The Kingmaker

How Northern Dancer Founded a Racing Dynasty

Avalyn Hunter

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English

Eclipse Press
02 June 2024

Horses & ponies; Horse racing

Toronto industrialist and Thoroughbred breeder E.P. Taylor wanted to prove to the world that his native Canada could produce racehorses as good as any, and he backed up his belief by offering his own yearlings for sale. So he couldn’t have been happy when buyers in 1962 rejected a well-bred but small bay colt from his Windfields Farm consignment. But Taylor could hardly have envisioned the degree to which this seeming misfortune would boomerang in his favor. Ultimately, he would have the satisfaction of breeding, then racing the horse that would transform the international bloodstock market.

Named Northern Dancer, the sales reject proved his worth by winning the 1964 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes for Taylor. In doing so, he became a Canadian hero. And that was only the beginning. As a stallion, the diminutive Northern Dancer exerted a legendary influence on the breed, at one time commanding a million-dollar stud fee. International competition for his offspring created world records in the auction ring.

Respected pedigree authority Avalyn Hunter tells the compelling story of the fiery colt who towered over his peers and the humans who played supporting roles: legendary trainer Horatio Luro, jockeys Ron Turcotte and Bill Hartack, and Taylor himself. Hunter also chronicles Northern Dancer’s ascendancy as the world’s most coveted stallion and the dynasty he established through his sons.

By: Avalyn Hunter
Imprint: Eclipse Press
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: Updated Edition
Dimensions: Height: 226mm, Width: 150mm, Spine: 22mm
Weight: 381g
ISBN: 9781493081196
ISBN 10: 1493081195
Pages: 280
Publication Date: 02 June 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Avalyn Hunter's love affair with Thoroughbred racehorses began in 1973, when Secretariat became the ninth American Triple Crown winner with a record-breaking victory in the Belmont Stakes. Since then, she has become a nationally recognized authority on Thoroughbred pedigrees and racing history whose work has appeared in The Blood-Horse, Thoroughbred Times, Owner-Breeder International, Market Watch, New York Breeder, and Louisiana Horse. Her first book was American Classic Pedigrees 1914–2002, which was published to strong reviews. Her more recent titles are The Kingmaker: How Northern Dancer Founded a Racing Dynasty and Gold Rush: How Mr. Prospector Became Racing's Billion-Dollar Sire, and she has been a contributor to five other books. She lives in Lake City, Florida.

Reviews for The Kingmaker: How Northern Dancer Founded a Racing Dynasty

American Classic Pedigrees is enthusiastically recommended reading for professionals as well as non-specialist general readers with an interest in the lineage of championship racehorses. Area Thoroughbred racehorse fans will find that Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees takes a fresh look at equine bloodlines that have produced champion runners, and gives us a history refresher to boot. Avalyn Hunter's first published book [American Classic Pedigrees] is a triumph of equine research.