hi guys
Recently the question was raised...Why is Nureyev any better than Nijinsky?
He may or may not be...certainly that's a topic open for discussion.
But when considering both Nureyev and Nijinsky, memories of the two champion sons of Northern Dancer seemed to generate some word associations that might (to some extent) describe the two...
Nureyev...beautiful------Nijinsky...rugged
Nureyev...Aston Martin------Nijinsky...Escalade
Nureyev...James Bond-------Nijinsky...Dirty Harry
Both wonderful horses...but I suggest extremely different physical types.
Thoughts?
Respectfully
Nureyev v Nijinsky...extremely different physical types
Moderators: Roguelet, WaveMaster, madelyn
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kimberley mine
- Breeder's Cup Contender
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For photographic reference:
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/isd/cl ... nskyii.pdf
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/isd/cl ... ureyev.pdf
Nijinsky looks like a warmblood in that picture.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/isd/cl ... nskyii.pdf
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/isd/cl ... ureyev.pdf
Nijinsky looks like a warmblood in that picture.
Hi Madelyn,
I had a chance to speak with Nijinsky shortly before his death in 1992. I arrived at Claiburne farm and went directly to his stall with two quartered raw sweet potatoes and a La Gloria Cubaña, Gloria Extra, a cigar I knew to be one of the champs’ favorites.
I knocked softly at the stall door, “Champ?” I asked quietly.
Nijinsky turned and cocked his head to the side then quickly moved to the stall door with a single fluid stride.
“Hey buddy! How ya been?”, he flashed a set of gleaming teeth. “Those for me?” He saw the potatoes but was looking at the cigar.
Nijinsky giggled and then gobbled up the potatoes.
“Thanks for rememberin’, I hate the potatoes but at my age you gotta have ruffage. Since prunes is the alternative, I’ll eat the spuds.”
I attached a shank and lead the champion out of his stall. I unwrapped the La Gloria and slipped it into his mouth.
“Thank’s kid”, he craned his neck towards me waiting for a light.
I struck the red tip against the striker, cupped the igniting match in my hands and settled it under the end of the cigar. Nijinsky skillfully rolled the cigar in his mouth, drawing in his breath slowly until the tip was a golden glow.
We spoke of many things including his great disappointment in how horse years are calculated, “Makes me old before my time” he complained.
He still liked to remember that I hadn’t bet on him in the St. Leger Stakes. “What a dumbell move that was!”, he chuckled and as always I could offer nothing more than a sheepish grin.
I asked him about his health and weight and he rolled his eyes, drew softly on the cigar and said,
“Some things ya just don’t need to talk about, eh kid?”
“Well you’ve always been a big guy, you should carry weight, look at your frame. What are you, sixteen-two?” , I knew that he was listed in the Stallion Register at that height.
Nijinsky looked at me thoughtfully, “There are horses that’re sixteen-two and then there are horses that are sixteen-two if ya get my meanin?”, the big horse winked at me. “Take that pansy, what’s his name, Nureeve or Nur…whatever, he was a runt, what, fifteen-three, tops, and no one ever thought he would like girls anyway.”
“Nureyev?”, I asked as if I was reminding myself as well as the champ, “You mean Nureyev? He’s technically your half brother you know.” I said it factually, for it was true that they shared the same father. “Champ, you and Nureyev are both SPECIAL, as runners, sires and horses!”
Nijinsky burst into laughter and began casting about frantically. I feared he wouldn't be able to catch his breath and worse, he might choke on his cigar, but even in the midst of his convulsive laughter he pointed a hock towards his stall door that had swung shut. On it were a series of photos, some larger than others and all at least a bit worn; Green Dancer, Royal Academy, Baldski, Strawberry Road, Ferdinand, Dancing Spree and a yellowing newspaper article about the champ himself and how he won the triple crown.
“I ain’t SPECIAL”, he neighed at me as I left. “Sure you’re not”, I thought to myself.
I had a chance to speak with Nijinsky shortly before his death in 1992. I arrived at Claiburne farm and went directly to his stall with two quartered raw sweet potatoes and a La Gloria Cubaña, Gloria Extra, a cigar I knew to be one of the champs’ favorites.
I knocked softly at the stall door, “Champ?” I asked quietly.
Nijinsky turned and cocked his head to the side then quickly moved to the stall door with a single fluid stride.
“Hey buddy! How ya been?”, he flashed a set of gleaming teeth. “Those for me?” He saw the potatoes but was looking at the cigar.
Nijinsky giggled and then gobbled up the potatoes.
“Thanks for rememberin’, I hate the potatoes but at my age you gotta have ruffage. Since prunes is the alternative, I’ll eat the spuds.”
I attached a shank and lead the champion out of his stall. I unwrapped the La Gloria and slipped it into his mouth.
“Thank’s kid”, he craned his neck towards me waiting for a light.
I struck the red tip against the striker, cupped the igniting match in my hands and settled it under the end of the cigar. Nijinsky skillfully rolled the cigar in his mouth, drawing in his breath slowly until the tip was a golden glow.
We spoke of many things including his great disappointment in how horse years are calculated, “Makes me old before my time” he complained.
He still liked to remember that I hadn’t bet on him in the St. Leger Stakes. “What a dumbell move that was!”, he chuckled and as always I could offer nothing more than a sheepish grin.
I asked him about his health and weight and he rolled his eyes, drew softly on the cigar and said,
“Some things ya just don’t need to talk about, eh kid?”
“Well you’ve always been a big guy, you should carry weight, look at your frame. What are you, sixteen-two?” , I knew that he was listed in the Stallion Register at that height.
Nijinsky looked at me thoughtfully, “There are horses that’re sixteen-two and then there are horses that are sixteen-two if ya get my meanin?”, the big horse winked at me. “Take that pansy, what’s his name, Nureeve or Nur…whatever, he was a runt, what, fifteen-three, tops, and no one ever thought he would like girls anyway.”
“Nureyev?”, I asked as if I was reminding myself as well as the champ, “You mean Nureyev? He’s technically your half brother you know.” I said it factually, for it was true that they shared the same father. “Champ, you and Nureyev are both SPECIAL, as runners, sires and horses!”
Nijinsky burst into laughter and began casting about frantically. I feared he wouldn't be able to catch his breath and worse, he might choke on his cigar, but even in the midst of his convulsive laughter he pointed a hock towards his stall door that had swung shut. On it were a series of photos, some larger than others and all at least a bit worn; Green Dancer, Royal Academy, Baldski, Strawberry Road, Ferdinand, Dancing Spree and a yellowing newspaper article about the champ himself and how he won the triple crown.
“I ain’t SPECIAL”, he neighed at me as I left. “Sure you’re not”, I thought to myself.
Has a palomino jean that pop up some.
This stallion is DNA ... all foal can be MBNA inrolled.
Horses like their credit cards. - Four Forty Farms
This stallion is DNA ... all foal can be MBNA inrolled.
Horses like their credit cards. - Four Forty Farms
hi madelyn
I never put a stick on Nijinsky II...but I would guess he was in the solid 16-2 maybe 16-3+- range. It wouldn't surprise me if some might say 17HH.
I would suggest that the first impression when setting eyes on Nijinsky II related to his impressive size, ruggedly-coarse and powerful structure and physique, and masculine looks. When I last saw him he had significant filling in both hind legs from the hocks thru his ankles and pasterns. I don't recall if it was a circulatory issue...or what.
He was a lotta horse with good bone and a look of eagles...and had an aura about him. Quite a horse.
Best to you.
Respectfully
I never put a stick on Nijinsky II...but I would guess he was in the solid 16-2 maybe 16-3+- range. It wouldn't surprise me if some might say 17HH.
I would suggest that the first impression when setting eyes on Nijinsky II related to his impressive size, ruggedly-coarse and powerful structure and physique, and masculine looks. When I last saw him he had significant filling in both hind legs from the hocks thru his ankles and pasterns. I don't recall if it was a circulatory issue...or what.
He was a lotta horse with good bone and a look of eagles...and had an aura about him. Quite a horse.
Best to you.
Respectfully
Well thanks to all! Pete you should write stories! She sounds more like him than ever, haughty, impatient, difficult, and yes, the look of eagles. I will try to post a picture of her on her pedigree here in a couple of days. And her catalog page has been improving a lot lately.
So Run for the Roses, as fast as you can.....
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UK Breeder (19)
- Yearling
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I came across this discussion and had to add my piece!
Nijinsky is the perfect specimen of what a thoroughbred should be. He is what every breeder should be attaining and striving for.
He was by far, the best of any ND produce, and something unlike any other ND son. Great horses should stand out, and he sure did stand out.
Nijinsky was named after another talented individaul Vaslav Nijinsky. Maybe it was density for him to be great!
(don't worry Nureyev is also great, just as great!)
Nijinsky is the perfect specimen of what a thoroughbred should be. He is what every breeder should be attaining and striving for.
He was by far, the best of any ND produce, and something unlike any other ND son. Great horses should stand out, and he sure did stand out.
Nijinsky was named after another talented individaul Vaslav Nijinsky. Maybe it was density for him to be great!
(don't worry Nureyev is also great, just as great!)
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summerhorse
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Nijinksy obviously took after his dam's side of the family.
He had lymphangitis. I'm not sure if he had a continuing infection or if infections damaged the lymphatic system in his hind leg (s) but he was unable to move the fluids back up the leg and they oozed out into the skin. (think it is lymphedema or something like that if the infection is gone) It was one leg mainly, the other probably filled from being kept up and supporting more weight. I guess after a few years of that he got laminitis too and that did him in.
He had lymphangitis. I'm not sure if he had a continuing infection or if infections damaged the lymphatic system in his hind leg (s) but he was unable to move the fluids back up the leg and they oozed out into the skin. (think it is lymphedema or something like that if the infection is gone) It was one leg mainly, the other probably filled from being kept up and supporting more weight. I guess after a few years of that he got laminitis too and that did him in.
Every mighty oak was once an acorn that stood its ground.
hi summerhorse...hi UK Breeder (19)
Thanks for your insights re: Nijinsky II...and (summerhorse) for your description of his leg condition as lymphangitis.
If I can take it one step further, it looked nasty...
...regardless, Nijinsky II was a very impressive individual (to say the least) in a ruggedly-coarse and classic sense...
...and UK Breeder (19), I agree with your comment "...he sure did stand out."
Respectfully
Thanks for your insights re: Nijinsky II...and (summerhorse) for your description of his leg condition as lymphangitis.
If I can take it one step further, it looked nasty...
...regardless, Nijinsky II was a very impressive individual (to say the least) in a ruggedly-coarse and classic sense...
...and UK Breeder (19), I agree with your comment "...he sure did stand out."
Respectfully
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roving boy
- Allowance Winner
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Dew Poisoning - he had whites behind and white pasterns are prone to it. That is how it appeared and how it was described by his groom. I am not sure if lymphangitis is the official term or just a related condition, or perhaps he had a combination of the two.
And as Pete relates, he was all of 16.2.....and Nureyev did not reach 15.3, at best he was 15.2!
And as Pete relates, he was all of 16.2.....and Nureyev did not reach 15.3, at best he was 15.2!
Roving Boy