Northern Dancer, a Canadian-bred racehorse foaled in 1961, achieved international fame by winning the prestigious Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 1964. This remarkable Thoroughbred, however, narrowly missed clinching the coveted Triple Crown of American horse racing after a loss at the Belmont Stakes.
Bred at the Oshawa, Ontario, farm of his owner, E.P. Taylor, Northern Dancer was a source of national pride for Canada. Taylor, a prominent figure as chairman of the Ontario Jockey Club and one of Canada’s wealthiest individuals, had high hopes for his colt. As a two-year-old, Northern Dancer demonstrated exceptional talent, winning seven out of nine races. Leading up to the 1964 Kentucky Derby, he had built an impressive eight-race winning streak. Taylor envisioned Northern Dancer following in the footsteps of Sir Barton, another Canadian-owned horse who made history as the first Triple Crown champion in 1919. Despite his strong record, Northern Dancer entered the Derby with 5–2 odds, positioned as the second favorite behind Hill Rise, a California-bred colt also boasting an eight-victory streak.
The 1964 Kentucky Derby became a legendary showdown between Northern Dancer and Hill Rise. Bill Hartack, a Hall of Fame jockey who would eventually amass over 4,000 career wins, expertly guided Northern Dancer. Facing him was legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker, with over 8,800 career wins, riding Hill Rise. The race unfolded as an intense duel, with Northern Dancer ultimately prevailing by a neck in a record-breaking time of two minutes flat. This victory marked a historic moment as Northern Dancer became the first Canadian-born horse to win the Kentucky Derby. (Although Canadian-owned, Sir Barton was foaled in Kentucky.)
For the Preakness Stakes, the field narrowed to just six horses, but the rivalry between Northern Dancer and Hill Rise remained central. Despite his Kentucky Derby victory, Northern Dancer was again the second betting choice at 8–5 odds, with Hill Rise favored. However, in the Preakness, Northern Dancer showcased his dominance, winning convincingly by two and a quarter lengths over Hill Rise, solidifying his status as a top contender in American horse racing.
The Belmont Stakes, traditionally held at Belmont Park, was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack in New York due to ongoing renovations. A record crowd of 61,215 spectators gathered to witness if Northern Dancer could secure the Triple Crown. However, in a surprising turn of events, Northern Dancer was defeated decisively, finishing third, approximately six lengths behind the winner, Quadrangle. Quadrangle, in contrast, had a less impressive record that year, winning only three of eight races. Despite missing the Triple Crown, Northern Dancer’s achievements were undeniable. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in 1976, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest racehorses. Northern Dancer passed away in 1990, but his impact on horse racing continues to be celebrated.
