Green Dancer
Encyclopedia
Green Dancer was a French
Thoroughbred
racehorse
. A son of the great English Triple Crown winner, Nijinsky
, he was bred in Kentucky
by Germaine Wertheimer
of Paris
, France
who owned his dam, Green Valley.
Green Dancer was raced in France by Germaine Wertheimer's son, Jacques
, and trained by Alec Head
. Although a winner of a French Classic Race
and two other Group One
races in France and in England
, Green Dancer is even better remembered as a Champion sire
and a top level broodmare sire.
Retired to stud
in France, in 1980 Green Dancer was sent to stand at Gainesway Farm
near Lexington, Kentucky
. He became the fourth leading sire in France in 1983 and 1984, and was that country's Champion sire in 1991. Green Dancers daughters produced seven Champions that earned Horse of the Year
honors on eight occasions.
Due to declining health, Green Dancer was pensioned near the end of November, 2000 but had to be euthanized a short time later. He is buried in the Gainesway Farm cemetery next to Lyphard
, another Champion sire owned by the Wertheimer family.
Green Dancer sired:
Green Dancer was the damsire of:
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. A son of the great English Triple Crown winner, Nijinsky
Nijinsky II
The racehorse Nijinsky was one of the greatest horses in Thoroughbred horse-racing history. He won the U.K. Triple Crown of racing. Retired to stud he became the Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland and the Leading broodmare sire in North America.He was bred at E. P...
, he was bred in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
by Germaine Wertheimer
Pierre Wertheimer
Pierre Wertheimer was a French businessman.In October 1910, Pierre Wertheimer married Germaine Revel, a daughter of a stockbroker and a member of the Lazard family of investment bankers....
of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
who owned his dam, Green Valley.
Green Dancer was raced in France by Germaine Wertheimer's son, Jacques
Jacques Wertheimer
Jacques Guy Wertheimer was a prominent French businessman who inherited and ran the renowned House of Chanel perfume company...
, and trained by Alec Head
Alec Head
Alec Head was a prominent French horseman and breeder and the owner of Haras du Quesnay near Deauville. A descendant of the great trainers who founded the English Racing Colony in Chantilly, Oise, Head's grandfather was a jockey-turned-trainer, as was his father William Head who was a very...
. Although a winner of a French Classic Race
French Classic Races
In France, the Classics of horse racing are a series of Group One Thoroughbred horse races run annually on the flat. The four races are organized by France Galop.The Prix de Diane is restricted to filles....
and two other Group One
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
races in France and in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Green Dancer is even better remembered as a Champion sire
Leading sire in France
The list below shows the leading Thoroughbred sire of racehorses in France for each year since 1887. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won by the sire's progeny during the season .-----References:* -See also:*...
and a top level broodmare sire.
Retired to stud
Stud (animal)
A stud animal is a registered animal retained for breeding. The terms for the male of a given animal species usually imply that the animal is entire—that is, not castrated—and therefore capable of siring offspring...
in France, in 1980 Green Dancer was sent to stand at Gainesway Farm
Gainesway Farm
Gainesway Farm is an American Thoroughbred horse breeding business in Lexington, Kentucky. It was originally called Greentree Farms.The 1,500 acre property has been home to sires such as Youth and Exceller and numerous others who are buried on the property...
near Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
. He became the fourth leading sire in France in 1983 and 1984, and was that country's Champion sire in 1991. Green Dancers daughters produced seven Champions that earned Horse of the Year
Horse of the Year
Horse of the Year is an honor given by various organizations worldwide in harness racing and thoroughbred horse racing.Some of the awards include:* Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year* Breeders' Cup World Championships Poll* European Horse of the Year...
honors on eight occasions.
Due to declining health, Green Dancer was pensioned near the end of November, 2000 but had to be euthanized a short time later. He is buried in the Gainesway Farm cemetery next to Lyphard
Lyphard
Lyphard was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and an important sire. American bred in Pennsylvania, Lyphard was a son of Northern Dancer out of the mare Goofed. He was auctioned as a weanling at November's Keeneland Sales to Tim Rogers, a horseman from Ireland, who then put him up for sale at...
, another Champion sire owned by the Wertheimer family.
Green Dancer sired:
- GreintonGreinton (horse)Greinton is a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who won on grass courses in France and set two track records on dirt at Hollywood Park Racetrack in the United States. He was named for the village of Greinton in Somerset, England....
(b.1981) - won on grass in France and set two track records on dirt at Hollywood Park Racetrack in the United States. Won Hollywood Gold CupHollywood Gold CupThe Hollywood Gold Cup is an American Grade I stakes race for thoroughbred horses inaugurated in 1938 at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. It was run as a handicap race until 1997 when it was switched to weight-for-age conditions...
, Californian StakesCalifornian StakesThe Californian Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the second week of June at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The Grade II event is open to horses age three and up willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt...
, and Santa Anita HandicapSanta Anita HandicapThe Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up , and is considered the most important race for older horses in North America during the winter racing season...
. - Suave DancerSuave DancerSuave Dancer is a French Thoroughbred race horse who was the 1991 Champion European Three-Year-Old.Bred by Lillie F. Webb's Xalapa Farm near Paris, Kentucky, Suave Dancer was sired by Green Dancer out of the mare Suavite, both American thoroughbreds...
(b. 1988) - 1991 European Champion 3-Yr-Old ColtCartier Racing AwardThe Cartier Racing Awards are awards in European horse racing, founded in 1991, and sponsored by Cartier jewelers. The award winners are decided by points earned in group races plus the votes cast by British racing journalists and readers of the Racing Post and Daily Telegraph newspapers.Eight...
. Won Prix du Jockey ClubPrix du Jockey ClubThe Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, Irish Champion StakesIrish Champion StakesThe Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and...
, Prix de l'Arc de TriomphePrix de l'Arc de TriompheThe Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the... - Gandria (b. 1996 ) - won Prince of Wales StakesPrince of Wales StakesThe Prince of Wales Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Fort Erie Race Track in Fort Erie, Ontario. Restricted to three-year-old horses bred in Canada, it is contested on dirt over a distance of a mile and three sixteenths . In 1959, the Prince of Wales Stakes became the...
, Canadian Champion Three-Year-Old FillySovereign Award for Champion 3-Year-Old FillyThe Canadian Champion Three-Year-Old Filly is a Canadian Thoroughbred horse racing honor created in 1975 by the Jockey Club of Canada. It is part of the Sovereign Awards program and is awarded annually to the top 3-Year-Old Filly Thoroughbred horse competing in Canada.-References:*... - Rochester (b. 1996) - millionaire, multiple stakes winner in USA
- Eishin PrestonEishin PrestonEishin Preston is an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in Japan and Hong Kong....
(b. 1997) - Japanese Two-Year-Old Champion, won Hong Kong MileHong Kong MileThe Hong Kong Mile is a Group 1 flat horse race in Hong Kong which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1,600 metres at Sha Tin, and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid December....
and the Queen Elizabeth II CupQueen Elizabeth II CupThe Queen Elizabeth II Cup is a Group One Thoroughbred horse race at Sha Tin Racecourse in the New Territories, Hong Kong. Established in 1975 by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, it is run annually in April at a distance of 2,000 metres on turf. Prior to 1997 it was run at 2,200 metres...
twice
Green Dancer was the damsire of:
- SandpitSandpit (horse)Sandpit was an Brazilian Champion Thoroughbred racehorse who also met with considerable success racing in the United States. He was bred by Rio de Janeiro banker Sergio Coutinho de Menezes at Haras São José da Serra in Paraná who raced him under the name, Sierra Thoroughbreds. Sandpit was sired by...
(b. 1989) - Brazilian 1993 Champion 3-year-old. Won four Grade I races in Brazil and four Grade I's in the United States - HallingHalling (horse)Halling , is a retired thoroughbred racehorse and acive sire. He is notable for completing the double of the Eclipse Stakes and the International Stakes in both 1995 and 1996.-Background:...
(b. 1991) - 1996 European Champion Older HorseCartier Racing AwardThe Cartier Racing Awards are awards in European horse racing, founded in 1991, and sponsored by Cartier jewelers. The award winners are decided by points earned in group races plus the votes cast by British racing journalists and readers of the Racing Post and Daily Telegraph newspapers.Eight...
. Won Eclipse StakesEclipse StakesThe Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a...
(twice), International StakesInternational StakesThe International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
(twice), Prix d'IspahanPrix d'IspahanThe Prix d'Ispahan is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,850 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:... - Peaks and ValleysPeaks and ValleysPeaks and Valleys is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by Josephine Abercrombie's Pin Oak Stud in Versailles, Kentucky, he was the son of Carter Handicap winner Mt. Livermore, a son of the very important Champion sire, Blushing Groom...
(b. 1992) - 1995 Canadian Horse of the Year. Won Molson Export Million StakesWoodbine MileThe Woodbine Mile is a Grade I stakes race on turf for Thoroughbred racehorses three years old and up held annually in mid September at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada...
, Meadowlands Cup, Derby Trial Stakes - JeuneJeuneJeune was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who raced in England and Australia and is best known for winning the prestigious Melbourne Cup in 1994. He was an attractive, muscular, chestnut stallion, who sometimes raced in pacifiers...
- (b. 1995) Australian Horse of the Year. Won five Group One races - Quest for FameQuest for Fame (horse)Quest for Fame is a British-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse who won the Epsom Derby in 1990 and who raced successfully in the United States.- References :...
(b. 1997) - Won Epsom DerbyEpsom DerbyThe Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, Hollywood Turf HandicapCharles Whittingham Memorial HandicapThe Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually during the second week of June at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California... - Lonesome Glory (b. 1988) - American American Hall of FameNational Museum of Racing and Hall of FameThe National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
steeplechase champion who was American Steeplechase Horse of the YearEclipse Award for Outstanding Steeplechase horseThe American Champion Steeplechase Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded as part of the Eclipse Award program since its inception in 1971. It is awarded annually to the top horse in steeplechase racing....
1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999. - KalanisiKalanisiKalanisi is a Thoroughbred racehorse who won European Champion and American Champion honors in 2000.-Background:...
(b. 1996) - 2000 American Champion Male Turf Horse. Won Breeders' Cup TurfBreeders' Cup TurfThe Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
, Queen Anne StakesQueen Anne StakesThe Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
, Champion StakesChampion StakesThe Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October... - Black Minnaloushe (b. 1998) - Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in Ireland. Won Irish 2000 GuineasIrish 2000 GuineasThe Irish 2,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
, St. James's Palace StakesSt. James's Palace StakesThe St. James's Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
.