 Prix Jacques le Marois)
  • Kingman (2014 Irish 2000, Sussex, Prix Jacques le Marois)
  • Persian King (2019 Prix d'Essai des Poulains)
  • Palace Pier (2020 & 2021 Prix Jacques Le Marois)
  • Harbour Law (2016 St Leger)
  • Magna Grecia (2019 2000 Guineas)
  • Rose Gypsy (2001 Pouliches)
  • Oasis Dream:
  • Midday (2010 Prix Vermeille)
  • Power (2012 Irish 2000)
  • Showcasing:
  • Mohaather (2020 Sussex)
  • Native Trail (2022 Irish 2000)
  • Polish Navy:
  • Sea Hero (1993 Kentucky Derby)
  • Allied Flag:
  • Classic Flag (1998 Durban July)
  • Polish Precedent (1989 Prix Jacques le Marois):
  • Pure Grain (1995 Irish Oaks)
  • Pilsudski (1996 Breeders' Cup Turf, 1997 Eclipse, Champion, Irish Champion, Japan Cup)
  • Rakti (2003 Champion Stakes, 2004 Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Polish Summer (2004 Dubai Sheema Classic)
  • Court Masterpiece (2006 Sussex)
  • Darsi (2006 Prix du Jockey Club)
  • Danehill:
  • Danasinga:
  • Metal Bender (2009 Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas)
  • Danzero:
  • Fairway (2000 Randwick Guineas, Australian Derby)
  • Jymcarew (2005 Randwick Guineas)
  • Danewin (1995 Rosehill Guineas)
  • Dane Ripper (1997 Cox Plate)
  • Danendri (1997 Australian Oaks)
  • Desert King (1997 Irish 2000, Irish Derby):
  • Fine Motion (2002 Shuka Sho)
  • Makybe Diva (2003-5 Melbourne Cup, 2005 Cox Plate)
  • Mr Dinos (2003 Ascot Gold Cup)
  • Speciosa (2006 1000 Guineas)
  • Desert War (2007 Queen Elizabeth (AUS))
  • Legatissimo (2015 1000 Guineas)
  • Flying Spur:
  • Mentality (2007 Randwick Guineas)
  • Dealer Principal (2008 Rosehill Guineas)
  • Inspiration (2008 Hong Kong Sprint)
  • Arena (1999 Randwick Guineas):
  • Rena's Lady (2007 Australian Oaks)
  • Camacho:
  • Teppal (2018 Pouliches)
  • Fairy King Prawn (1999 Hong Kong Sprint)
  • Tiger Hill:
  • Rewilding (2011 Dubai Sheema Classic, Prince of Wales)
  • Redoute's Choice:
  • Not a Single Doubt:
  • Southern Legend (2020 Champions Mile)
  • Stratum:
  • Streama (2012 Australian Oaks)
  • Time Thief:
  • In Her Time (2019 Lightning)
  • Snitzel:
  • Shamus Award (2013 Cox Plate)
  • El Patroness (2022 Australian Oaks)
  • Snitzerland (2014 Lightning)
  • Absolutely (2011 Australian Oaks)
  • Royal Descent (2013 Australian Oaks)
  • Lankan Rupee (2015 Lightning)
  • The Autumn Sun (2019 Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas)
  • Danehill Dancer:
  • Where or When (2002 Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Choisir (2003 Lightning)
  • Starspangledbanner:
  • The Wow Signal:
  • Couersamba (2021 Pouliches)
  • State Of Rest (2021 Cox Plate, 2022 Prince of Wales's)
  • Olympic Glory (2013 Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Fast Company:
  • Jet Setting (2016 Irish 1000)
  • Dancing Rain (2011 Epsom Oaks)
  • Mastercraftsman (2009 Irish 2000):
  • The Grey Gatsby (2014 Prix du Jockey Club, Irish Champion)
  • Kingston Hill (2014 St Leger)
  • Alpha Centauri (2018 Irish 1000, Prix Jacques Le Marois)
  • Esoterique (2015 Prix Jacques le Marois)
  • Here Comes When (2017 Sussex)
  • Dansili:
  • Rail Link (2006 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe)
  • Harbinger (2010 King George)
  • Deirdre (2017 Shuka Sho)
  • Mozu Katchan (2017 Queen Elizabeth II Cup)
  • Blast Onepiece (2018 Arima Kinen)
  • The Fugue (2013 Irish Champion, 2014 Prince of Wales)
  • Miss France (2014 1000 Guineas)
  • Zoffany:
  • Mother Earth (2021 1000 Guineas)
  • Aquarelliste (2001 Prix de Diane, Prix Vermeille)
  • Mozart:
  • Dandy Man:
  • Peniaphobia (2016 Hong Kong Sprint)
  • Landseer (2002 Poulains)
  • Rock of Gibraltar (2002 2000 Guineas, Irish 2000, Sussex):
  • Mount Nelson (2008 Eclipse)
  • Samitar (2012 Irish 1000)
  • Banks Hill (2002 Prix Jacques le Marois)
  • Jeune King Prawn (2002 Champions Mile)
  • Exceed and Excel:
  • Helmet:
  • Thunder Snow (2018-9 Dubai World Cup)
  • Excelebration (2012 Queen Elizabeth II, Prix Jacques le Marois)
  • Mr Stunning (2017-2018 Hong Kong Sprint)
  • Mawj (2023 1000 Guineas)
  • Clodovil (2003 Poulains)
  • Westerner (2005 Ascot Gold Cup)
  • Aussie Rules (2006 Poulains)
  • Darci Brahma:
  • Gust of Wind (2005 Australian Oaks)
  • Fastnet Rock (2005 Lightning)
  • Hinchinbrook:
  • Beat the Cloack (2019 Hong Kong Sprint)
  • Mosheen (2012 Randwick Guineas)
  • Qualify (2015 Epsom Oaks)
  • Fascinating Rock (2015 Champion Stakes)
  • Unforgotten (2018 Australian Oaks)
  • North Light (2004 Epsom Derby):
  • Arctic Cosmos (2010 St Leger)
  • Oratorio (2005 Eclipse, Irish Champion)
  • Military Attack (2013 QEII Cup)
  • George Washington (2006 2000 Guineas, Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Champs Elysees:
  • Trip to Paris (2015 Ascot Gold Cup)
  • Billesdon Brook (2018 1000 Guineas)
  • Dylan Thomas (2007 Irish Derby, King George, Arc de Triomphe, 2007-8 Irish Champion)
  • Blazing Speed (2015 QEII Cup)
  • Peeping Fawn (2007 Irish Oaks)
  • Holy Roman Emperor:
  • Homecoming Queen (2012 1000 Guineas)
  • Designs on Rome (2014 QEII Cup)
  • Mongolian Khan (2015 Australian Derby)
  • Romanised (2018 Irish 2000, 2019 Prix Jacques le Marois)
  • Duke of Marmalade (2008 Prince of Wales, King George, International):
  • Star of Seville (2015 Prix de Diane)
  • Simple Verse (2015 St Leger)
  • Nutan (2015 Deutsches Derby)
  • Big Orange (2017 Ascot Gold Cup)
  • Shaadi (1989 Irish 2000)
  • Honor Grades:
  • Adoration (2003 Breeders' Cup Distaff)
  • Langfuhr (1997 Met Mile):
  • Wando (2003 Queen's Plate)
  • Lawyer Ron (2007 Whitney)
  • Dance Smartly (1991 Breeders' Cup Distaff, Queen's Plate)
  • Pine Bluff (1992 Preakness Stakes)
  • Lure (1992-3 Breeders' Cup Mile)
  • Orpen:
  • Torrestrella (2004 Pouliches)
  • Dispute (1993 Kentucky Oaks)
  • Maroof (1994 Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Figures (2004 Champions Mile)
  • Natural Blitz (2005 Hong Kong Sprint)
  • Boundary:
  • Big Brown (2007 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes)
  • Perugino:
  • Testa Rossa (2000 Lightning)
  • Anabaa:
  • Anabaa Blue (2001 Prix du Jockey Club)
  • Headturner (2006 Australian Derby)
  • Goldikova (2008-2010 Breeders' Cup Mile, 2009 Prix Jacques le Marois)
  • Style Vendome (2013 Poulains)
  • Bianconi:
  • Nicconi (2009 Lightning)
  • Nature Strip (2021 Lightning)
  • Mull of Kintyre:
  • Araafa (2006 Irish 2000)
  • War Chant (2000 Breeders' Cup Mile)
  • War Front:
  • Declaration of War (2013 International Stakes)
  • Olmedo (2018 Poule d'Essai des Poulains)
  • Vow And Declare (2019 Melbourne Cup)
  • War of Will (2019 Preakness)
  • Librettist (2006 Prix Jacques le Marois)
  • Hard Spun:
  • Questing (2012 CCAO)
  • Le Romain (2016 Randwick Guineas)
  • Silver State (2021 Met Mile)
  • Astronomer Royal (2007 Poulains)

Storm Bird branch

Sadler's Wells branch

Other branches

References

Notes