Dayjur (USA)
February 6, 1987 – September 25, 2013
Danzig (USA) x Gold Beauty (USA), by Mr. Prospector (USA)
Family 1-g
February 6, 1987 – September 25, 2013
Danzig (USA) x Gold Beauty (USA), by Mr. Prospector (USA)
Family 1-g
The second foal of 1982 American champion sprinter Gold Beauty, Dayjur was an even better sprinter. Drawing on speed from both sides of his pedigree, he was so brilliant in his division that he was named England’s Horse of the Year for 1990, a rare honor for a pure sprinter. Still remembered as one of the most brilliant speed horses ever seen in Europe, he was moderately successful as a stallion.
Race record
11 starts, 7 wins, 3 seconds, 0 thirds, US$819,904 (including converted earnings from England and France).
1989:
1990:
Honors
Assessments
Highweighted in France in the 5-7 furlong category in 1990.
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American male sprinters of 1990, 2 pounds below champion Housebuster.
Rated at 137 pounds by Timeform as a 3-year-old, the highest rating for any European runner of that year.
In their book A Century of Champions (1999, Portway Press Ltd.), British experts John Randall and Tony Morris rated Dayjur as the best racehorse foaled in 1987 and the fifth best British sprinter of the 20th century.
As an individual
A robust, muscular dark bay or brown horse of sprinting type with strong hindquarters, Dayjur stood 15.3 hands. He held his condition well between races and proved adept over both turf and dirt. He performed best when allowed to race on or near the lead. He was not an easy horse to train, routinely buck-jumping and kicking on his way to the gallops, but according to Shadwell Farm vice president Rick Nichols, he was “a wonderful horse to be around.”
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Dayjur sired 311 winners (55.0%) and 27 stakes winners (4.8%) from 565 named foals. The Daily Racing Form’s obituary on the stallion credited him with 30 stakes winners.
Notable progeny
Asfurah (USA), Eyjur (USA), Hayil (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Confidential Lady (GB), Elusive City (USA), Giant Ryan (USA), In Summation (USA), Tizway (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Dayjur was bred by Georgia Hofmann. He raced in the colors of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who bought the colt for US$1.65 million at the 1988 Keeneland July yearling sale. Dayjur was trained by Major R. J. “Dick” Hern and was ridden throughout his career by Willie Carson. Retired from racing after the 1990 season, Dayjur stood his entire stud career at his owner’s Shadwell Farm in Kentucky. He was officially pensioned from stud duty on January 18, 2010, and was euthanized due to the infirmities of old age in September 2013.
Pedigree notes
Dayjur is inbred 4x4 to two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer. He is a full brother to Elhasna (by Danzig), dam of multiple stakes winners Karis Makaw (by Charismatic) and Nationhood (by Cherokee Run). He is also a half brother to Grade 1 sire Gold Legend (by Seattle Slew) and to multiple Grade 1 winner Maplejinsky (by Nijinsky II), dam of 1994 American champion older female Sky Beauty (by Blushing Groom) and second dam of 2005 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (USA-G1) winner Pleasant Home, multiple Grade 1 winner Tale of Ekati, multiple Grade 2 winner Country Hideaway, Grade 3 winner Tale of Silence, and English Group 3 winner Hurricane Cat. The last-named horse was exported to Argentina for stud duty and received the 2017 Pellegrini Award as “Stallion of the Year.” Maplejinsky is also the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winners Pine Island and Point of Entry, 2024 Premio Mil Guineas Maria Luisa Solari (CHI-G1) winner Ando Soltera, Grade/Group 2 winners Boca Grande and Toy Soltero, and Grade/Group 3 winners Birdie Birdie, Vacation, Weyburn, and Yorkton.
Dayjur and his siblings were produced from 1982 American champion sprinter Gold Beauty (by Mr. Prospector), whose full sister Sticky Prospect is the second dam of 2003 Gran Premio San Isidro (ARG-G1) winner Question and the third dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Querida Dubai. Gold Beauty is also a half sister to Grade 2 winner The Prime Minister (by Deputy Minister), Grade 2-placed stakes winner Majestic Venture (by Majestic Prince), listed stakes winner Miraloma (by Deputy Minister), and listed stakes winner Storm Beauty (by Storm Cat), dam of Grade 3 winner Buffum (by Bernardini) and multiple stakes winner Stormy West (by Gone West) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Oxy Lady. In addition, Gold Beauty is a half sister to Poster Beauty (by Codex), dam of multiple Irish listed stakes winner Ailleacht (by Chief's Crown), and to Misconduct (by Criminal Type), dam of Grade 2-placed listed stakes winner Cat Charmer (by Storm Cat), second dam of Grade 2 winner Strike Charmer, and third dam of Grade 2 winner Subconscious. Finally, Gold Beauty is a half sister to Raise a Beauty (by Alydar), dam of Grade 3 winner Iron Mask (by Danzig) and third dam of French Group 3 winners Ameenah and Sofast.
Gold Beauty and her siblings were produced from the stakes-winning Illustrious mare Stick to Beauty. A half sister to stakes winner Be a Rullah (by Raise a Native), Stick to Beauty is out of the unraced Hail to Reason mare Hail to Beauty, whose half sister Primper (by Art Market) produced 1978 Mother Goose Stakes (USA-G1) winner Caesar’s Wish (by Proudest Roman). The next dam in the tail-female line, Lipstick (by Stymie), is a full sister to Pretty Ways, whose son Understanding (by Promised Land; winner of the 1966 Stuyvesant Handicap) is the broodmare sire of the great racer and sire Sunday Silence.
Books and media
Footage of Dayjur's epic duel with Safely Kept in the 1990 Breeders' Cup Sprint can be accessed through his page at the QIPCO British Champion Series Hall of Fame (https://horseracinghof.com/hall-of-famers/dayjur/).
Fun facts
Photo credit
Top: Portrait photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Shadwell Farm in 2007. Used by permission.
Bottom: Photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Shadwell Farm in 2007. Used by permission.
Race record
11 starts, 7 wins, 3 seconds, 0 thirds, US$819,904 (including converted earnings from England and France).
1989:
- 2nd Manton Rose Bowl Stakes (ENG, 6FD, Newbury)
1990:
- Won Keeneland Nunthorpe Stakes (ENG-G1, 5FT, York; NCR :56.16)
- Won Ladbroke Sprint Cup (ENG-G1, 6FT, Haydock)
- Won CIGA P. de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (FR-G1, 1000mT, Longchamp)
- Won Sears Temple Stakes (ENG-G2, 5FT, Sandown)
- Won King's Stand Stakes (ENG-G2, 5FT, Ascot)
- 2nd Breeders' Cup Sprint (USA-G1, 6FT, Belmont)
Honors
- QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame (inducted in 2001)
- English Horse of the Year (1990)
- English champion 3-year-old male (1990)
- English champion sprinter (1990)
Assessments
Highweighted in France in the 5-7 furlong category in 1990.
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American male sprinters of 1990, 2 pounds below champion Housebuster.
Rated at 137 pounds by Timeform as a 3-year-old, the highest rating for any European runner of that year.
In their book A Century of Champions (1999, Portway Press Ltd.), British experts John Randall and Tony Morris rated Dayjur as the best racehorse foaled in 1987 and the fifth best British sprinter of the 20th century.
As an individual
A robust, muscular dark bay or brown horse of sprinting type with strong hindquarters, Dayjur stood 15.3 hands. He held his condition well between races and proved adept over both turf and dirt. He performed best when allowed to race on or near the lead. He was not an easy horse to train, routinely buck-jumping and kicking on his way to the gallops, but according to Shadwell Farm vice president Rick Nichols, he was “a wonderful horse to be around.”
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Dayjur sired 311 winners (55.0%) and 27 stakes winners (4.8%) from 565 named foals. The Daily Racing Form’s obituary on the stallion credited him with 30 stakes winners.
Notable progeny
Asfurah (USA), Eyjur (USA), Hayil (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Confidential Lady (GB), Elusive City (USA), Giant Ryan (USA), In Summation (USA), Tizway (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Dayjur was bred by Georgia Hofmann. He raced in the colors of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who bought the colt for US$1.65 million at the 1988 Keeneland July yearling sale. Dayjur was trained by Major R. J. “Dick” Hern and was ridden throughout his career by Willie Carson. Retired from racing after the 1990 season, Dayjur stood his entire stud career at his owner’s Shadwell Farm in Kentucky. He was officially pensioned from stud duty on January 18, 2010, and was euthanized due to the infirmities of old age in September 2013.
Pedigree notes
Dayjur is inbred 4x4 to two-time American Horse of the Year Native Dancer. He is a full brother to Elhasna (by Danzig), dam of multiple stakes winners Karis Makaw (by Charismatic) and Nationhood (by Cherokee Run). He is also a half brother to Grade 1 sire Gold Legend (by Seattle Slew) and to multiple Grade 1 winner Maplejinsky (by Nijinsky II), dam of 1994 American champion older female Sky Beauty (by Blushing Groom) and second dam of 2005 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (USA-G1) winner Pleasant Home, multiple Grade 1 winner Tale of Ekati, multiple Grade 2 winner Country Hideaway, Grade 3 winner Tale of Silence, and English Group 3 winner Hurricane Cat. The last-named horse was exported to Argentina for stud duty and received the 2017 Pellegrini Award as “Stallion of the Year.” Maplejinsky is also the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winners Pine Island and Point of Entry, 2024 Premio Mil Guineas Maria Luisa Solari (CHI-G1) winner Ando Soltera, Grade/Group 2 winners Boca Grande and Toy Soltero, and Grade/Group 3 winners Birdie Birdie, Vacation, Weyburn, and Yorkton.
Dayjur and his siblings were produced from 1982 American champion sprinter Gold Beauty (by Mr. Prospector), whose full sister Sticky Prospect is the second dam of 2003 Gran Premio San Isidro (ARG-G1) winner Question and the third dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Querida Dubai. Gold Beauty is also a half sister to Grade 2 winner The Prime Minister (by Deputy Minister), Grade 2-placed stakes winner Majestic Venture (by Majestic Prince), listed stakes winner Miraloma (by Deputy Minister), and listed stakes winner Storm Beauty (by Storm Cat), dam of Grade 3 winner Buffum (by Bernardini) and multiple stakes winner Stormy West (by Gone West) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Oxy Lady. In addition, Gold Beauty is a half sister to Poster Beauty (by Codex), dam of multiple Irish listed stakes winner Ailleacht (by Chief's Crown), and to Misconduct (by Criminal Type), dam of Grade 2-placed listed stakes winner Cat Charmer (by Storm Cat), second dam of Grade 2 winner Strike Charmer, and third dam of Grade 2 winner Subconscious. Finally, Gold Beauty is a half sister to Raise a Beauty (by Alydar), dam of Grade 3 winner Iron Mask (by Danzig) and third dam of French Group 3 winners Ameenah and Sofast.
Gold Beauty and her siblings were produced from the stakes-winning Illustrious mare Stick to Beauty. A half sister to stakes winner Be a Rullah (by Raise a Native), Stick to Beauty is out of the unraced Hail to Reason mare Hail to Beauty, whose half sister Primper (by Art Market) produced 1978 Mother Goose Stakes (USA-G1) winner Caesar’s Wish (by Proudest Roman). The next dam in the tail-female line, Lipstick (by Stymie), is a full sister to Pretty Ways, whose son Understanding (by Promised Land; winner of the 1966 Stuyvesant Handicap) is the broodmare sire of the great racer and sire Sunday Silence.
Books and media
Footage of Dayjur's epic duel with Safely Kept in the 1990 Breeders' Cup Sprint can be accessed through his page at the QIPCO British Champion Series Hall of Fame (https://horseracinghof.com/hall-of-famers/dayjur/).
Fun facts
- Dayjur’s name means “darkness” in Arabic.
- While Dayjur was wintering following his 2-year-old season, his racing career was threatened by a severe tendon cut to a hind leg. The injury was caused by a piece of metal that had fallen off a tractor in the area where the colt was being trotted for exercise. Dayjur was also operated on to correct a breathing problem that winter. Fortunately, he recovered beautifully from both injury and surgery.
- Dayjur’s only race on dirt was in the 1990 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. After dueling with 1989 American champion sprinter Safely Kept from the backstretch on, Dayjur had assumed a short lead and appeared to be edging away when he jumped a shadow on the track in deep stretch. The break in his action allowed Safely Kept to regain the lead, which she held to the wire. Later on, a colt from Dayjur’s first crop was given the name “Jump the Shadow” in memory of this incident. (One of the more bizarre editions of the Sprint on record, the 1990 race was also marred by the deaths of Mr. Nickerson, who died of an apparent heart attack during the first quarter of the race, and Shaker Knit, who fell over Mr. Nickerson when he collapsed and sustained fatal injuries.)
- The Breeders’ Cup Sprint was not the only race in which Dayjur spooked at a shadow. He had also done so in the 1990 CIGA Prix de l‘Abbaye de Longchamp but was so superior to his rivals there that he still won by two lengths, geared down.
- Dayjur’s trainer, Dick Hern, supervised the colt’s conditioning from a wheelchair as he had been paralyzed from the waist down in a hunting accident six years earlier.
Photo credit
Top: Portrait photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Shadwell Farm in 2007. Used by permission.
Bottom: Photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Shadwell Farm in 2007. Used by permission.
Last updated: November 17, 2024