Generally considered the best Argentine colt of his generation, Nigromante did not stay as well as his chief rival Doubtless (the only horse ever to defeat him) but had more raw speed. He became a very good stallion in his native land but was more uneven in his production after his export to the United States in late 1957.
Race record
8 starts, 6 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
1947:
Honors
1947/48 Argentine champion 3-year-old male
As an individual
A tall, high-headed chestnut horse, Nigromante had a well-laid shoulder and strong hindquarters.
As a stallion
Records maintained by The Jockey Club credit Nigromante with 72 winners (42.1%) and 30 stakes winners (17.5%) from 171 named foals, but records of his Argentine-bred foals may be incomplete.
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):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Notable progeny
Ansiedad (ARG), Black Sheep (USA), Candy Spots (USA), Marista (ARG), Niquel (ARG), Solito (ARG)
Notable progeny of daughters
Flying Target (USA)
Connections
Nigromante was bred by Haras Chapadmalal, the breeding operation of Clemente Zavaleta and Ernesto Pueyrredon. He raced for Caballeriza Los Patrios. He stood at Haras El Bagual before being purchased by Rex Ellsworth and imported to the United States. After his importation, he stood at Ellsworth Ranch in California, where he died of a ruptured aorta in April 1962.
Pedigree notes
Nigromante is inbred 5x5 to unbeaten racing champion and nine-time English/Irish champion sire St. Simon. He is a full brother to Argentine champion 3-year-old filly Niña Bruja, who was also imported to the United States and produced 1959 McLennan Handicap winner Sharpsburg (by Alibhai). Niña Bruja also produced Mark-Ye-Maid (by Mark-Ye-Well), dam of Grade III winner Go March (by Go Marching) and stakes winner Rock of Ages (by Tell) and second dam of 1982 Hollywood Oaks (USA-G1) winner Tango Dancer and 1983 Gran Premio 25 de Mayo (ARG-G1) winner Juez de Pan.
Niguá, the dam of Nigromante, is by 1929 Royal Hunt Cup winner Songe (also a multiple stakes winner in France) out of Nitouche (by Saint Wolf), a full sister to 1925 Gran Premio Selección (Argentine Oaks) winner Nena (dam of multiple stakes winner Nena Linda, by Re-Echo) and to Noria, third dam of 1955 Gran Premio Selección winner Nyleptha. The sisters are out of the Polar Star mare Nenette, in turn a daughter of the Stiletto mare La Verde. The line traces back to Clementina, who (if Clemence is accepted as the dam of Bend Or; see The Mystery of Bend Or) is a full sister to 1880 Derby Stakes winner and important sire Bend Or.
Fun facts
Last updated: June 15, 2022
Race record
8 starts, 6 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
1947:
- Won Polla de Potrillos (ARG, 1600m, Palermo)
- Won Gran Premio Jockey Club (ARG, 2000m, Palermo)
- Won Gran Premio Montevideo (ARG)
- Won Premio General Guemes (ARG)
- Won Premio Guillermo Kemmis (ARG)
- Won Premio Miguel Cane (ARG)
- 2nd Gran Premio Nacional (ARG, 2500m, Palermo)
- 2nd Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (ARG, 3000mT, San Isidro)
Honors
1947/48 Argentine champion 3-year-old male
As an individual
A tall, high-headed chestnut horse, Nigromante had a well-laid shoulder and strong hindquarters.
As a stallion
Records maintained by The Jockey Club credit Nigromante with 72 winners (42.1%) and 30 stakes winners (17.5%) from 171 named foals, but records of his Argentine-bred foals may be incomplete.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- 3rd on the American general sire list in 1963.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 3rd on the American general sire list in 1963.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 3rd on the American general sire list in 1963.
- Led the Argentine general sire list in 1957; 3rd in 1958 and 1961; 5th in 1955; 6th in 1960; 7th in 1956; 8th in 1959.
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the Argentine general sire list in 1957.
Notable progeny
Ansiedad (ARG), Black Sheep (USA), Candy Spots (USA), Marista (ARG), Niquel (ARG), Solito (ARG)
Notable progeny of daughters
Flying Target (USA)
Connections
Nigromante was bred by Haras Chapadmalal, the breeding operation of Clemente Zavaleta and Ernesto Pueyrredon. He raced for Caballeriza Los Patrios. He stood at Haras El Bagual before being purchased by Rex Ellsworth and imported to the United States. After his importation, he stood at Ellsworth Ranch in California, where he died of a ruptured aorta in April 1962.
Pedigree notes
Nigromante is inbred 5x5 to unbeaten racing champion and nine-time English/Irish champion sire St. Simon. He is a full brother to Argentine champion 3-year-old filly Niña Bruja, who was also imported to the United States and produced 1959 McLennan Handicap winner Sharpsburg (by Alibhai). Niña Bruja also produced Mark-Ye-Maid (by Mark-Ye-Well), dam of Grade III winner Go March (by Go Marching) and stakes winner Rock of Ages (by Tell) and second dam of 1982 Hollywood Oaks (USA-G1) winner Tango Dancer and 1983 Gran Premio 25 de Mayo (ARG-G1) winner Juez de Pan.
Niguá, the dam of Nigromante, is by 1929 Royal Hunt Cup winner Songe (also a multiple stakes winner in France) out of Nitouche (by Saint Wolf), a full sister to 1925 Gran Premio Selección (Argentine Oaks) winner Nena (dam of multiple stakes winner Nena Linda, by Re-Echo) and to Noria, third dam of 1955 Gran Premio Selección winner Nyleptha. The sisters are out of the Polar Star mare Nenette, in turn a daughter of the Stiletto mare La Verde. The line traces back to Clementina, who (if Clemence is accepted as the dam of Bend Or; see The Mystery of Bend Or) is a full sister to 1880 Derby Stakes winner and important sire Bend Or.
Fun facts
- “Nigromante” is the Spanish word for the English “necromancer,” a person who practices magic via communication with the dead or exercising power over the dead.
Last updated: June 15, 2022