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Norse Dancer (IRE)

Halling - River Patrol, by Rousillon
Bay, foaled 2000
Breeder: Ralph Ergnist & Bruno Faust
Other sons of Halling at stud: Dandoun, Franklins Gardens

25 times a runner in Group Ones

Very few horses actually run in 25 Group 1 races, never mind win any, but Norse Dancer did that among his total of 34 outings. He did not win at the top level, but during a career spanning five seasons he demonstrated his toughness and versatility over distances from seven furlongs to a mile and a half, again something which few horses are required to do in these days of specialist distance performers.

His comparatively long career may, in these times of short memories, blur the recollection of his best performances, such as when runner up to Sulamani in the Juddmonte International at York and to Azamour in both the Irish Champion Stakes and the ‘King George’, or when third to Refuse to Bend in the 2000 Guineas.

When there was a race to be run, Norse Dancer turned up; he won twice at Group 3 level (over eight and nine furlongs incidentally), and was placed in no less than 14 Group events, ten at the top level. He had plenty of class and it is to be hoped that he gets the chance to pass it on.

His pedigree would encourage any breeder to use him

His pedigree would encourage any breeder to use him, as he stems from the great Hollingsworth family of Kyak, whose descendants include Sea Anchor (King Edward VII Stakes, successful sire), Buoy (Coronation Cup, successful sire), Bireme (Oaks), Dry Dock (Great Voltigeur, Chester Vase,
etc.), Mail the Desert (Moyglare Stud Stakes) and Good Faith, the champion juvenile filly in New Zealand. This tough family even produced a Grand National winner in 2002 in the shape of Bindaree, another of Ripeck’s great grandsons.

The only line of Northern Dancer comes through Halling’s maternal grandsire Green Dancer, a son of Nijinsky, so Norse Dancer will prove a valuable outcross for many mares. Halling, by Diesis, by Sharpen Up, was himself a top performer up to 10.5 furlongs, and among his many talented progeny, Norse Dancer must rank near the top of the list. He is actually bred on somewhat similar lines to the very successful Selkirk, who is by Sharpen Up out of a Nasrullah line mare.

Race record

At 2
1st Maiden Stakes, 7f, Salisbury
1st Novice Stakes, 7f, Ascot

At 3
3rd 2000 Guineas, G1, 8f, Goodwood
3rd Sussex Stakes, G1, 8f, Goodwood
4th Derby, G1, 12f, Epsom

At 4
1st Sovereign Stakes, G3, 8f, Salisbury
2nd International Stakes, G1, 10f, York
2nd Irish Champion Stakes, G1, 10f, Leopardstown
3rd Lockinge Stakes, G1, 8f, Newbury

At 5
1st Earl of Sefton Stakes, G3, 9f, Newmarket
2nd King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, G1, 12f, Newbury

NORSE DANCER (IRE), 2000

Stud details

Stands Littleton Stud

Fee £4,000 October 1 SLF

Ad Valorem - Araafa - Aussie Rules - Balmont - Bandari - Blue Dakota - Boogie Street - Byron - Cacique - Calcutta - Darsi - Desideratum - Diamond Green - Elusive Double - Ferrule - Galeota - George Washington - Goodricke - Hurricane Run - Iceman - Iffraaj - Indesatchel - Ivan Denisovich - Kodiac - Let The Lion Roar - Librettist - Majestic Missile - Near Dock - Norse Dancer - Phoenix Reach - Polar Impact - Prince Arch - Proclamation - Reefscape - Resplendent Glory - Shirocco - Sleeping Indian - Silent Times - Striking Ambition - Wolf Tone