Niniski
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Niniski (15 February 1976 – November 1998) was an American-bred, British-trained
Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...
racehorse and
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. In a racing career which lasted from October 1978 until October 1980, he ran fourteen times and won six races. After showing some promise in his early races he emerged as a top-class stayer in the autumn on 1979, winning the
Geoffrey Freer Stakes The Geoffrey Freer Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 1 mile, 5 furlongs and 61 yards (2,671 m ...
, Irish St. Leger and Prix Royal-Oak. In the spring of 1981 he won the John Porter Stakes and the
Ormonde Stakes The Ormonde Stakes is a Group races, Group 3 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile, 5&n ...
but was beaten in his three remaining races. He was retired to stud where he became a very successful breeding stallion.


Background

Niniski was a bay horse with a white blaze and three white
socks A sock is a piece of clothing worn on the feet and often covering the ankle or some part of the Calf (leg), calf. Some types of shoes or boots are typically worn over socks. In ancient times, socks were made from leather or matted animal hair. ...
, bred in Kentucky by Caper Hill Farm Inc. Niniski was sired by Nijinsky, the Canadian-bred winner of the English Triple Crown in 1970 who went on to become an important breeding stallion, siring horses such as
Ferdinand Ferdinand is a Germanic name composed of the elements "journey, travel", Proto-Germanic , abstract noun from root "to fare, travel" (PIE , "to lead, pass over"), and "courage" or "ready, prepared" related to Old High German "to risk, ventu ...
,
Lammtarra Lammtarra (2 February 1992 7 July 2014) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He ran only four times and retired undefeated. Lammtarra won three Group One races in 1995, in which year he was voted the Cartier Champion T ...
, Sky Classic and
Shahrastani Shahrastani may refer to: *al-Shahrastani Tāj al-Dīn Abū al-Fath Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Karīm ash-Shahrastānī (; 1086–1153 CE), also known as Muhammad al-Shahrastānī, was an influential Persian historian of religions, a historiograp ...
. Niniski's dam Virginia Hills was a granddaughter of the
Fashion Stakes The Fashion Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-old fillies. Raced on dirt over a distance of five furlongs, it was run annually from 1889 through 2005. Inaugurated at Morris Park Racecourse in Westchester County, New Yor ...
winner Ridin' Easy, herself a descendant of the
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe () is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris over a distance ...
winner Pearl Cap, making her a distant relative of Pearl Diver, Belmez, Lypharita (
Prix de Diane The Prix de Diane, sometimes referred to as the French Oaks, is one of the most important and prestigious Group 1 horse races in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at C ...
), Fine Pearl (Prix de Diane) and Yelapa (
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). As a yearling the colt was sent to the sales at Saratoga and bought by representatives of Lady Beaverbrook for $90,000. Lady Beaverbrook was considered an eccentric character who gave most of her horses names consisting of one word with seven letters ( Bustino, Terimon, Boldboy, Niniski, Mystiko, Petoski), as this was the most common form for Derby winners. The colt was sent to Europe where he was trained by
Dick Hern William Richard Hern (20 January 1921 – 22 May 2002) was an English Thoroughbred racehorse trainer and winner of sixteen British Classic Races between 1962 and 1995, and was Champion Trainer on four occasions. Following his early caree ...
at
West Ilsley West Ilsley is a village and civil parish in Berkshire, England. The population of the village at the 2011 United Kingdom Census, 2011 Census was 332. Location and amenities It is situated in West Berkshire, north of Newbury, Berkshire, Newbur ...
in
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.


Racing career


1978: two-year-old season

Shortly after his arrival in Europe, Niniski contracted
pneumonia Pneumonia is an Inflammation, inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as Pulmonary alveolus, alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of Cough#Classification, productive or dry cough, ches ...
and almost died. He was not seriously trained as a two-year-old and did not race until October. He made his only appearance of 1978 in a six
furlong A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and United States customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to any of 660 foot (unit), feet, 220 yards, 40 rod (unit), rods, 10 chain (unit), chains, or a ...
maiden race In horse racing, a maiden race is an event for horses that have not won a race. Horses that have not won a race are referred to as maidens. Maiden horse races are held over a variety of distances and under conditions with eligibility based on the s ...
at
Newbury Racecourse Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse and events venue in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury, Berkshire, Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps. It hosts one of Great Britain's List of ...
in which he finished twelfth of the twenty-three runners behind Martial Arts.


1979: three-year-old season

Niniski began his second season by recording his first success against a large field in a maiden race over one mile at
Newmarket Racecourse Newmarket Racecourse is a British Thoroughbred horse racing venue in Newmarket, Suffolk, Newmarket, Suffolk, comprising two individual racecourses: the Rowley Mile and the July Course. Newmarket is often referred to as the headquarters of ...
. In his next race, he ran in the Glasgow Stakes over ten and a half furlongs at
York York is a cathedral city in North Yorkshire, England, with Roman Britain, Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers River Ouse, Yorkshire, Ouse and River Foss, Foss. It has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a Yor ...
in May in which he was beaten a head by the
Peter Walwyn Peter Tyndall Walwyn, (1 July 1933 – 7 December 2017) was a British racehorse trainer. He was based at stables in the Lambourn, Berkshire, area and enjoyed his period of greatest success in the mid-1970s when he was British flat racing Cha ...
-trained New Berry. On 6 June, Ninisiki started an 80/1 outsider for the 200th running of the
Derby Stakes The Derby Stakes, more commonly known as the Derby and sometimes referred to as the Epsom Derby, is a Group races, Group 1 flat Horse racing, horse race in England open to three-year-old Colt (horse), colts and Filly, fillies. It is run at Ep ...
over one and a half miles at
Epsom Downs Racecourse Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse in a hilly area near Epsom in Surrey, England which is used for thoroughbred horse racing. The "Downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs. The course has a crowd capacity of 130,000 including ...
and finished ninth of the twenty-three runners behind his stablemate
Troy Troy (/; ; ) or Ilion (; ) was an ancient city located in present-day Hisarlik, Turkey. It is best known as the setting for the Greek mythology, Greek myth of the Trojan War. The archaeological site is open to the public as a tourist destina ...
. In his next appearance, Niniski finished second by three quarters of a length to More Light, another Hern trainee, in the Group Three Gordon Stakes over one and a half miles at Goodwood. Niniski won five of his next six races. In August he was moved up in distance and tried against older horses for the first time in the Group Two Geoffrey Freer Stakes over thirteen and a half furlongs at Newbury. Ridden by
Willie Carson William Fisher Hunter Carson, OBE (born 16 November 1942) is a retired jockey in thoroughbred horse racing. Life and career Best known as "Willie", Carson was born in Stirling, Scotland in 1942. He was apprenticed ...
, he raced towards the back of the seven runner field before making steady progress in the straight. He took the lead approaching the final furlong and drew away in the closing stages to win by three lengths from the four-year-old M-Lolshan, the winner of the Irish St. Leger and
Grosser Preis von Baden The Grosser Preis von Baden is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Baden-Baden over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), taking plac ...
. At
Doncaster Racecourse Doncaster Racecourse (also known as the Town Moor course) is a racecourse in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. It hosts two of Great Britain's List of British flat horse races#Group 1, 36 annual Group One, Group 1 flat races, the St Leger ...
in September, Niniski started co-favourite for the 203rd running of the
St Leger Stakes The St Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over ...
. Ridden again by Carson, he took the lead early in the straight but tired in the closing stages and finished third behind the French colts
Son of Love Son of Love (foaled 24 April 1976) was a French Thoroughbred horse racing, racehorse best known for winning the British Classic Races, classic St Leger Stakes in 1979. After winning two races (including the Prix Isonomy) as a two-year-old, the ho ...
and Soleil Noir. On 13 October, Niniski was sent to the
Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse is a flat racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland. The racecourse is home to Ireland’s five most important flat races, known as the Irish Classic Races, Classics. Racing takes place 23 days each year from the end of March ...
to contest the Irish St. Leger. Starting the 11/10 favourite, he drew away from his opponents in the final quarter mile to win by ten lengths from Torus. The independent
Timeform Timeform is a sports data and content provider located in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. Founded in 1948, it provides systematic information on form to punters and others involved in the horse racing industry. The company was purchased by th ...
organisation commented that "there can seldom have been a more decisive winner". Two weeks later Niniski started 7/5 favourite for the Prix Royal Oak, France's equivalent of the St Leger, run over 3100 metres at
Longchamp Racecourse The Longchamp Racecourse (, ) is a 57 hectare horse-racing facility located on the Route des Tribunes at the Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, 16th arrondissement of Paris, France. It is used for flat racing and is noted for ...
. The 1979 edition of the race was the first to be open to older horses, having previously being restricted to three-year-olds. Niniski appeared to be struggling at half way but rallied and turned into the straight in third place. He took the lead inside the last 400 metres and held on to win by one and a half lengths from the filly Anifa (later to win the Turf Classic). Niniski became the first foreign-trained horse to win the race since 1962 and the first to complete the Irish St. Leger/ Prix Royal Oak double.


1980: four-year-old season

On his four-year-old debut, Niniski was brought back in distance for the John Porter Stakes over one and a half miles at Newbury in April and started at odds of 2/1. He looked beaten when boxed in on the rail approaching the last quarter mile and when Carson had to switch to the outside of the field to obtain a clear run he was eight lengths behind the leaders. Niniski produced an unexpected burst of acceleration, taking the lead inside the final furlong and winning by three lengths from Morse Code. In the Ormonde Stakes at
Chester Racecourse Chester Racecourse, also known as the Roodee, is a racecourse located in Chester, England. The horse racing venue is officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the "oldest racecourse still in operation". Horse racing in Chester dates ...
a month later, he was made the 4/7 favourite but was less impressive, winning narrowly from Two of Diamonds and Son Fils. At Epsom in June, Niniski started favourite for the Group One
Coronation Cup The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 yards ...
, but after being held up by Carson in the early stages he was never able to get to the leader Sea Chimes and finished second, beaten two and a half lengths. Timeform commented that he appeared to be uncomfortable on the firm ground. Niniski did not reappear until the
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe () is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris over a distance ...
at Longchamp on 5 October. Ridden by
Joe Mercer Joseph Mercer (9 August 1914 – 9 August 1990) was an English footballer and manager. Mercer, who played as a defender for Everton and Arsenal in his footballing career, also went on to manage Aston Villa and Manchester City, and was the ...
he started at odds of 21/1 and finished thirteenth of the twenty runners behind
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. On his final appearance, Niniski started the 4/1 third favourite as he attempted to repeat his 1979 success in the Prix Royal Oak. He finished sixth of the thirteen runners, five length behind the winner Gold River.


Assessment

In 1978 the independent
Timeform Timeform is a sports data and content provider located in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. Founded in 1948, it provides systematic information on form to punters and others involved in the horse racing industry. The company was purchased by th ...
organisation did not give Niniski a rating, but awarded him a "p", indicating that he was likely to make more than usual improvement, commenting that he would "do better over middle distances at 3 yrs". In the following year he was rated 125 by Timeform, twelve pounds behind Troy. In the official International Classification he was also rated twelve pounds behind Troy, making him the sixth-best British-trained colt of his generation. In 1980, Niniski was rated 118 by Timeform. Dick Hern said that Niniski was "as game and genuine as any horse I ever handled. He was also very sound and easy to train".


Stud record

Niniski was retired from racing at the end of the 1980 season and began his career as a breeding stallion at the Lanwades Stud at Newmarket, standing at a fee of £2,500. He made an immediate impact at stud, siring the champion two-year-old Kala Dancer and the
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot ...
winner Petoski in his first crop of foals and was the leading first-season sire in 1984. His other progeny included Hernando, Minster Son, Caitano ( Premio Presidente della Repubblica, Aral-Pokal), Sapience (
Ebor Handicap The Ebor Handicap is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile 5 furlongs and 188 yards (2,787 metres). It i ...
), Assessor, San Sebastian and the multiple Group One winner Lomitas (sire of Danedream). Niniski was
euthanised Animal euthanasia (euthanasia from ; "good death") is the act of killing an animal humanely, most commonly with injectable drugs. Reasons for euthanasia include incurable (and especially painful) conditions or diseases, lack of resources to con ...
in 1998.
Kirsten Rausing Kirsten Elisbet Rausing, DL (born 6 June 1952) is a Swedish businesswoman, who owns a third of the holding company Tetra Laval and sits on the company board alongside other members of her family. She was listed as the 150th richest individual ...
, the owner of the Lanwades stud said: "It is entirely to Niniski that I owe the success of Lanwades Stud. I will be forever grateful to him".


Pedigree


References

{{reflist 1976 racehorse births 1998 racehorse deaths Racehorses bred in Kentucky Racehorses trained in the United Kingdom Thoroughbred family 16-b Chefs-de-Race