Talented but unsound, Nantallah got a chance at stud at Claiborne Farm based on A. B. “Bull” Hancock's hunch that the colt might have been something out of the ordinary. As luck would have it, Claiborne client Thomas Girdler sent his mare Rough Shod II to Nantallah instead of a more expensive Claiborne sire in 1958, perhaps economizing on the stud fee after getting only three foals from the mare in the preceding six years. Lightning struck in the form of a tall, athletic colt named Ridan, who went unbeaten in seven races at 2 and was the co-champion American juvenile male of 1961. Nantallah will always be associated with Rough Shod II, who produced American co-Horse of the Year Moccasin, the good stakes winner Lt. Stevens and the important broodmare Thong from further matings with the stallion, but he also had success enough at stud elsewhere to take his place among Nasrullah's good sons.
Race record
7 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third, US$17,824
1955:
Assessments
Weighted at 117 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1955, 9 pounds below highweighted Career Boy and 8 pounds below the division's official co-champions, Nail and Needles.
As an individual
A big, handsome light bay horse, Nantallah had scope and power but was somewhat upright in front. He was forced into retirement by a bowed tendon.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Nantallah sired 125 winners (67.2%) and 14 stakes winners (7.5%) from 186 named foals. He was second on the American juvenile sire list by money won in 1961 and 1965. He was also a good broodmare sire, reaching his peak with a 10th-place finish on the English/Irish combined broodmare sire list in 1973. In keeping with the proclivities of his immediate female family, Nantallah was an influence for speed and precocity as a sire.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Notable progeny
Lady Dulcinea (USA), Lt. Stevens (USA), Moccasin (USA), Ridan (USA), Tallahto (USA), Thong (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Apalachee (USA), Belted Earl (USA), Canonero II (USA), Heavenly Cause (USA), Hidden Light (USA), King Pellinore (USA), Olwyn (GB), Prince True (USA), Special (USA), Thatch (USA), Tina Tina Too (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Nantallah was bred by Whitney Stone. He raced in the colors of Starmount Stable. He stood at Claiborne Farm throughout his stud career and was buried in the farm's equine cemetery.
Pedigree notes
Nantallah is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to 1961 Gazelle Handicap winner Shimmy Dancer (by Native Dancer), second dam of Grade 3 winner Robyn Dancer and third dam of Grade 3 winner Vegas Prospector. His dam Shimmer is a half sister to the excellent sprinter Rippey (by Pompey) and to Lois F. (by Tintagel), dam of juvenile stakes winner In Regards (by With Regards). In Regards, in turn, produced juvenile stakes winners Bahroona (by Poona II) and Trondheim (by Getaway II).
Stakes-placed on the track, Shimmer was produced from 1936 Demoiselle Stakes winner Broad Ripple (by Stimulus), whose half sister Bold Guess produced 1963 Hollywood Juvenile Championship winner Nevada Bin (by Binary). Another half sister to Broad Ripple, Battle Magic (by Blenheim II), produced juvenile stakes winner Spy Magic (by Spy Song). Broad Ripple and her sisters were produced from the Sir Gallahad III mare Hocus Pocus.
Last updated: August 7, 2021
Race record
7 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third, US$17,824
1955:
- 2nd National Stallion Stakes (Males) (USA, 5FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Juvenile Stakes (USA, 5FD, Belmont)
Assessments
Weighted at 117 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1955, 9 pounds below highweighted Career Boy and 8 pounds below the division's official co-champions, Nail and Needles.
As an individual
A big, handsome light bay horse, Nantallah had scope and power but was somewhat upright in front. He was forced into retirement by a bowed tendon.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Nantallah sired 125 winners (67.2%) and 14 stakes winners (7.5%) from 186 named foals. He was second on the American juvenile sire list by money won in 1961 and 1965. He was also a good broodmare sire, reaching his peak with a 10th-place finish on the English/Irish combined broodmare sire list in 1973. In keeping with the proclivities of his immediate female family, Nantallah was an influence for speed and precocity as a sire.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- 10th on the American general sire list in 1965.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 10th on the American general sire list in 1965.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 10th on the American general sire list in 1965.
- 10th on the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1973.
Notable progeny
Lady Dulcinea (USA), Lt. Stevens (USA), Moccasin (USA), Ridan (USA), Tallahto (USA), Thong (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Apalachee (USA), Belted Earl (USA), Canonero II (USA), Heavenly Cause (USA), Hidden Light (USA), King Pellinore (USA), Olwyn (GB), Prince True (USA), Special (USA), Thatch (USA), Tina Tina Too (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Nantallah was bred by Whitney Stone. He raced in the colors of Starmount Stable. He stood at Claiborne Farm throughout his stud career and was buried in the farm's equine cemetery.
Pedigree notes
Nantallah is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to 1961 Gazelle Handicap winner Shimmy Dancer (by Native Dancer), second dam of Grade 3 winner Robyn Dancer and third dam of Grade 3 winner Vegas Prospector. His dam Shimmer is a half sister to the excellent sprinter Rippey (by Pompey) and to Lois F. (by Tintagel), dam of juvenile stakes winner In Regards (by With Regards). In Regards, in turn, produced juvenile stakes winners Bahroona (by Poona II) and Trondheim (by Getaway II).
Stakes-placed on the track, Shimmer was produced from 1936 Demoiselle Stakes winner Broad Ripple (by Stimulus), whose half sister Bold Guess produced 1963 Hollywood Juvenile Championship winner Nevada Bin (by Binary). Another half sister to Broad Ripple, Battle Magic (by Blenheim II), produced juvenile stakes winner Spy Magic (by Spy Song). Broad Ripple and her sisters were produced from the Sir Gallahad III mare Hocus Pocus.
Last updated: August 7, 2021