In 1935 the coveted Triple Crown of British racing which comprises the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, the Epsom Derby and the St. Leger at Doncaster was won by Bahram, bred and owned by Aga Khan III. Thirty-five years elapsed before that achievement was matched by Nijinsky, a son of Northern Dancer out of winning racemare Flaming Page, bred in Canada by E. P. Taylor and purchased by American millionaire Charles Engelhard on the advice of legendary trainer Vincent O'Brien who had been impressed by the horse's conformation and outstanding 'presence'.
Thanks to stock footage of his races we are able to marvel at the lightning turn of foot that distinguished Nijinsky's career and which is the mark of the greatest thoroughbreds whilst director Jo Durden-Smith has enhanced the overall experience by means of Orson Welles' narration and inspired use of the music of Sibelius. There are also comments from his trainer, his owner (a dead ringer for Sydney Greenstreet) and his regular jockey the brilliant Lester Piggott who was criticised for leaving it too late in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Truth to tell the horse had probably been taken to the well once too often, got worked up in the parade ring, was baulked when making his challenge, veered left from Piggott's whip in the final strides and lost by an agonisingly narrow margin. Connections should probably have called it a day but human nature being what it is they opted to run him in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket where he was defeated by three-quarters of a length. Retired to stud at an enormous fee he became a champion sire.
By importing Nijinsky from Canada, O'Brien introduced the Northern Dancer bloodline into British and Irish racing which has produced Sadler's Wells and his sons Danehill, Montjeu and Galileo whose feats on the racecourse and in the breeding sheds have enriched the sport beyond all measure. Let us give thanks.
