Nadir's name (meaning “the low point in the fortunes of a person or other entity”) was ironic, for he was considered the co-champion American juvenile male of his year and a top Classic prospect for the following season. While he did not live up to the hopes held for him at 3, he was by no means a bust either, adding the rich American Derby to his trophy case. He failed to garner further honors at 4, and his stud career proved a disappointment.
Race record
32 starts, 11 wins, 7 seconds, 8 thirds, US$434,316
1957:
1958:
1959:
Honors
American co-champion 2-year-old male (1957)
Assessments
Rated at 125 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1957, 1 pound below the other co-champion, Jewel's Reward.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1958, 4 pounds below divisional champion and highweight Tim Tam and equal to Belmont Stakes winner Cavan.
Rated at 116 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1959, 14 pounds below co-highweights Hillsdale and Round Table (the official co-champion of the handicap division with the 3-year-old Horse of the Year, Sword Dancer).
As an individual
Nadir was a tall, massively built, coarse colt with sickle hocks and an unreliable temperament. His racing career may have been adversely affected by a serious illness suffered between his juvenile and sophomore seasons.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Nadir sired 110 winners (53.1%) and seven stakes winners (3.4%) from 207 named foals. His best runner was the 1965 Vosburgh Handicap winner R. Thomas, a capable sprinter-miler.
Connections
Bred and owned by Claiborne Farm (A. B. Hancock, Jr.), Nadir was trained by Moody Jolley. An unconfirmed rumor held that Claiborne had declined an offer of $1 million for him from Travis Kerr (who had bought Round Table from Claiborne earlier in the year) following his juvenile campaign. Nadir was sent to Japan in 1967 and died there in 1978.
Pedigree notes
Nadir is inbred 5x3 to 1910 St. Leger Stakes winner and 1923 English champion sire Swynford, 5x5 to 1906 Derby Stakes winner Spearmint, and 5x5 to three-time French champion sire Rabelais. He is a full brother to Gal I Love, dam of 1966 San Felipe Handicap winner Saber Mountain (by Bagdad) and stakes winners Sphere (by Round Table) and Dumbwaiter (by Round Table). Gal I Love is the second dam of multiple European Group 1 winner Mashaallah, 1984 Oak Leaf Stakes (USA-G1) winner Folk Art, and multiple Japanese Group 2 winner Shadai Dancer and is the third dam of 1980 Canadian champion 2-year-old male Bayford, 2002 Japanese champion 2-year-old male Eishin Champ, 1979 Champion Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Northern Baby, 1898 Prix Jean Prat (FR-G1) winner Local Talent, Grade/Group 2 winners Connie's Gift and Local Suitor, and Grade 3 winners Chimichurri, Court Hostess, Refinish, and Sierra Diablo.
Gallita, the dam of Nadir, is a full sister to 1946 American champion handicap female Gallorette, dam of stakes winners Mlle. Lorette (by Lovely Night) and Courbette (by Native Dancer), second dam of 1966 Irish St. Leger winner White Gloves II and 1967 Jockey Club Cup winner and 1973 Argentine champion sire Dancing Moss, and third dam of 1986 Irish champion 2-year-old filly Minstrella, Grade 2 winner Misty Gallore, and Grade/Group 3 winners Hatta, Limone, and Allison's Deeds. Gallita is also a full sister to Galladare, dam of 1954 Jerome Handicap winner Martyr (by By Jimminy) and third dam of Grade 2 winner Announcer, and to Emme, second dam of 1970 Louisiana Derby winner Jim's Alibhi.
Gallita and her sisters were produced from Gallette (by Sir Gallahad III), whose full sister La France is the dam of 1939 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Johnstown (by Jamestown) and 1937 American champion 2-year-old filly Jacola (by Jacopo), dam of 1947 American champion 3-year-old male Phalanx (by Pilate) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Mr. Lucky Phoenix and 1952 Jersey Stakes winner King Jolie. Gallette is also a half sister to 1927 Gazelle Stakes winner Flambino (by Wrack), dam of 1935 Triple Crown winner Omaha (by Gallant Fox), 1938 Ascot Gold Cup winner Flares (by Gallant Fox), and 1934 Acorn Stakes winner Fleam (by General Lee). In addition, she is a half sister to stakes winners Flaming (by Wrack) and Cycle (by Sickle); to Flambola (by Wrack), second dam of 1946 Saratoga Special winner Grand Admiral; and to Flambant (by Gallant Fox), dam of minor stakes winner Super Duper.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: December 5, 2022
Race record
32 starts, 11 wins, 7 seconds, 8 thirds, US$434,316
1957:
- Won Garden State Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Garden State)
- 2nd Cowdin Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Belmont)
1958:
- Won American Derby (USA, 9FD, Washington Park)
- Won Select Handicap (USA, 6FD, Monmouth)
- 2nd Woodward Stakes (USA, 10FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Nassau County Handicap (USA, 9FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Arlington Classic (USA, 8FD, Arlington Park)
- 3rd Washington Park Handicap (USA, 8FD, Arlington Park)
1959:
- 2nd Widener Handicap (USA, 10FD, Hialeah)
- 2nd Ben Ali Handicap (USA, 7f+184ftD, Keeneland)
- 3rd McLennan Handicap (USA, 9FD, Hialeah)
- 3rd Tropical Park Handicap (USA, 9FD, Tropical Park)
- 3rd Carter Handicap (USA, 7FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Royal Palm Handicap (USA, 9FD, Hialeah)
Honors
American co-champion 2-year-old male (1957)
Assessments
Rated at 125 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1957, 1 pound below the other co-champion, Jewel's Reward.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1958, 4 pounds below divisional champion and highweight Tim Tam and equal to Belmont Stakes winner Cavan.
Rated at 116 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1959, 14 pounds below co-highweights Hillsdale and Round Table (the official co-champion of the handicap division with the 3-year-old Horse of the Year, Sword Dancer).
As an individual
Nadir was a tall, massively built, coarse colt with sickle hocks and an unreliable temperament. His racing career may have been adversely affected by a serious illness suffered between his juvenile and sophomore seasons.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Nadir sired 110 winners (53.1%) and seven stakes winners (3.4%) from 207 named foals. His best runner was the 1965 Vosburgh Handicap winner R. Thomas, a capable sprinter-miler.
Connections
Bred and owned by Claiborne Farm (A. B. Hancock, Jr.), Nadir was trained by Moody Jolley. An unconfirmed rumor held that Claiborne had declined an offer of $1 million for him from Travis Kerr (who had bought Round Table from Claiborne earlier in the year) following his juvenile campaign. Nadir was sent to Japan in 1967 and died there in 1978.
Pedigree notes
Nadir is inbred 5x3 to 1910 St. Leger Stakes winner and 1923 English champion sire Swynford, 5x5 to 1906 Derby Stakes winner Spearmint, and 5x5 to three-time French champion sire Rabelais. He is a full brother to Gal I Love, dam of 1966 San Felipe Handicap winner Saber Mountain (by Bagdad) and stakes winners Sphere (by Round Table) and Dumbwaiter (by Round Table). Gal I Love is the second dam of multiple European Group 1 winner Mashaallah, 1984 Oak Leaf Stakes (USA-G1) winner Folk Art, and multiple Japanese Group 2 winner Shadai Dancer and is the third dam of 1980 Canadian champion 2-year-old male Bayford, 2002 Japanese champion 2-year-old male Eishin Champ, 1979 Champion Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Northern Baby, 1898 Prix Jean Prat (FR-G1) winner Local Talent, Grade/Group 2 winners Connie's Gift and Local Suitor, and Grade 3 winners Chimichurri, Court Hostess, Refinish, and Sierra Diablo.
Gallita, the dam of Nadir, is a full sister to 1946 American champion handicap female Gallorette, dam of stakes winners Mlle. Lorette (by Lovely Night) and Courbette (by Native Dancer), second dam of 1966 Irish St. Leger winner White Gloves II and 1967 Jockey Club Cup winner and 1973 Argentine champion sire Dancing Moss, and third dam of 1986 Irish champion 2-year-old filly Minstrella, Grade 2 winner Misty Gallore, and Grade/Group 3 winners Hatta, Limone, and Allison's Deeds. Gallita is also a full sister to Galladare, dam of 1954 Jerome Handicap winner Martyr (by By Jimminy) and third dam of Grade 2 winner Announcer, and to Emme, second dam of 1970 Louisiana Derby winner Jim's Alibhi.
Gallita and her sisters were produced from Gallette (by Sir Gallahad III), whose full sister La France is the dam of 1939 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Johnstown (by Jamestown) and 1937 American champion 2-year-old filly Jacola (by Jacopo), dam of 1947 American champion 3-year-old male Phalanx (by Pilate) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Mr. Lucky Phoenix and 1952 Jersey Stakes winner King Jolie. Gallette is also a half sister to 1927 Gazelle Stakes winner Flambino (by Wrack), dam of 1935 Triple Crown winner Omaha (by Gallant Fox), 1938 Ascot Gold Cup winner Flares (by Gallant Fox), and 1934 Acorn Stakes winner Fleam (by General Lee). In addition, she is a half sister to stakes winners Flaming (by Wrack) and Cycle (by Sickle); to Flambola (by Wrack), second dam of 1946 Saratoga Special winner Grand Admiral; and to Flambant (by Gallant Fox), dam of minor stakes winner Super Duper.
Fun facts
- Ridan, the co-champion 2-year-old male of 1961, was given his name (“Nadir” in reverse) because Moody Jolley (who bought the colt from his breeder, Claiborne Farm) felt that he closely resembled Nadir.
- Gallita, the dam of Nadir, was bred by William L. Brann and was purchased by Claiborne's Bull Hancock in a package deal with Brann's other broodmares after Brann died. Gallita was the only one Hancock retained for himself (the others, which included the modern foundation mare Legendra, were sold through the 1953 Keeneland November mixed sale). Prior to buying the package, Hancock had approached Brann's widow about buying Gallita individually, based on trainer Ed Christmas' report that Gallita had shown ability comparable to that of her sister Gallorette before coming down with an illness as a 3-year-old.
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: December 5, 2022