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He was the little horse with a big heart that galvanized a nation. He was the first Canadian-born and bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby, eclipsing an 89-year-old track record when he crossed the finish line in two minutes flat in 1964. The perilous and charming story that led to those famous two minutes is told in this unforgettable documentary of NORTHERN DANCER, the 1964 Canadian Horse-of-the-Year...who was also named the Champion Three-Year-Old Male in the United States the same year.

 

No one wanted to buy NORTHERN DANCER at his yearling sale in 1962; he was small, little bigger than the average pony, and had a willful, unpredictable nature. But E.P. Taylor, beer baron and Canada's first great entrepreneur who bred and owned the diminutive but blazingly fast son of NEARCTIC, recognized a kindred spirit. He took on the little horse and helped him become a "great Canadian."

 

This is the first time an animal has ever been profiled on, "Life and Times", fitting for this "Canadian" who broke so many records and inspired a nation to name him 1964 Canadian Athlete of the Year, over such competition as Gordie Howe and George Chuvalo.

 

See rare archival footage of NORTHERN DANCER and E.P. Taylor at Windfields Farm in the 1960's and 1970's and listen to the legendary jockey Ron Turcotte reflect on the infamous and controversial race that forced NORTHERN DANCER's retirement.

 

See what racetracks were like at the turn of the century and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what happens at the backstretch, before a horse can claim his winner's roses.

 

Hear E.P. Taylor's daughter, Judith Mappin, describe the world of Canadian racing when it was in its infancy, her mother's love of NORTHERN DANCER and her father's canny decision not to geld his favorite horse, no matter how difficult he was to handle.

 

NORTHERN DANCER became the greatest sire of the 20th Century after he stopped racing and eventually commanded stud fees of over 1 million. He was the leading sire in the United States in 1971 and leading broodmare sire there in 1991. He was also leading sire in England four times. He sired 146 stakes winners, including NIJINSKY II, SADLER'S WELLS, THE MINSTREL, NUREYEV, EL GRAN SENOR, SECRETO, NORTHFIELDS, UNFUWAIN, NORTHERNETTE, FANFRELUCHE, SHAREEF DANCER, TRY MY BEST, BE MY GUEST, COOL MOOD, and DIXIELAND BAND. He was the broodmare sire of more than 235 stakes winners including ARAZI, EILLO, L'ALEZANE, L'ENJOLEUR, NARITA BRIAN, NOVERRE, RHYTHM, RYAFAN and SOUTHERN HALO. Even SMARTY JONES, winner of the 2004 Kentucky Derby is a great-great grandson.

 

No other horse on the planet has had such an influence on racing bloodlines. In 1982, a French syndicate offered $40 million for NORTHERN DANCER, but they were turned down. This patriarch of the modern Thoroughbred would remain Canadian.

 

Viewers will witness the beauty of a creature born to run and experience the excitement of a younger nation swept up in the thrill of creating its own myths. Canada was a place that saw itself as a workhorse, not a Thoroughbred, until NORTHERN DANCER raced his way into our hearts.

 

This feature profiles the fleet creature that taught Canadians to think of themselves as a nation that produces not only winners but also legends; a compelling story chronicling the story of the first Canadian-bred horse to win the prestigious Kentucky Derby in record time before becoming a sire of legendary proportions.

 

This is the tale of the beloved stocky bay horse with heart and attitude...Canada's most celebrated horse of all time...NORTHERN DANCER!!

 

AS AN ADDED BONUS...A rare and priceless lengthy segment is included after the main feature as news breaks around the world of the death of legend - NORTHERN DANCER at the age of 29-years-old in December, 1990. The entire racing world mourns the passing of an equine icon whose accomplishments on-track were more than surpassed by his overwhelming contributions to the breeding industry where he revolutionized it and became the standard for the most sought-after bloodlines. In addition, his legacy will forever flourish and be fortified as countless NORTHERN DANCER sons and grandsons currently stand stud at farms all around the world; generous footage of many of NORTHERN DANCER's most famous progeny are shown retired from the track at their respective residences: THE MINSTREL, LOCAL TALENT, SADLER'S WELLS, STORM BIRD, BE MY GUEST, NUREYEV, DANZIG, SOVEREIGN DANCER, LYPHARD, NIJINSKYK II, SNAAFI DANCER and SHAREEF DANCER.

 

 

 

55 Minutes.

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