Nureyev (USA)
May 2, 1977 – October 29, 2001
Northern Dancer (CAN) x Special (USA), by Forli (ARG)
Family 5-h
May 2, 1977 – October 29, 2001
Northern Dancer (CAN) x Special (USA), by Forli (ARG)
Family 5-h
Nureyev never finished behind another horse during his brief career but lost his victory in the 1980 Two Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) after the Newmarket stewards ruled he had interfered with third-place finisher Posse. He never appeared on the racecourse again but proved an excellent sire in both France and the United States.
Race record
3 starts, 2 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$42,522 (as converted from French earnings by Bloodstock Research Information Systems)
1979:
1980:
Honors
French champion miler (1980)
Assessments
Rated second among French juveniles on the 1979 Handicap Optional.
As an individual
A muscular bay horse with strong hindquarters and a straight, strong hind leg, Nureyev stood 15.2-1/2 hands. He had a brilliant turn of foot and was a good mover. He was rather light on bone and his knees were not the best. He was somewhat longer in the back than most of the Northern Dancer tribe. He had a good disposition but was extremely energetic and playful and could be dangerous because of his exuberance. He broke his right hind leg in May 1987 when he ran into his paddock fence and was given less than a 10 percent chance of survival but pulled through to continue his stud career with no loss of fertility or progeny quality.
As a stallion
Nureyev had a history of fertility problems; nonetheless, according to statistics kept by The Jockey Club, he sired 505 winners (62.7%) and 135 stakes winners (16.7%) from 806 named foals. He often transmitted less than ideal foreleg conformation and many of his progeny had temperament problems. Most excelled on turf and many made their reputations in Europe rather than North America. Nureyev is a Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per Arion (www.arion.co.nz):
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 Japan Bloodstock Information Systems (https://www.jbis.jp/ranking/):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Notable progeny
Alwuhush (USA), Annoconnor (USA), Atticus (USA), Crystal Music (USA), Fasliyev (USA), Flagbird (USA), Good Journey (USA), Gracioso (USA), Heart Lake (GB), Joyeux Danseur (USA), King Charlemagne (USA), Kitwood (USA), Mehthaaf (USA), Miesque (USA), No Matter What (USA), Oumaldaaya (USA), Pattern Step (USA), Peintre Celebre (USA), Polar Falcon (USA), Reams of Verse (USA), Senure (USA), Skimming (USA), Sonic Lady (USA), Soviet Star (USA), Special Ring (USA), Spinning World (USA), Stately Don (USA), Stravinsky (USA), Thady Quill (USA), Theatrical (IRE), Unusual Heat (USA), Wolfhound (USA), Zilzal (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Bago (FR), Baryshnikov (AUS), Big Brown (USA), Danestorm (USA), Desert King (IRE), East of the Moon (USA), Etoile Montante (USA), Gay Gallanta (USA), Jungle Pocket (JPN), Kingmambo (USA), Loup Sauvage (USA), Loup Solitaire (USA), Manistique (USA), Matiara (USA), Northern Afleet (USA), Peteski (CAN), Rebecca Sharp (GB), Riviera (FR), Sightseek (USA), Somali Lemonade (USA), Special Quest (IRE), State City (USA), Tap to Music (USA), Tates Creek (USA), To the Victory (JPN), Touch of the Blues (FR), West Wind (GB), Zabeel (NZ)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Nureyev was bred by Claiborne Farm, the lessee of his dam Special. He was owned by Stavros Niarchos, who purchased the colt for US$1.3 million from the 1978 Keeneland July yearling sale, the second-highest price for a yearling at auction up to that time. The colt was trained by François Boutin. Nureyev entered stud in 1981 at Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard. He was syndicated for US$14 million and transferred to Walmac Farm near Lexington, Kentucky, after the 1981 Northern Hemisphere breeding season. Nureyev died in October 2001 of complications from surgery a month earlier to remove a cancerous tumor from his right front hoof. He was buried at his favorite grazing spot at Walmac.
Pedigree notes
Nureyev is inbred 3x5 to two-time English leading sire Nearco, an unbeaten champion in Europe, and 4x4 to six-time English leading sire Hyperion, a dual Classic winner in England. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 2 winner Number (by Nijinsky II), dam of 1989 CIGA Grand Criterium (FR-G1) winner Jade Robbery and Grade 3 winners Numerous and Chequer (all by Mr. Prospector) and second dam of three stakes winners including Irish Group 2 winner Lizard Island. He is also a half brother to Bound (by Nijinsky II), dam of 2008 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-G1) winner Archipenko (by Kingmambo) and listed stakes winner Limit (by Cox's Ridge) and second dam of four stakes winners including 2010 American champion older male Blame.
Among Nureyev's non-stakes-winning half sisters, the most important by far is Fairy Bridge (by Bold Reason), who was impressive enough to top the Free Handicap for Irish juvenile fillies of 1977 in spite of her lack of black type. She is the dam of multiple Group 1 winner and 14-time leading English/Irish sire Sadler's Wells and 1996 French champion sire Fairy King, both by Northern Dancer. To repeated matings with Northern Dancer, she also produced 1986 BBA Ireland-Goffs National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Tate Gallery, Irish Group 3 winner Fairy Gold, and French stakes winner Puppet Dance. Nureyev's other important half sister is Kilavea (by Hawaii), dam of English Group 3 winner Kiliniski (by Niniski) and second dam of three stakes winners including multiple Grade 1 winner Bienamado.
Produced from the Nantallah mare Thong, Nureyev's dam Special is a full sister to 1972 Irish champion 2-year-old male and 1973 English champion miler Thatch and to 1974 Coronation Stakes (ENG-G2) winner Lisadell, dam of three stakes winners including 1992 Smurfit National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Fatherland (by Sadler's Wells). Special is also a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner King Pellinore (by Round Table); to stakes winner Espadrille (by Damascus), dam of multiple stakes producer Pump (by Forli); to Handsewn (by Sir Ivor), dam of Irish Group 3 winner Festival Hall (by Sadler's Wells) and Grade 3 winner Hymn (by Fairy King); and to Geiger Counter (by Mr. Prospector), a useful sire. The family traces back to the great Claiborne Farm matriarch Rough Shod II.
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: October 2, 2022
Race record
3 starts, 2 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$42,522 (as converted from French earnings by Bloodstock Research Information Systems)
1979:
- Won Prix Thomas Bryon (FR-G3, 1500mT, Longchamp)
1980:
- Won Prix Djebel (FR-L, 1400mT, Maisons-Laffitte).
- Also finished first in the Two Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1, 8FT, Newmarket) but was disqualified
Honors
French champion miler (1980)
Assessments
Rated second among French juveniles on the 1979 Handicap Optional.
As an individual
A muscular bay horse with strong hindquarters and a straight, strong hind leg, Nureyev stood 15.2-1/2 hands. He had a brilliant turn of foot and was a good mover. He was rather light on bone and his knees were not the best. He was somewhat longer in the back than most of the Northern Dancer tribe. He had a good disposition but was extremely energetic and playful and could be dangerous because of his exuberance. He broke his right hind leg in May 1987 when he ran into his paddock fence and was given less than a 10 percent chance of survival but pulled through to continue his stud career with no loss of fertility or progeny quality.
As a stallion
Nureyev had a history of fertility problems; nonetheless, according to statistics kept by The Jockey Club, he sired 505 winners (62.7%) and 135 stakes winners (16.7%) from 806 named foals. He often transmitted less than ideal foreleg conformation and many of his progeny had temperament problems. Most excelled on turf and many made their reputations in Europe rather than North America. Nureyev is a Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per Arion (www.arion.co.nz):
- 7th on the New Zealand broodmare sire list in 2010/2011.
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- 5th on the American general sire list in 1987.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 3rd on the American broodmare sire list in 2003; 6th in 2008; 8th in 2004.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 4th on the American general sire list in 1997; 5th in 1987; 9th in 1988; 10th in 1989.
- 3rd on the American broodmare sire list in 2003; 6th in 1997; 7th in 1999; 8th in 2004; 9th in 1998.
- 3rd on the combined English/Irish general sire list in 1987, 1989, and 1990; 5th in 1986; 7th in 1999.
- Led the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1997.
- Led the French general sire list in 1987 and 1997; 2nd in 1988; 5th in 1986; 8th in 1992; 9th in 1993.
- 2nd on the French broodmare sire list in 2004; 4th in 1994; 5th in 1997, 1998, and 2003; 6th in 1996; 7th in 1995; 8th in 1993; 10th in 2005.
- 4th on the Japanese broodmare sire list in 2000; 6th in 2001 and 2002.
Per Japan Bloodstock Information Systems (https://www.jbis.jp/ranking/):
- 5th on the Japanese broodmare sire list in 2006; 6th in 2001; 8th in 2002 and 2008; 10th in 2005.
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the combined English/Irish general sire list in 1997.
- Led the French general sire list in 1987 and 1997.
- Led the Irish general sire list in 1990.
Notable progeny
Alwuhush (USA), Annoconnor (USA), Atticus (USA), Crystal Music (USA), Fasliyev (USA), Flagbird (USA), Good Journey (USA), Gracioso (USA), Heart Lake (GB), Joyeux Danseur (USA), King Charlemagne (USA), Kitwood (USA), Mehthaaf (USA), Miesque (USA), No Matter What (USA), Oumaldaaya (USA), Pattern Step (USA), Peintre Celebre (USA), Polar Falcon (USA), Reams of Verse (USA), Senure (USA), Skimming (USA), Sonic Lady (USA), Soviet Star (USA), Special Ring (USA), Spinning World (USA), Stately Don (USA), Stravinsky (USA), Thady Quill (USA), Theatrical (IRE), Unusual Heat (USA), Wolfhound (USA), Zilzal (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Bago (FR), Baryshnikov (AUS), Big Brown (USA), Danestorm (USA), Desert King (IRE), East of the Moon (USA), Etoile Montante (USA), Gay Gallanta (USA), Jungle Pocket (JPN), Kingmambo (USA), Loup Sauvage (USA), Loup Solitaire (USA), Manistique (USA), Matiara (USA), Northern Afleet (USA), Peteski (CAN), Rebecca Sharp (GB), Riviera (FR), Sightseek (USA), Somali Lemonade (USA), Special Quest (IRE), State City (USA), Tap to Music (USA), Tates Creek (USA), To the Victory (JPN), Touch of the Blues (FR), West Wind (GB), Zabeel (NZ)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Nureyev was bred by Claiborne Farm, the lessee of his dam Special. He was owned by Stavros Niarchos, who purchased the colt for US$1.3 million from the 1978 Keeneland July yearling sale, the second-highest price for a yearling at auction up to that time. The colt was trained by François Boutin. Nureyev entered stud in 1981 at Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard. He was syndicated for US$14 million and transferred to Walmac Farm near Lexington, Kentucky, after the 1981 Northern Hemisphere breeding season. Nureyev died in October 2001 of complications from surgery a month earlier to remove a cancerous tumor from his right front hoof. He was buried at his favorite grazing spot at Walmac.
Pedigree notes
Nureyev is inbred 3x5 to two-time English leading sire Nearco, an unbeaten champion in Europe, and 4x4 to six-time English leading sire Hyperion, a dual Classic winner in England. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 2 winner Number (by Nijinsky II), dam of 1989 CIGA Grand Criterium (FR-G1) winner Jade Robbery and Grade 3 winners Numerous and Chequer (all by Mr. Prospector) and second dam of three stakes winners including Irish Group 2 winner Lizard Island. He is also a half brother to Bound (by Nijinsky II), dam of 2008 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-G1) winner Archipenko (by Kingmambo) and listed stakes winner Limit (by Cox's Ridge) and second dam of four stakes winners including 2010 American champion older male Blame.
Among Nureyev's non-stakes-winning half sisters, the most important by far is Fairy Bridge (by Bold Reason), who was impressive enough to top the Free Handicap for Irish juvenile fillies of 1977 in spite of her lack of black type. She is the dam of multiple Group 1 winner and 14-time leading English/Irish sire Sadler's Wells and 1996 French champion sire Fairy King, both by Northern Dancer. To repeated matings with Northern Dancer, she also produced 1986 BBA Ireland-Goffs National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Tate Gallery, Irish Group 3 winner Fairy Gold, and French stakes winner Puppet Dance. Nureyev's other important half sister is Kilavea (by Hawaii), dam of English Group 3 winner Kiliniski (by Niniski) and second dam of three stakes winners including multiple Grade 1 winner Bienamado.
Produced from the Nantallah mare Thong, Nureyev's dam Special is a full sister to 1972 Irish champion 2-year-old male and 1973 English champion miler Thatch and to 1974 Coronation Stakes (ENG-G2) winner Lisadell, dam of three stakes winners including 1992 Smurfit National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Fatherland (by Sadler's Wells). Special is also a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner King Pellinore (by Round Table); to stakes winner Espadrille (by Damascus), dam of multiple stakes producer Pump (by Forli); to Handsewn (by Sir Ivor), dam of Irish Group 3 winner Festival Hall (by Sadler's Wells) and Grade 3 winner Hymn (by Fairy King); and to Geiger Counter (by Mr. Prospector), a useful sire. The family traces back to the great Claiborne Farm matriarch Rough Shod II.
Books and media
- Nureyev is profiled in Part Five of Edward Bowen's Dynasties: Great Thoroughbred Stallions (2000, Eclipse Press).
- Nureyev is one of 75 stallions profiled in Tony Morris' Thoroughbred Stallions (1990, The Crowood Press).
- Nureyev 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
- Nureyev is named after the great Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev.
- Nureyev's disqualification in the 1980 Two Thousand Guineas was announced after 45 minutes of deliberations. It represented the first time that the winner of the race had been taken down by the stewards in the race's 178-year history.
- Following his 1987 accident, Nureyev was housed in his own specially constructed barn with direct access to a breeding shed of his own. He was never again allowed to run free and was exercised by hand walking.
- The first mare bred by Nureyev following his recovery from his accident was the Riverman mare Histoire. The resulting filly, Oumaldaaya, was the Italian champion 3-year-old filly of 1992.
Last updated: October 2, 2022