Editing Northern Dancer (section)

==Breeding career==
Northern Dancer retired to [[horse breeding|stud]] in 1965 at Taylor's Windfields Farm in [[Oshawa, Ontario]], for an initial fee of $10,000.<ref name="Lennox, p. 209">Lennox, p. 209</ref> Due to his small size, a ramp was built in the breeding shed to allow Northern Dancer to service mares who were taller than him.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Allemang|first1=John|title=Northern Dancer: A smart recreation of the unexpected Kentucky Derby winner|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/northern-dancer-a-smart-recreation-of-the-unexpected-kentucky-derby-winner/article18720495/|website=The Globe and Mail|access-date=14 July 2016|date=May 16, 2014}}</ref> He was bred to 35 mares, with 21 live foals being produced in 1966. The first crop reached racing age in 1968 and was an immediate success, including [[Viceregal (horse)|Viceregal]], who was named Canadian Horse of the Year. Nine others also became [[Stakes race|stakes winners]], an "astounding" 47.6% of the crop.<ref>Hunter, pp. 127–129</ref> "His first foals ran so well," said Ed Bowen, former editor of ''The Blood-Horse''. "Northern Dancer had that aura about him right away."<ref name=Kocher />

Although his second crop produced only four stakes winners, it played a crucial role in his developing reputation. His leading performer was [[Nijinsky (horse)|Nijinsky]], who was purchased by Irish trainer [[Vincent O'Brien]] at the Canadian yearling sale for $84,000. Nijinsky went on to win the 1970 [[English Triple Crown]], the first horse to do so since 1935. Nijinsky was named Horse of the Year in England and Ireland. Meanwhile, [[Fanfreluche]] was named Canadian Horse of the Year and co-champion three year-old-filly in both Canada and the United States.<ref>Hunter, pp. 130–134</ref>

As the result of his success, Northern Dancer was relocated to the Maryland division of Windfields Farm in December 1968<ref>{{cite web |title=Maryland Horse December 1968 |date=December 1968 |publisher=Maryland Horse Breeders Association |url=https://archive.org/details/nslm-maryland-horse-december-1968 }}</ref> and was [[syndicate]]d in August 1970 for $2.4 million. Taylor retained several shares in the stallion, while other members included [[Claiborne Farm]], [[Allaire du Pont]], [[Greentree Stable|Greentree Stud]], [[J. Louis Levesque]], [[Paul Mellon]], [[Spendthrift Farm]], [[Tartan Stable|Tartan Farm]] and [[Alfred G. Vanderbilt]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Group Syndicates Northern Dancer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/08/13/archives/group-syndicates-northern-dancer-9.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=13 January 2020 |date=13 August 1970}}</ref> Each share in the syndicate provided an annual breeding right to Northern Dancer, and relatively few other breeding rights were publicly available. As a result of the scarcity of his services and his continued success, Northern Dancer's stud fee rose, slowly at first: from $10,000 (live foal) in 1965, to $15,000 (live foal) in 1969, to $25,000 (live foal) in 1971 to $35,000 ($10,000 of which was non-refundable) in 1975 to $50,000 (no guarantee) in 1978. His published fee, with no guarantee that a live foal would result, then started a rapid increase: $100,000 in 1980, $150,000 in 1981, $250,000 in 1982, $300,000 in 1983 and $500,000 in 1984. For his final years at stud (1985–1987), his breeding rights were privately negotiated,<ref name="Lennox, p. 209"/> with one season selling at auction for $1 million,<ref name="Lamoreaux">{{cite web|last1=Lamoreaux|first1=E.S. "Bud"|title=Northern Dancer, The Super Stud For All Times|url=http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/northern_dancer_the_super_stud_for_all_times/|website=Paulick Report|access-date=12 July 2016|date=26 January 2016}}</ref> an amount four to five times that of his closest rivals.<ref name=NDNYTimes>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/17/sports/horse-racing-northern-dancer-one-of-racing-s-great-sires-is-dead.html |title=Northern Dancer, One of Racing's Great Sires, Is Dead |newspaper=New York Times |date=November 17, 1990 |access-date=12 July 2016 |first=Robert McG. Jr. |last=Thomas }}</ref> By contrast, the highest North American stud fee in 2016 was $300,000 for [[Tapit]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Levinson|first1=Mason|title=Meet the $300,000-a-Pop Stud That's Dominating U.S. Horse Racing|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-30/meet-the-300-000-a-pop-stud-that-s-dominating-u-s-horse-racing|website=Bloomberg.com|access-date=12 July 2016|date=April 30, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Lyphard.jpg|thumb|Lyphard resembled his sire closely.<ref name=Lyphard />]]
Northern Dancer was one of the 20th century's most successful Thoroughbred sires.<ref name=TheStar /> From 645 named foals, he sired 411 winners (63.7%) and 147 stakes winners (22.8%).<ref name=ACP /> The 147 stakes winners was then a record.<ref name="Conway">{{cite web |last1=Conway |first1=Terry |title=Northern Dancer: The Patriarch Stallion |url=https://www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/2017-northern-dancer-the-patriarch-stallion |website=www.americasbestracing.net |access-date=3 August 2019 |date=September 28, 2017|language=en}}</ref> He was the 1971 [[leading sire in North America]] and also in 1977 when international earnings are included.<ref name=LeadingSires /> His progeny were highly sought in Europe, and he became the [[leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland]] in 1970, 1978, 1983, and 1984.<ref name="GBISires">{{cite web|title=Leading Sires of Great Britain and Ireland|url=http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/LeadingSires/GBLeadSires.html|website=Thoroughbred Heritage|access-date=7 April 2020}}</ref> Most of his progeny resembled him in size and shape: Nijinsky, who stood over {{hands|16|lk=off}}, proved the exception.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Morris|first1=Tony|title=Stamping their stock |url=http://www.juddmonte.com/news/2015/060315TonyMorrisMarch.aspx|website=Juddmonte |access-date=12 July 2016|date=March 6, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814130948/http://www.juddmonte.com/news/2015/060315TonyMorrisMarch.aspx |archive-date= Aug 14, 2016 }}</ref> They were also generally known for their balance and acceleration.<ref name=ACP />

When Northern Dancer was 20 years old (an advanced age for a stallion), his owners turned down an offer of US$40 million from a European syndicate for him. Northern Dancer's entry into stud service was ranked number 28 in "Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments", a 2006 review of American racing in the 20th century by ''The Blood-Horse'' magazine.<ref name=ACP />

===Notable progeny===
Northern Dancer's major stakes winners include:<ref name=ACP /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/21748/another-stakes-winner-for-northern-dancer |title=Another Stakes Winner for Northern Dancer |publisher=BloodHorse |date=April 8, 2004 |access-date=May 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>Lennox, pp. 191–195</ref><ref>Hunter, pp. 201–208</ref>

''c = [[colt (horse)|colt]], f = [[filly]], g = [[gelding]]''

{| class = "wikitable sortable" style="width:90%"
|- bgcolor="#eeeeee"
! width="35px" | '''Foaled'''
! width="120px" | '''Name'''
! width="35px" | '''Sex'''
! width="510px" | '''Major Wins'''
|-
|1966
|Cool Mood
|f
|[[Canadian Oaks]]. second dam of [[With Approval]] and [[Touch Gold]]
|-
|1966
|Dance Act
|g
|Canadian champion handicap horse (1970, 1971) – Jockey Club Cup, Dominion Day Handicap, Fair Play Stakes, Seagram Cup
|-
|1966
|One for All
|c
|Canadian champion turf horse (1970) – Sunset Handicap, Pan American Handicap, Canadian International
|-
|1966
|[[Viceregal (horse)|Viceregal]]
|c
|Canadian Horse of the Year (1968) – Coronation Futurity, Cup and Saucer Stakes, Summer Stakes
|-
|1967
|[[Fanfreluche (horse)|Fanfreluche]]
|f
|Canadian Horse of the Year (1970) – [[Alabama Stakes]], [[Natalma Stakes]], [[Bison City Stakes]]
|-
|1967
|[[Nijinsky (horse)|Nijinsky]]
|c
|English Horse of the Year (1970) – [[English Triple Crown]], [[King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes]], [[Irish Derby]], [[Dewhurst Stakes]]
|-
|1968
|Alma North
|f
|Cotillion Stakes, Matchmaker Handicap
|-
|1968
|[[Lauries Dancer]]
|f
|Canadian Horse of the Year (1971) – Alabama Stakes, Delaware Oaks, [[Canadian Oaks]], Bison City Stakes
|-
|1968
|Minsky
|c
|Irish champion 2yo colt (1970) – Beresford Stakes, Railway Stakes
|-
|1969
|[[Lyphard]]
|c
|[[Prix Jacques Le Marois]], [[Prix de la Forêt]]
|-
|1969
|[[Nice Dancer]]
|c
|Canadian champion 3yo colt (1972) – [[Breeders' Stakes]], Manitoba Derby
|-
|1971
|[[Northern Taste]]
|c
|[[Prix de la Forêt]]
|-
|1972
|[[Broadway Dancer]]
|f
|French champion 2yo filly (1974) – [[Prix Morny]]
|-
|1972
|Dancers Countess
|f
|[[Matchmaker Stakes]]
|-
|1974
|Dance in Time
|c
|Canadian champion 3yo colt (1977) – [[Prince of Wales Stakes]], Breeders' Stakes
|-
|1974
|Giboulee
|c
|Canadian champion older horse (1978) – Dominion Day Handicap, Virgil Handicap
|-
|1974
|[[Northernette]]
|f
|Canadian champion filly at two (1976) and three (1977) – Mazarine Stakes, Canadian Oaks, Selene Stakes, [[Apple Blossom Handicap]], Top Flight Handicap
|-
|1974
|[[The Minstrel]]
|c
|English Horse of the Year (1977) – [[Epsom Derby]], Irish Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Dewhurst Stakes
|-
|1975
|[[Try My Best]]
|c
|English and Irish champion 2yo colt (1977) – Dewhurst Stakes
|-
|1975
|White Star Line
|f
|[[Kentucky Oaks]], Delaware Oaks, Alabama Stakes
|-
|1976
|[[Northern Baby]]
|c
|[[Champion Stakes]]
|-
|1977
|[[Nureyev (horse)|Nureyev]]
|c
|French champion miler (1980) – [[Prix Djebel]]. Finished first in 2000 Guineas but was disqualified
|-
|1978
|[[Storm Bird]]
|c
|Champion 2yo colt in England and Ireland (1980) – Dewhurst Stakes, [[National Stakes]]
|-
|1979
|[[Dance Number]]
|f
|[[Beldame Stakes]]. dam of champion [[Rhythm (horse)|Rhythm]]
|-
|1979
|[[Woodstream]]
|f
|Irish champion 2yo filly (1981) – [[Moyglare Stud Stakes]], [[Cheveley Park Stakes]]
|-
|1980
|Danzatore
|c
|Irish champion 2yo colt (1982) – Beresford Stakes
|-
|1980
|[[Hero's Honor]]
|c
|[[Bowling Green Handicap]], [[United Nations Handicap]]
|-
|1980
|[[Lomond (horse)|Lomond]]
|c
|[[2000 Guineas]]
|-
|1980
|[[Shareef Dancer]]
|c
|Champion 3yo colt in England and Ireland (1983) – Irish Derby
|-
|1980
|Spit Curl
|f
|Alabama Stakes
|-
|1981
|[[El Gran Senor]]
|c
|English champion colt at two (1983) and three (1984) – 2000 Guineas, Irish Derby, Dewhurst Stakes, National Stakes
|-
|1981
|[[Northern Trick]]
|f
|French champion 3yo filly (1984) – [[Prix de Diane]], [[Prix Vermeille]]
|-
|1981
|[[Sadler's Wells (horse)|Sadler's Wells]]
|c
|French champion miler (1984) – [[Irish 2000 Guineas]], [[Eclipse Stakes]], [[Irish Champion Stakes]]
|-
|1981
|[[Secreto]]
|c
|Irish champion colt (1984) – Epsom Derby
|-
|1982
|Northern Aspen
|f
|Gamely Handicap
|-
|1983
|[[Tate Gallery (horse)|Tate Gallery]]
|c
|National Stakes
|-
|1984
|[[Ajdal]]
|c
|Champion sprinter in England and France (1987) – Dewhurst Stakes, [[July Cup]], [[William Hill Sprint Championship]], [[Vernons Sprint Cup]]
|-
|}

===Sales records===
Former [[Keeneland]] chairman [[Ted Bassett (executive)|Ted Bassett]] wrote in his autobiography that between 1974 and 1988, the sons and daughters of Northern Dancer fetched the highest prices of all sires at the yearling sales 12 times, "and that constitutes a record that may last forever."<ref name=Kocher /> Northern Dancer's yearlings also led the [[Keeneland Sales|Keeneland July Selected Yearling Sale]] by average price 12 times in the same period. In 1984, 12 yearlings by Northern Dancer sold for an unrivaled sale-record average price of [[United States dollar|US$]]3,446,666 (about ${{Inflation|US|3.45|1984|r=1}} million adjusted for inflation).<ref>{{cite web |title=Keeneland November to feature Windfields Farm, Overbrook dispersals |url=http://www.brisnet.com/content/2009/11/keeneland-november-to-feature-windfields-farm-overbrook-dispersals/ |website=Brisnet |access-date=7 April 2020 |date=9 November 2009}}</ref> Combined over a period of 22 years, the top 174 Northern Dancer offspring at the Keeneland Sales sold for a total $160 million.<ref name=NDNYTimes/> The bidding duels between [[John Magnier]] and [[Robert Sangster]] of [[Coolmore Stud]] and Sheikh [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]] of [[Darley Stud]] helped drive up the prices as both sought future breeding prospects.<ref name=Crist>{{cite web|last1=Crist|first1=Steven|title=Sheik's Coup in Sport of Kings|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/07/21/sports/sheik-s-coup-in-sport-of-kings.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=12 July 2016|date=21 July 1983}}</ref><ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|last1=Clee|first1=Nicholas|title=He's never run a race, so why pay $16m for him?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/may/07/horseracing.features|website=The Guardian|access-date=12 July 2016|date=May 7, 2006}}</ref>

Three of the most [[Thoroughbred valuation|expensive colts ever sold at public auction]] were sired by Northern Dancer: [[Snaafi Dancer]], who became the first $10-million yearling when sold to Sheikh Mohammed for $10.2 million in 1983;<ref name=Crist /> a colt out of Ballade later named Imperial Falcon, who sold for $8.25 million to Sangster in 1984;<ref>{{cite web|last1=Associated Press|title=Keeneland Sales Shatter Records|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=El0xAAAAIBAJ&pg=4603,4262079&dq=northern+dancer-ballade+colt&hl=en|publisher=Ocala Star Banner|access-date=12 July 2016|date=July 24, 1984}}</ref> and a colt out of Fabuleux Jane later named Jareer, who sold for $7.1 million to Darley Stud.<ref>{{cite web|title=Northern Dancer's Offspring Top Sales|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19840725&id=LasTAAAAIBAJ&pg=5782,5299640|publisher=Ocala Star Banner|access-date=12 July 2016|date=July 25, 1984}}</ref> Although none of these three colts was a major winner on the racetrack, the success of other high-priced yearlings like Shareef Dancer (auctioned for $3.3 million), Nureyev (auctioned for $1.3 million) and Lomond (privately sold for 1.5 million) kept demand high.<ref>Hunter, pp 146–148</ref>