Nijinsky, the exceptional racehorse, stands out as one of Canada's finest. He belonged to the second group of foals from Windfields Farm, sired by the legendary Northern Dancer and owned by EP Taylor. Page, his mother, emerged victorious in the 1962 Queen's Plate. In contrast to his father, Nijinsky was purchased at auction for a hefty sum of $84,000 and inherited his mother's impressive stature. Could he live up to his prestigious ancestry?
After moving to Ireland, Nijinsky won four races at Curragh in 1969 to start his racing career. This exceptional racing horse from Canada travelled to England after an impressive display of dominance in Ireland. His victory in the Dewhurst Stakes was truly remarkable, as he skillfully manoeuvred from the back of the pack to take the lead in the final stretch. His 1970 three-year-old season got off to a great start with wins in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Derby at Epsom. Additional victories ensued. However, Nijinsky's training was hindered by a about of ringworm in August. In September, he made a remarkable recovery and emerged victorious in the St. Leger, achieving a feat that hadn't been accomplished in 35 years - winning the prestigious English Triple Crown.
Following Nijinsky's narrow defeat in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, many raised doubts about his jockey's tactics. After a fortnight, our equine protagonist participated in the prestigious Champion Stakes. In Nijinsky's last race, he suffered a resounding defeat and performed below expectations.
The renowned Nijinsky, named Horse of the Year by Times, received high praise from jockey Lester Piggott, who hailed him as the finest horse he had ever ridden. In the year 2000, The Sun readers bestowed upon him the prestigious title of Horse of the Millennium.