Page 72 - Majestic Vol.03
P. 72
BREEDING EXCELLENCE male born in 1982 — was sold for US$10.2 成为冠军种马。接着就是“The Minstrel”，
A tendon injury saw Northern Dancer million to Sheikh Mohammed. Despite its 赢得 1977 年叶森德比大赛。在早期的子嗣
withdrawing from the racing scene to focus first ever over-ten-million-dollar price tag, 中，纵使部份马匹竞赛成绩不理想，但也
on breeding activities, which began on Snaafi Dancer was never deployed for any 可以在种马时代因血统而备受重用。因此
home ground in Canada. The initial breeding race.
fee for Northern Dancer was 10,000
Canadian dollars. Its progeny was popular In 1984, twelve descendants of Northern Dancer “北方舞蹈家”的配种费以及拍卖价渐渐上
with buyers even before they began racing were sold, each averaging US$ 3,446,666. 升。在 1980 年代，它的种费已达到 100 万
in competitions. In 1969, Northern Dancer Among those in the horseracing circles, it’s 美元，甚至现今未有任何一匹种马可打破
was transferred to Maryland in the United reputed that the blood of Northern Dancer 此纪录，如果计算通货膨胀，相信此数更高。
States to continue its breeding career. was as precious — and as valuable as — as
Its descendants came under the limelight diamonds. 1983 年，在美国基尼兰德周岁驹拍卖会
in 1970. Nijinsky won triple titles in Britain,
and subsequently became a top stallion. Northern Dancer saw its breeding capability 上，其子嗣“Snaafi Dancer”（公马、骝毛，
Another big name, The Minstrel, won the
Epsom Derby in 1977. Among its earlier decline after 1987. After it became seriously 1982 年生于美国）被迪拜酋长谢赫·默罕
descendants, some of their horseracing ill in 1990, it was let it go peacefully, and 默德以 1020 万美元买下，这是世界上第一
performances were not inspired. But when was eventually cremated in Canada. 匹在拍卖时超过千万美元记录的马，不过
transferred to breeding, their lineage 马主从未让该马出赛。
became noticed by both horse owners and In 1992, a bronze statue of Northern Dancer
investors. was erected at Woodbine racetrack.
Both the breeding fee and the selling price 1984 年有 12 匹“北方舞蹈家”子嗣被拍
of Northern Dancer increased progressively.
In the 1980s, its breeding fee was tagged at 配种的传奇生涯 卖，平均价为 3,446,666 美元。因此有人
US$1 million, a figure unmet by any stallion
to date. If we factor in the rate of inflation, “北方舞蹈家”由于肌腱受伤，退役后开始 说，“北方舞蹈家”的血等于钻石一样珍
the price would have been higher.
配种生涯。最初在加拿大的自家牧场配种， 贵。1987 年因生殖能力下降退役，1990 年
During the Keeneland yearling sale in 1983,
another descendant, Snaafi Dancer — a bay 初时种费为一万加币。但在子嗣未出赛前， 急病，决定以安乐死处理，最后运往加拿
已经成为抢手货，于是在 1969 年运往美国 大火化处理。1992 年活拜马场 (Woodbine
马里兰州继续配种生涯，直到离世为止。 racetrack) 兴建了一座“北方舞蹈家”的铜像。
1970 年，它的子嗣已经展现出亮眼成绩“，尼
真 斯 基 ”（Nijinsky） 成 为 英 国 三 冠， 后 来
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