Nearctic (CAN)
February 11, 1954 – July 27, 1973
Nearco (ITY) x Lady Angela (GB), by Hyperion (GB)
Family 14-c
February 11, 1954 – July 27, 1973
Nearco (ITY) x Lady Angela (GB), by Hyperion (GB)
Family 14-c
Nearctic was blessed with great physical talent and cursed with both a persistent quarter crack and a high-strung, willful disposition. While his breeding suggested he should have stayed well, he was in fact best suited to distances of a mile or less, perhaps because of his headstrong nature. He also did not handle shipping or changes of trainer well, which hurt his chances when sent against the best American colts of his age. Nonetheless, he became a fine sire and begot an even better one in Northern Dancer, the most dominant stallion of modern times.
Race record
47 starts, 21 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds, US$152,384 (including Canadian earnings)
1956:
1957:
1958:
1959:
Honors
Assessments
Rated at 112 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American-raced juvenile males of 1956, 12 pounds below champion Barbizon.
Rated at 110 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American-raced older males of 1958, 22 pounds below co-highweights Bold Ruler and Gallant Man and 21 pounds below U. S. champion older male and Horse of the Year Round Table.
As an individual
Standing 16.1 hands, Nearctic was a handsome, strongly-made, lengthy brown horse with good rein length, good shoulders, and powerful quarters, but was troubled by a quarter crack for much of his career. According to John Aiscan of The British Racehorse, "Of all Nearco's sons with racing class, Nearctic bears the closest resemblance to his sire." High-strung and volatile, Nearctic was a free-running type who generally resented restraint. He was forced into retirement by splint trouble.
As a stallion
Nearctic led the Canadian general sire list seven times and was the leading juvenile sire in France in 1973. According to The Jockey Club, he sired 250 winners (72.5%) and 49 stakes winners (14.2%) from 345 named foals.
Notable progeny
Arctic Blizzard (CAN), Arctic Hills (CAN), Briartic (CAN), Bye and Near (CAN), Cool Reception (CAN), Explodent (CAN), Ice Water (CAN), Icecapade (USA), Nonoalco (USA), Northern Dancer (CAN), Northern Minx (CAN), Northern Queen (CAN), Not Too Shy (CAN), Quiet Charm (USA), Rouletabille (CAN)
Notable progeny of daughters
Ben Fab (CAN), Better Arbitor (USA), Henriette (MEX), Kennedy Road (CAN), La Prevoyante (CAN), Square Angel (CAN), Victoria Song (CAN), Winter's Tale (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Nearctic was bred and owned by E. P. Taylor, who imported the horse to Canada in utero. Nearctic was trained by Gordon "Pete" McCann while racing in Canada and by Charley Shaw (at 2) and Horatio Luro (at 3 and 4) while racing in the United States. He stood at Taylor's National Stud (later Windfields Farm) from 1960 until 1967, when he was syndicated for $1.05 million and sent to Woodstock Farm near Chesapeake City, Maryland. He died in 1973 and was buried at Woodstock Farm.
Pedigree notes
Nearctic is inbred 4x4 to two-time English leading broodmare sire Chaucer and 5x5x5 to both nine-time English leading sire St. Simon and 1896 Oaks Stakes winner Canterbury Pilgrim. He is a half brother to 1962 Prince of Wales Stakes winner Choperion (by Chop Chop) and to the good Canadian juvenile Lady Victoria (by Victoria Park), dam of 1974 Prix de la Forêt (FR-G1) winner and 10-time Japanese champion sire Northern Taste (by Northern Dancer) as well as stakes winners Canadian Victory (by Canadian Champ) and Tanzor (by Nijinsky II). Nearctic is also a half brother to Countess Angela (by Bull Page), dam of two-time Canadian champion Titled Hero (by Canadian Champ), second dam of 1981 Mexican champion imported 3-year-old filly Hungria, and third dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Fit for a Queen.
Nearctic's dam Lady Angela is a winning half sister to Jockey Club Stakes winner Black Peter (by Blue Peter); to Cheveley Park Stakes winner Lady Sybil (by Nearco), dam of Count Rendered; and to stakes winners Barkersgate (by Abernant) and Welsh Abbot (by Abernant). Lady Angela is also a half sister to Caerlissa (by Caerleon), dam of 1960 Derby Stakes winner St. Paddy (by Aureole), and to Sybil's Sister (by Nearco), dam of stakes winner and South African champion sire Sybil's Nephew (by Midas) and 1953 Queen Mary Stakes winner Sybil's Niece (by Admiral's Walk), dam of the good stakes winner and two-time English leading sire Great Nephew (by Honeyway). Sybil's Niece also produced 1961 Cherry Hinton Stakes winner Crepello's Daughter (by Crepello), third dam of 1992 Premio Regina Elena (Italian One Thousand Guineas, ITY-G2) winner Treasure Hope, and Great Niece (by Honeyway), third dam of 1973 Canadian champion 3-year old filly and notable producer Square Angel.
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: January 25, 2024
Race record
47 starts, 21 wins, 5 seconds, 3 thirds, US$152,384 (including Canadian earnings)
1956:
- Won Saratoga Special (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
- Won Clarendon Stakes (CAN, 5FD, Woodbine)
- Won Victoria Stakes (CAN, 5.5FD, Woodbine)
- Won Carleton Stakes (CAN, 6FD, Old Woodbine)
1957:
- Won International Handicap (CAN, 8.5FD, Fort Erie; new track record 1:43-2/5)
1958:
- Won Michigan Mile (USA, 8FD, Detroit; new track record 1:36-1/5)
- Won Canadian Maturity (CAN, 9FD, Woodbine)
- Won Greenwood Handicap (CAN, 8FD, Old Woodbine)
- Won Sandown Stakes (CAN, 7FD, Old Woodbine)
- Won Swynford Stakes (CAN, 7FD, Old Woodbine)
- Won Jacques Cartier Stakes (CAN, 6FD, Woodbine; new track record 1:09-4/5)
- Won Seaway Handicap (CAN, 6FD, Woodbine; new track record 1:09-1/5)
- Won Vigil Handicap (CAN, 5.5FD, Fort Erie)
- Won Bold Venture Handicap (CAN, 5FD, Fort Erie; new track record :58-1/5)
- 2nd Autumn Handicap (CAN, 10FD, Old Woodbine)
- 2nd Kingarvie Stakes (CAN, 9FD, Woodbine)
- 2nd Challenge Handicap (CAN, 6.5FD, Woodbine)
1959:
- Won Vigil Handicap (CAN, 6FD, Fort Erie; new track record 1:10-3/5)
Honors
- Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1977)
- Canadian Horse of the Year (1958)
- Canadian champion older male (1958)
Assessments
Rated at 112 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American-raced juvenile males of 1956, 12 pounds below champion Barbizon.
Rated at 110 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American-raced older males of 1958, 22 pounds below co-highweights Bold Ruler and Gallant Man and 21 pounds below U. S. champion older male and Horse of the Year Round Table.
As an individual
Standing 16.1 hands, Nearctic was a handsome, strongly-made, lengthy brown horse with good rein length, good shoulders, and powerful quarters, but was troubled by a quarter crack for much of his career. According to John Aiscan of The British Racehorse, "Of all Nearco's sons with racing class, Nearctic bears the closest resemblance to his sire." High-strung and volatile, Nearctic was a free-running type who generally resented restraint. He was forced into retirement by splint trouble.
As a stallion
Nearctic led the Canadian general sire list seven times and was the leading juvenile sire in France in 1973. According to The Jockey Club, he sired 250 winners (72.5%) and 49 stakes winners (14.2%) from 345 named foals.
Notable progeny
Arctic Blizzard (CAN), Arctic Hills (CAN), Briartic (CAN), Bye and Near (CAN), Cool Reception (CAN), Explodent (CAN), Ice Water (CAN), Icecapade (USA), Nonoalco (USA), Northern Dancer (CAN), Northern Minx (CAN), Northern Queen (CAN), Not Too Shy (CAN), Quiet Charm (USA), Rouletabille (CAN)
Notable progeny of daughters
Ben Fab (CAN), Better Arbitor (USA), Henriette (MEX), Kennedy Road (CAN), La Prevoyante (CAN), Square Angel (CAN), Victoria Song (CAN), Winter's Tale (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Nearctic was bred and owned by E. P. Taylor, who imported the horse to Canada in utero. Nearctic was trained by Gordon "Pete" McCann while racing in Canada and by Charley Shaw (at 2) and Horatio Luro (at 3 and 4) while racing in the United States. He stood at Taylor's National Stud (later Windfields Farm) from 1960 until 1967, when he was syndicated for $1.05 million and sent to Woodstock Farm near Chesapeake City, Maryland. He died in 1973 and was buried at Woodstock Farm.
Pedigree notes
Nearctic is inbred 4x4 to two-time English leading broodmare sire Chaucer and 5x5x5 to both nine-time English leading sire St. Simon and 1896 Oaks Stakes winner Canterbury Pilgrim. He is a half brother to 1962 Prince of Wales Stakes winner Choperion (by Chop Chop) and to the good Canadian juvenile Lady Victoria (by Victoria Park), dam of 1974 Prix de la Forêt (FR-G1) winner and 10-time Japanese champion sire Northern Taste (by Northern Dancer) as well as stakes winners Canadian Victory (by Canadian Champ) and Tanzor (by Nijinsky II). Nearctic is also a half brother to Countess Angela (by Bull Page), dam of two-time Canadian champion Titled Hero (by Canadian Champ), second dam of 1981 Mexican champion imported 3-year-old filly Hungria, and third dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Fit for a Queen.
Nearctic's dam Lady Angela is a winning half sister to Jockey Club Stakes winner Black Peter (by Blue Peter); to Cheveley Park Stakes winner Lady Sybil (by Nearco), dam of Count Rendered; and to stakes winners Barkersgate (by Abernant) and Welsh Abbot (by Abernant). Lady Angela is also a half sister to Caerlissa (by Caerleon), dam of 1960 Derby Stakes winner St. Paddy (by Aureole), and to Sybil's Sister (by Nearco), dam of stakes winner and South African champion sire Sybil's Nephew (by Midas) and 1953 Queen Mary Stakes winner Sybil's Niece (by Admiral's Walk), dam of the good stakes winner and two-time English leading sire Great Nephew (by Honeyway). Sybil's Niece also produced 1961 Cherry Hinton Stakes winner Crepello's Daughter (by Crepello), third dam of 1992 Premio Regina Elena (Italian One Thousand Guineas, ITY-G2) winner Treasure Hope, and Great Niece (by Honeyway), third dam of 1973 Canadian champion 3-year old filly and notable producer Square Angel.
Books and media
- Dark Horse, a biography of Nearctic, was written by Muriel Lennox and was published in 2001 by Beach House Books.
- Nearctic is one of 205 stallions whose accomplishments at stud are profiled in Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, The Australian Bloodhorse Review), a massive reference work written by Jennifer Churchill, Andrew Reichard and Byron Rogers.
Fun facts
- In science, the Nearctic ecological zone includes all of North America and Greenland except for South Florida and the tropical portions of Mexico.
- Lady Angela was carrying Nearctic's older full brother Empire Day when she was bought by E. P. Taylor from the 1952 Newmarket December sale. Taylor's condition for buying her was a return season to Nearco, which he got only by agreeing to pay the stud fee in $3,000 in U.S. dollars so that Nearco's owner Martin Benson could avoid English currency restrictions and have plenty of spending cash for his annual vacation in Palm Beach, Florida.
- In common with all of Taylor's other yearlings, Nearctic was offered at a preset price at the annual Windfields yearling sale. In his case, the asking price was CAN$35,000—an astronomical price by Canadian standards of the time—and Nearctic remained in Taylor's possession (as was probably Taylor's intention all along).
- The mating of Nearctic to Natalma that produced Northern Dancer was purely a matter of convenience as Natalma had been sidelined from training due to a knee chip and Nearctic needed mares to fill his first book. Natalma was put to him on June 28, 1960, on the grounds that if she didn't get pregnant, she could always undergo knee surgery and go back into training.
- Nearctic's trainer Pete McCann was so fond of the horse that when one of Nearctic's races conflicted with his middle daughter's wedding, McCann went to saddle his horse rather than walking his daughter down the aisle. (He did show up for the reception.)
- The Nearctic Stakes is a Canadian Grade 2 race for horses 3 years old and older. As of 2023, it is carded at 6 furlongs on turf.
Last updated: January 25, 2024