55tth anniversary of Nijinsky winning Triple Crown

[harshthakor]

On September 12th, the horse racing world commemorates the 55th anniversary of the last racehorse to have accomplished the feat of capturing the British Triple Crown, comprising the 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the St. Leger. This title set a benchmark or parameter for a thoroughbred racehorse, with no horse for a period of 55 year achieved this historic feat. It amounts to winning classics ranging from distances of a mile, mile and half and a mile and four furlongs.

In the year 1970, Nijinsky transcended parameters unparalleled in Horse Racing winning the triple crown, Irish Derby and King George 6th Diamond Stakes. The superstar came within a doorstep of adding the prestigious Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe ‘, but a bout of ringworm infection robbed him off that elusive crown, but for which he would have been rated the greatest racehorse of them all. Possibly no European racehorse ever made the impact Nijinsky made on racetrack. Nijinsky’s meteoric transition in 1970 gave an effect of new dawn arriving., having truly made the journey to eternity.

It is hard to find an adjective which could do justice to Nijinsky’s overwhelming popularity.in 1970, who reminded one of famous emperor being adulated. -or looked an equivalent of a prophet to the sport. Although temperamental, who would take time to settle, in full throttle could quicken instantly in the manner of racing car after pressing an accelerator or lightning being struck. Arguably no horse ever equalled Nijinsky’s aura of invincibility who made it impossible for any opponent to shatter that myth, mercilessly dwarfing all opposition. When out in front the colt would majestically surge ahead with a ground scurrying action, giving the sensation of creature coming from another planet. When cruising home no horse ever in the British Isles looked more emphatic or convincing.

In my view timeform unfairly ranked Nijinsky at 138.blow stars like Dancing Brave, Shergar, Generous and Mill Reef. Nijinsky has been ranked by the Racing post at 140, at 16th place, behind only Sea Bird, Ribot, Brigadier Gerarad, Frankel and Mill Reef among European champions, and still above stalwarts like Sea the Stars, Shergar and Dancing Brave. Racing Post ranked him the 9th most popular racehorses from the British Isles, while when ranking all-time Britan and Ireland’s horse racing champions, ranked him at 13th place.

Fascinatingly his jockey Lester Piggot rated Sir Ivor as the best horse he ever rode who he felt had better racing temperament and character than Nijinsky or better finishing speed. In Lester’s view although overall he rated Sir Ivor better, at his best and in terms of raw ability, Nijinsky was the greatest horse he ever sat on. Trainer Vincent O’Brien felt Sir Ivor, who he also trained, was tougher, and could not judge which horse was better.
Even if not formally rated the greatest, in the eyes of the racing public in Britain Nijinsky was the best flat racehorse ever. No colt more defined the thoroughbred as an equine Athlete.

Nijinsky has a strong case for being rated the best ever colt that has trod the British Isles, bearing in mind that no horse has ever won an Epsom Derby. Irish Derby, King George and Arc, with Nijinsky being robbed of an Arc triumph due to an acute disease and possibly running in the St Leger. Arguably later on Mill Reef, Dancing Brave, Shergar or Sea the Stars emulated Nijinsky’s racing talent and superiority, but never equalled his majestic achievement. Possibly Nijinsky fell out on temperament or adaptability on all types of ground or going, when compared to racehorse Mill Reef. He also did not win as emphatically or conquered as strong opposition as Sea Bird, ranked the best ever flat racing colt.

It must be stated that Nijinsky made the trip to Britain on 3 occasions, which higher rated champions like Sea Bird and Mil Reef did not. It is a moot point whether later stars like Mill Reef, Sea the Stars or Dancing Brave could be rated ahead of Nijinsky, over aa middle distance, but still none equalled Nijinsky’s popularity. Late commentator Julian Wilson when pressed with a gun on his head stated that amongst all the great racehorses he saw in his lifetime, the title of best ever would ly between Sea Bird, Mill Reef and Nijinsky.

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