Nihilator became the first race winner in sub 1:50.0 (paced 1:49.3US at Meadowlands, August 1985, aged three), richest Standardbred of his time, triple millionaire ($3,225,653), won seven group ones, winning awards – USA two and three year old C&G Pacer of Year; fastest Pacer of Year at both two (US 1:52.4) and three (US1:49.3); fastest Pacer and Pacer of Year 1985 (aged three); stake earning Pacer of Year 1985 ($1,864,286); USA Hall of Fame Immortal. Nihilator was among the first 100 Pacers timed in 1:50.0 (second to achieve feat after his sire Niatross 1:49.1TTUS in October 1980 at Red Mile, Lexington) and first race timed under 1:50. In total, Nihilator won thirty five of his thirty eight starts, being placed second on two other occasions.
A product of Niatross’s first crop, Nihilator (Niatross/Margies Melody by Bret Hanover), comes from the family of Mamie (U6). Nihilator is the families’ wealthiest pacer ($3.225m), one of fifteen millionaires, whose greatest performers have been Albatross, his grandson Nihilator, Henry T Adios and Valley Victory while Galleria earned female Pacer of the Year awards for three consecutive years aged three, four and five.
Nihilator is ten removes from Hambletonian, with his Electioneer paternal line passing through Chimes/The Abbe/Abbedale/Hal Dale/Dale Frost/Meadow Skipper and Albatross before reaching Niatross. Bred by Indiana breeder Robert E. Gangloff he was purchased by a syndicate (Wall Street Stable) headed by prominent owner Lou Guida for $100,000. Subsequently Nihilator was syndicated for $19.2m early in 1985 with Guida retaining a management fee of 10-25% for life of the horse and Almahurst Farm buying a thirty percent interest for $5.76m. Guida remained part of the ownership group, being the Wall St – Nihilator Syndicate.
Nihilator was dam Margies Melody (Bret Hanover) first foal. She paced 1:55.4US as a four year old amassing $94,303 in stakes from twelve victories over three seasons, aged two to four including Kentucky Sires Stakes win at Latonia. Other foals included Veeza (1:51.2US), Naked Eyes (dam of Aparte 1:53.0, $307,152; grand dam of Real Celebration 1:49.2US, $460,559 and Odds On Moinet, 1:51.0US, $364,462), Mattalie Cole (pacer, exported to NZ, dam of Emunicator, four NZ wins, 1:52.2US), Matt’ill Be The Day (dam of Make My Day, 1:49.3US, $270,463).
Grand dam Pretty Margie (Meadow Skipper), paced 2:05.4US at three, $3,033. Her progeny included Goodmorninginamerica (1:54.0US, third dam of McCito, p2 1:52.0US), McCedes (1:49.4US, millionaire), Hot List (1:48.2US), Incredible Bret (1:56.1US), Brets Courage (1:55.2USTT, sire in Australia of eleven winners); grand dam of Deal Breaker [1:54.0US, Terrapin]; third dam of Ideal Towne [1:49.2US, $753,937, Berry Creek – 3]; fifth dam of Ridge Jumper [1:50.0US, $534,475].
Third dam Margies Storm (Storm Cloud), p3, 2:06.0US, $4,529, produced six winners from eleven foals. Eight of her daughters are two minute producers including a full brother to Pretty Margie in Gay Skipper (p4, 1:57.4US, sire) and full sisters Sassy Margie (p3, 1:59.0US), dam of Brets Avenger, p4, 1:51.3US and full brothers Town Jester and Town Judge, both 1:54.3 and Queen Margie, dam of 1:52.3US millionaire/sire Incredible Finale and grand dam of Allamerican Inca 1:48.2US, 1:50.3US, millionaire Allamerican Ingot (Woodrow Wilson, Messenger), LCB 1:50.0US (Oliver Weddell Holmes) and third dam of Pure Country 1:48.2US, double millionaire (Breeders Crown 2f, Fan Hanover/James Lynch 3f).
Fourth dam My Margie (Mighty Song), T2:06.2, dam of Maura who left Europe’s first two minute trotter Flower Child. Fifth dam Margaret Castleton (Guy Castleton), fastest trotter of her year at three when driven by Mrs H. Willis Nichols (T1:59¼US, Red Mile, Lexington, 1937). She left several classic progeny with many of her family finding success in Europe. Sixth dam of Nihilator in Margaret Parrish (Vice Commodore) was also seventh dam of leading trotting sire Valley Victory.
Nihilator proved to be an aggressive racehorse best gaited at extreme high speed. The 16 hands bay colt’s racing style made him one of the sport’s most popular champions of his era.
Nihilator at two didn’t quite match his sire’s perfect 13 from 13 record, but by winning twelve of his thirteen starts ($1,361,367) he could hardly be classed inferior. His one defeat came in the 1984 Breeders Crown at The Meadows to Dragon’s Lair. William (Billy) Haughton was Nihilator’s trainer having driven him as an early two year old before handing over the reins to William (Bill) O’Donnell for the Woodrow Wilson and subsequent starts. In the $2.161m 1984 Woodrow Wilson (richest race Thoroughbred or Standardbred to that time), Nihilator set a world record for two year old pacers on a mile track of 1:52.4US (almost three seconds quicker than previous race record) which greatly assisted O’Donnell setting a new stakes earnings record of $9,059,184. He was to become the first ten million dollar man when eclipsing this mark with $10,207,372 in earnings in 1985, much of it due to Nihilator.
Nihilator was an impressive winner of the International Stallion Stakes at the Red Mile, Lexington when sitting parked out the entire journey (1:53.2US). Other two year old wins included : Potomac Pace and Baltimorian Series heat and final at Freestate Raceway, Laurel, Maryland; Goshen Historic Cup at Meadowlands; Breeders Crown elimination at The Meadows; Kentucky Sires Stakes at Red Mile, Lexington.
As a three year old Nihilator’s twenty three victories and a second from twenty five starts included a 7¼ length blitzing of the Meadowlands Pace field in 1:50.3US, last half mile in 54 seconds, his eighteenth win from nineteen races. On Hambletonian day in early August 1985 he became the first Standardbred to win a race timed in under 1:50 (1:49.3US) – quarter mile splits of 26 2/5, 53 4/5 and 1:21 2/5 – in a three and four year old invitational match race against Falcon Seelster, an all age and three year olds world record on a mile track. He did attempt to better his sires 1:49.1TTUS time at Du Quoin, Illinois after an attempt at Springfield, Illinois’s famous mile track had been rained out. A windy day, sore feet and being unraced for a month saw Nihilator return a 1:50.4US effort.
The Dancer Memorial at Garden State Park (a fire at Freehold Raceway meant a venue change in 1985) was won by seven lengths in a 1:52.2US rate before Nihilator was sent to Delaware for the Little Brown Jug (LBJ). Nihilator’s ownership team (including Lou Guida, also part owner of Niatross) had kept him out of the Cane Pane and Messenger Stakes due to their both being run on half mile tracks with Nihilator also being scratched from the Adios runoff. In the Adios Pace at The Meadows he was surprisingly beaten in the first heat by Marauder (his only ever non place bearing finish), won the second heat and was scratched from the race-off. However he won his LBJ heat in 1:53.1US on the half mile Delaware County Fairgrounds track in Ohio with stable mate Perishing Square winning the other heat in 1:52.4US from Marauder.
Nihilator drew one in the final and led managing to park Broadway Express and keep Perishing Square behind him. Dignatarian moved three wide at the final turn, Broadway Express faded while Perishing Square was late getting clear in the straight. The three way home stretch battle saw Nihilator prevail by a head over Perishing Square (dr legendary John Campbell) in a time of 1:52.1US on the half mile circuit, the fastest Jug Mile ever at that time giving Haughton the race training quinella. It is worth noting that 3yo colt Falcon Seelster had earlier in the day set an all age record of 1:51.0US on the half mile track.
Nihilator was Billy Haughton’s sixth LBJ trained winner (1955 Quick Chief, 1964 Vicar Hanover – stood at stud in NZ/Australia, 1968 Rum Customer, 1969 Laverne Hanover, 1974 Armbro Omaha). The previous five LBJ winner’s he had also driven to victory. Earlier in the day Billy Haughton’s three year old pacing filly Amneris had won the Jugette. Tragically, Billy Haughton died on 15 July 1986 from injuries received in a race accident ten days earlier at Roosevelt Raceway. Son Peter died in an automotive accident after the Meadowlands races in January 1980.
Nihilator scored an easy win in the Walt Whitman Pace at Garden State Park before ending his race career with a win in the 1985 3c Breeders Crown at Garden State Park. Among Nihilator’s other three year old victories were : Red Mile, Lexington, winner of Bluegrass and Tattersalls Paces; Freestate, Terrpin Pace; Meadowlands, Jersey (Historic) Cup, Meadowlands Pace (elimination); Homecoming Pace; Headline Brokers Pace; Pilgrim Pace elimination at Garden State Park in which he finished second in the final to Armbro Dallas. During this season Nihilator set all age world records for two heat races on both half mile and mile tracks.
Nihilator stood at stud at Almahurst Farm locations in Kentucky (initially) and New Jersey producing only six foal crops before he succumbed to ailments related to Potomac Horse Fever and a lengthy battle with laminitis (hoof disease) in November 1991 (humanely destroyed).
Potomac horse fever (PHF) is an acute enterocolitis syndrome producing mild colic, fever, and diarrhoea in horses of all ages, as well as abortion in pregnant mares. It is also known as Shasta River Crud and Equine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis. It was first discovered in areas surrounding the Potomac River northwest of Washington, D.C. in the 1980s, but is found in the majority of US states and in Canada.
Attracting a powerful band of broodmares in his initial stud seasons a number owned by limited partnerships formed in the early 1980’s, he was moved to stand at stud in New Jersey prior to his death. Nihilator did not fulfil the great expectations placed on him for his siring career. On the other hand he could hardly be considered a failure, where from five full crops and a sixth consisting of 37 foals, he had 600 starters from 735 foals for stake earnings in excess of $30 million. He tended to leave better performed aged horses as opposed to explosive youngsters, with his broodmare sire exploits being a higher level.
His fastest progeny included two sub 1:50 horses in New Bucks (p6, 1:49.3US) and Silver Almahurst p5, 1:49.4US) with several in the low 1:50’s such as Arrive At Five (p4, 1:50.1US), Native Born (p6, 1:50.3US), Historic (p3, 1:51.0US), Swing Back (p7, 1:51.1US), Cold Warrior p5 and Shore Patrol p3, both 1:51.2US. His richest progeny included four millionaires in Historic ($1.3m), Native Born, Shore Patrol both $1.1m and Silver Almahurst just under $1.1m. Swing Bank ($917k) and Arrive At Five ($870k) were easiest his next biggest earners.
Nihilator’s progeny won several major Group One races such as Presidential (Historic, Shore Patrol), Metro, (Historic) Nassagaweya (Historic, Native Born, Digger Almahurst), Battle of Freehold (Native Born), George Morton Levy FFA (Silver Almahurst, second Woodrow Wilson), Breeders Crown Open Mares Pace (Swing Back), Graduate Series Open Pace (Arrive At Five), Prix De L’Avenir (Digger Almahurst), Breeders Crown 2c (Digger Almahurst). A dual gaited champion from Nihilator was Six Day War, 1:54.2US, T1:56.4US.
As a “great” broodmare sire, Nihilator left standouts such as sires Art Major, McArdle, Panspacificflight, Perfect Art, Sealed N Delivered; gelding Life Source (1:48.0US, eleven 1:50 victories) and leading mares Eternal Camnation ($3.7m, 47/101 wins, dozen Group One’s), Stienams Place (millionaire, Jugette, Breeders Crown, dam of multiple classic winners including double millionaire and world record pacing mare 1:47.3US Put On A Show and Showherthemoney, Jugette) and Worldly Beauty ($1.9m, Fan Hanover) plus numerous sub 1:50 pacers. In 1999 Nihilator was leading BM sire of two year pacers in USA with 145 winners.
In 1995, Nihilator was inducted into the United States Harness Racing Hall of Fame (Immortals).
New Zealand influence –
Nihilator’s influence in New Zealand was limited by the number of foals imported from North America by National Bloodstock Corporation (NBC) in the late 1980’s (half dozen), a Nihilator mare imported by Roydon Lodge and stallions The Gladiator (stood in NZ) and Bookmaker (stood in Australia).
While many possessed superior breeding, Nihilator’s Australasian statistics did not set the world on fire. His 1987 Sudden Urge II filly, Urgent Need however has left an ongoing legacy.
Lot 66 (1988 NBC International Yearling Sale), URGENT NEED (1986f, foaled 29 May 1987), superbly bred filly out of stakes winning Albatross mare Sudden Urge II (p2 1:58.3, 1:53.3US, $81,341, Garnsey Memorial, The Bronx, Group two 3yo filly races), a half-sister to Trenton (p3, 1:51.3US, fastest North American Pacer of Year in 1982, world race record holder, sire; dam sire of Mystical Prince (1:50.3, Oliver Weddell Holmes, sire of No Blue Manna, dam sire Ima Spicey Lombo) and Nicks Fantasy (1:50.0US, Little Brown Jug, Tattersalls Pace). Sudden Urge was sold with foal at foot (Urgent Need) to NZ for $150,000.
Urgent Need, born in USA was a half-sister to Sudden Urge II, foals born in USA :
- Only Mine (Big Towner colt), p2, 1:54.1US, sire
- Expensive Lady (Tyler B filly), unraced dam of Expensive Scooter 1:51.0, $910,846, Battle of Freehold, CAN – Nassagaweya, Breeders Crown at two; 1994 foal Big Time Babe imported into NZ leaving three winners (1 NZ/2 AUS)
and in NZ to :
- Knightly Urge (Tuapeka Knight colt), race winning sire of sixteen winners (All Talk, NZ 4yo Championship – Forbury Park)
- Sudden Success (Butler BG filly), winner 2:00.2, $84,065, NZYSS – 2f; dam of seven winners from seven starters including Inner Success, three NZ wins, 1:52.3US, $272,264; Mikes Beachboy, four NZ wins, 1:52.1US, $157,850; Alisons Jet, one NZ/six AUS wins, 1:57.8AUS, $41,443; Luvin Success, winner, dam of two winners; Hotsands, two wins; Mikes Goodboy/Elsuccess winners
- Sudden Cam (Camtastic gelding), five NZ wins, 1:53.4US, $65,389
- Shy Annie (Village Jasper filly), unraced dam of three race winners, (Our) Alleluia, four NZ wins, thirty AUS wins, 1:53.1, Redcliffe/Lord Mayors Cup, $532,933; Soldier Of Fortune, twelve AUS wins, 1:58.3, $45,983; Always An Honour, winner of two of three WA starts to date, 1:57.1, $9,784
another winner in Networker and unraced winner producing mare Caress (Urgently, four NZ wins, 2:00.3, $18,419, 1:58.0US). Urgent Need was sold for $100,000 ($66,000US) at the 1988 NBC International Yearling Sales held at the (then) Wrightson Sales complex at Karaka. The solitary bid was lodged by Brian Hancock on behalf of Lou Guida. Urgent Need was equal top priced filly together with the Niatross/Steady Lady filly Steady Niatross (1:59.0TT, 6 wins, grand dam of Christian Spirit, Fremantle Cup).
Urgent Need was unraced producing her first foal in 1991 for Ed and Mrs CS Wardwell before passing into the ownership of Chris and Tina Barlow in 1993. She left ten live foals for five winners :
- No Need (Luddell Hanover gelding), nine NZ wins, Rangiora Cup/five NSW wins, 1:57.4, Taree Pacers Cup, $83,505
- Expensive Fella (Smooth Fella gelding), three wins, 2:00.8, $13,214
- Highfields Secret (OK Bye filly), unraced. Dam of two winners, Secret Promise, winner, grand dam of (Gone) Leica Flash, two WA wins, 1:57.8, $9,770 and Hot Secret, two wins, 1:58.8, $11,636, dam of (Hear) No Secret, eleven WA wins, 1:57.7, $96,464; winner producing broodmare Highfields Surprise
- The Falcon (Falcon Seelster gelding), four AUS wins, 2:02.7, $9,990
- Highfields Angel (Falcon Seelster filly), qualified/unraced, dam of three winners : Inspiration, two wins, 2:03.3, $10,435, dam of four winners, C’est La Vie (2 wins, 2:01.5, $19,285), Must Be Magic (1 NZ/1 Menangle win, 1:55.4, $11,029), On A Promise 2 wins, 1:55.6, $24,265, Mile High mares series), (Im)Unforgettable (4 WA wins, 2:02.3, $29,089, dam of nine rave winner Silent Assassin); Pure Power, nine NZ wins, Rangiora Classic/four Menangle wins, 1:51.0AUS, Joe Isley Cup, $304,999; Covert Action, two wins, 2:01.0, $8,618
- Dark Angel (Falcon Seelster filly), unraced, dam of four winners : (In) The Force, one NZ/15 WA (9 GP)/1 Globe Derby wins, 1:57.9, WA Derby, $311,364; Indulge, six wins, 1:58.8, $111,116, 2nd NZYSS – 3f, dam of winner Alltherightmoves, two AUS wins, 2:01.3AUS, $10,985; The Magic, seven wins, 1:59.9, $36,234; Sacred Angel, winner, 2:05.9, $24,175, 3rd NZYSS – 3f; Destiny, unraced dam of two winners, Onlyforyou, eight NZ wins, 1:55.8, $288,950, NZSS/Jewels – 2f, NZ 2yo Filly Pacer of Year, one Melton, 2nd Breeders Crown -2f, $347,900 and Born To Be Brave, VIC winner, 2:00.8AUS, $5,858; Just A Dream, unraced dam of Hessenberg, two wins, 1:56.4, $69,346, 2nd Sapling Stakes, 3rd Welcome Stakes, NZSS – 3c Final
- Il Capitano (Falcon Seelster gelding), six wins, 2:00.5, $49,975, Hawera/Taranaki Cups
- Legacy (Abercrombie filly), qualified/unraced dam of winner Only The Brave, one NZ/ 27 AUS wins, 1:53.8, Redcliffe Cup, Slipnslide – 3, $268,478
- Spy (Falcon Seelster gelding), ten NZ wins, Northland Cup, 1:51.3US, $359,518
Other reasonable performers originating from the few Nihilator foals, mares etc that made it to the Southern Hemisphere include :
EXPRESSIVE MOVES (1988f), unraced, out of unraced Most Happy Fella mare Born To Dance. Dam of ten foals, eight to race for five winners a) Makin Moves, USA 1:59.4us, two wins, b) Glimmering (Direct Scooter), qualified/unraced dam of three foals, all successful for Jim and Dr Susan Wakefield – Beau Rivage (seven NZ wins, 1:49.2US, $531,518); Beau Shiraz (NZ winner, 1:54.1US, $77,608); Felix Hanover (two wins, 2:02.3, $20,368); c) Makati Pitstop (four wins, 2:01.1, $19,818; d) That’s Life Lavra (ten wins, 1:59.3, $191,346, NZYSS – 3f, Matriarch Stakes; dam of four winners including Bio Marinus (seven NZ/fourteen Aus wins, 1:55.4AUS, $156,636); Neffeli Lavra (eight AUS wins, 1:53.9, $76,035), Life Lavros, three AUS wins, 1:52.8, $24,195; e) Evasive Moves, AUS winner, dam of Pantzup, eight wins, T1:57.2, $73,890, VIC Platinum Mares Series
Lot 14 (1988 NBC International Yearling Sale), THE EXTERMINATOR (1986f, 11 May 1987) second foal out of Warm Breeze mare Breeze’s Shower (1:57.4USTT), first sold for $50,000US. The Exterminator was sold for $60,000 at the 1988 NBC International Yearling Sales to NZ interests (Down Under Syndicate, NBC off shoot). The Exterminator had one NZ win from six two and three year old starts for trainer Irvin Behrns, driver Philip Jeffries at Hutt Park in November 1989. Note – she was Nihilator’s only NZ/Australasia winner; also South Australian winner at Port Pirie from twelve starts (2:02.3, $8,260). She was not bred from. Note – Lou Guida also purchased her half-brother Same Breeze (Sonsam/Breezes Shower), a close relation to American Call For Rain.
Breezes Shower is grand dam of Winforu (1:51.3US, $719,204, GN Derby, two ID heats), Tuffery (1:50.4US, $290,138) and Immortal Quest (1:50.0US).
Lot 195 (1989 NBC International Yearling Sale), D K BOP (1987h) out of unraced Oil Burner mare Bare Essence, 3rd dam of AP’s Money Maker, 1:49.1US (Mohawk). Exported to Australia by NBC in June 1989 where he stood at stud in Queensland leaving 140 live foals for 54 starters and 28 winners including Deeks Guy (ID heat, NSW 4/5 Championship), Ndizani 1:52.3US.
An example of a beautifully bred horse from Nihilator who did not make it in New Zealand was :
Lot 21 (1988 NBC International Yearling Sale), ANNIHILATOR (1986h/foaled 13 April 1987, originally named Constant Diversion), out of Tar Heel mare Constance Hanover (1:58.1, $87,236, dam of four in 2:00). From Nihilator’s first crop ($35,000US stud fee) and out of Canada’s 1977 Three Year Old Filly of Year, half-brother to three in 1:56.0, he was among first ever Nihilator foals to be sold at public auction anywhere in the world i.e. NZ sales occurred before first crop sales in North America. Constance Hanover is 5th dam of Ultimate Beachboy (1:48.3, equal world record for 3g on 5/8m track). Annihilator was unraced after being sold for $95,000 at the 1988 NBC International Yearling Sales to George Leon of Pennsylvania on behalf of the Downunder Syndicate before being on sold to Rangiora horseman Phillip Iggo.
Nihilator’s one broodmare imported into NZ by Sir Roy McKenzie was :
STRIKING MAIDEN (1986f), out of Thorpe Hanover mare Meadow Maiden (Thurber Frost/Golden Sands), a 1:59.3USTT and multiple winner in North America, $181,197. This family was progressed initially by Sir Roy McKenzie and Delvin Miller and later by Sir Roy and Roydon Lodge Stud when Golden Sands returned to New Zealand. Meadow Maiden was the last and best foal from Golden Sands who died in 1975 after giving birth to a dead Race Time filly foal.
Meadow Maiden was leading stakes earning two year old pacing filly in 1976 in North America ($89,559) with a best mile time of 2:03.3US on a half mile track. Her twenty one starts yielded seven wins, nine seconds and a third with major victories in New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) at Yonkers and Roosevelt Raceways. At three, Meadow Maiden won a further five races while being placed on half a dozen occasions with a best time of 2:01.4US on Roosevelt’s half mile circuit. Her biggest wins again came in NYSS series at Buffalo, Monticello, Yonkers and Roosevelt Raceways. Meadow Maiden time trialled at Syracuse in 1:59.3USTT a few days before placing fourth there in 1:58.4US. Her total earnings before retiring to the broodmare paddock in 1977 at the conclusion of her three year of career were $181,197.
Her first mating with Most Happy Fella was unsuccessful. Meadow Maiden produced fifteen foals, four winners in both USA and NZ. Her descendants include :
- Meadow Robyn (1:53.4USTT), sire of Jennys Rocket (T2:04.8, NZ Trotting Stakes – 3, NZ 3yo Trotter of Year; dam of Emmas Rocket, Akaroa Cup), Roydon Speed (T2:04.8, Ballarat Trotters Cup), Tyturu (1:56.4US); grand sire of Blue Rock (Redwood Classic – 2T); broodmare sire of Im Ready Set (1:56.6AUS), Four Wins (1:51.4US), Georgy Girl (1:53.4US), Lady Eskay (NZ Trotters Oaks)
- Cheerful Maiden (1:58.0US), third dam of Blue Star Majesty 1:53.2US, $429,753
- Roydon Meadow (2:05.2USTT), dam of Skip (1:51.4US); grand dam of Miss Fitch (dam of Queens Gambit, 1:52.4US, $187,871, twelve AUS wins, Tatlow Memorial – 2f, NSW Oaks heat/third final), Lady Bess (1:53.1US), Big Town Boy (1:58.8AUS, two NZ/fifteen AUS wins), Nuclear Town (1:58.5, dam of Nuclear Reality 1:54.6AUS, ten AUS wins); third dam Last Flight In (1:53.9, one NZ/eleven AUS wins), Absolutely Orse M (1:53.1US), Orse M Wheels Bro (three NZ/twenty one AUS wins, 1:58.5AUS, Gammalite Marathon, Popular Alm FFA, Maryborough Cup), Auditor (1:52.1US)
- Smooth Maiden (unraced), dam of Open Holme (1:58.8, one NZ/eight AUS wins)
Striking Maiden (qualified 2:02.3US, $240), seventh foal of Meadow Maiden bred to Nihilator in 1986. The producer of eight live foals, these included four winners and a qualifier :
- (My) Cary Grant (OK Bye gelding), 1:52.1, $134,811, three NZ/eight WA (seven GP)/fifteen NA wins
- Charlize Theron (Live Or Die filly), 1:59.4AUS, $5,900, two VIC wins; dam of two winners, Springfield Spirit (1:53.8AUS, $71,736,twelve wins), Charli Springfield (1:52.6, $98,404, twelve wins)
- Precious Maiden (Precious Bunny filly), 1:55.8AUS, $141,635, two NZ/ten WA (eight GP) wins; dam of three winners including Mexicano, 1:54.5AUS, $149,556, two NZ/nine WA (six GP) wins
- Strike A Life (Day In A Life gelding), 1:59.4AUS, $63,366, eight AUS wins
- (Our) Grace Kelly (Smooth Fella filly), unraced dam of four winners from four to race including Striking Grace (1:57.6, $13,136, five AUS wins), Black Apacheshadow (2:01.6, $21,115, four WA wins), De La Tourbie (1:57.6, three WA wins, $36,719)
- Ava Gardner (Camtastic filly), unraced dam of a winner Cullossus
- Anna K (Smooth Fella filly), dam of Bully’s Rocket (2:03.9, $30,452, five wins)
In total, Nihilator was dam sire of eleven winners in New Zealand, all of whom are mentioned above.
Two of siring sons that stood in the Southern Hemisphere were :
THE GLADIATOR (1987h, late Cheery Jeans USA), out of one of the greatest ever mares in Tarport Cheer (Tar Heel), dam of twenty foals, twelve in two minutes or better. They included five successful siring sons, in particular Tyler B (1:55.1US, $687,388, sire of Dragons Lair, Magical Mike, Miles McCool; broodmare sire of Badlands Hanover, Sanabelle Island). Her female progeny included Tarport Hap (WR female on half mile track, 1:57.0), Cheery Hello (Jugette, Breeders Crown 3f); third dam of Kenneth J (see below), Call For Rain (1:49.3US, millionaire, Batavia Downs Stakes, two Breeders Crowns, Graduate Series) and many others.
The Gladiator stood at Bryleigh Lodge, Gore for Keith Norman from 1993 to 2000 before being exported to Australia. He sired 51 winners in NZ (17 in 2:00.0) including Elite Warrior (1:53.2US), Calling The Shots (1:52.2US), Franco Warrior, Gancia Guy. As a broodmare sire, among his fifteen in NZ and seven in Australia are The Vice Captain (WA McInerney Ford Championship) and Vice Chairman, fastest ever miler at Addington Raceway, 1:51.9.
BOOKMAKER (1986h/foaled 15 April 1987), out of a Henry T Adios mare, Rabble Rouser (1:58.3TT, $81,379), dam of Rockne Lobell (1:54.4US, dam sire of Bobs Blue Boy, Hannon Memorial, ID heat; Im Brownie (T1:57.3), Joyfulbelle (Wyndham Cup, Robin Dundee Crown, Equine Stakes; dam of Joyfuljoy [1:51.3US, $480,442, Jewels Diamond/NZSS – 3f], Bettor Joy [Delightful Lady Classic], Jumpforjoy, [Southland Oaks]).
Bookmaker, twenty nine wins, $303,819, 1:52.1US, stood at stud in Victoria producing 109 winners. These included double millionaire Shakamaker (1:55.0, winner of ten group ones including WA/SA Derbies, ID Pacing Grand Final, Ben Hur, SA/Victoria Cups, Australian Harness Horse of Year), Manwarra Go For Gold (Tas Pacing Championship), Manwarra Hatrick (VICSS – 4m). He is dam sire of thirty one including Blue Pointer (1:51.8), Forever Gold (1:51.7, $700,593, Queensland Oaks, ID heat) and Gotta Go Henry (1:51.7).
Stallions to have stood in Australasia or whose semen has been available with Nihilator appearing in their maternal pedigrees include a number of current sires :
Kenneth J (Bettors Delight/Advantest), $1,562,007, 1:49.3US, grand dam Cheerful Ear (Nihilator/Tarport Cheer). Sire of one winner in NZ (Dream To Share, 1:52.0AUS), 59 winners in Australia including multiple WA Group One winning filly Ima Bellajay and dam sire of one winner
McArdle (Falcon Seelster/Lilting Laughter by Nihilator), $2,455,609, 1:49.0US, Tattersalls Pace, Oliver Weddell Holmes, William R Haughton Memorial; sire of 360 winners (NZ), 97 (Australia), over 900 worldwide; dam sire of 60 (NZ), 37 (Australia)
Metropolitan (The Panderosa/Tallulah Belle), grand dam My Bell Ami (from Bret Hanover mare, Farm Bell) by Nihilator. Metropolitan, 1:50.1US, $1,175,630, Messenger Stakes, Oliver Weddell Homes and placed in NA Cup, Little Brown Jug, Meadowlands Pace, Breeders Crown – 3; sire in Australia of 73 winners (170 worldwide) including Blitzemcalder (T1:56.6, $432,149, Breeders Crown/VICSS – 2c/3c trotters, VIC/GN Trotters Derbies; broodmare sire of two Australian winners
The following four stallions all boast Rodine Hanover (Big Towner/Romona Hanover, Miss Duvall family) as their grand dam. Rodine Hanover left numerous classic winners including Perfect Profile (see Art Major, Perfect Art, Western Edition), Real Artist (Woodrow Wilson, sire of Dali, Ginger And Fred, Kikikatie, Southwind Lynx, Whatanartist, dam sire of Rockin Image), You Can Fly (see Panspacificflight) and World Order (see Captain Treacherous) :
Panspacificflight (The Panderosa/You Can Fly, Nihilator/Rodine Hanover mare). You Can Fly was the unraced dam of Panspacificflight, 1:50.3, $368,843, NA Cup and Meadowlands Pace consolation who stands at Brent McIntyre’s Macca Lodge in Southland. He is sire of 39 winners in NZ including Ardens Choice (1:55.1, $282,296, seven wins, Caduceus Club 2f Classic, second Jewels Diamond – 2f, thirds Auckland Cup, Queen of Hearts, GN/NZ Oaks, NZSS 2f), Little Rascal (1:51.8AUS, $190,006, eight NZ/five Menangle wins)
The next three stallions have Perfect Profile (Nihilator/Rodine Hanover mare) as their dam :
Art Major (Artsplace), world champion racehorse and sire, richest and one of the fastest sons of Artsplace ($2.7m, 1:48.4US). He recorded numerous Group One successes including Cane Pace, Breeders Crown -3c/OP, Canadian Derby, US Pacing Championship together with USA/O’Brien [CAN] 3yo C&G and 4yo H&G of Year titles.
He is fourth on the list of horses to have sired 1:48 pacers behind Bettors Delight (10) Rocknroll Hanover (9) and Somebeachsomewhere (9) with eight – Art Official, Hypnotic Blue Chip, JK Panache, OK Commander, Art Professor, Odds on Equuieus, My Field Marshal, Courtly Choice. To date, Art Major has left over 2,000 winners worldwide, with 894 in Australia and 311 in NZ. His broodmare sire stats show seventeen winners in NZ and 128 in Australia.
Perfect Art (Artsplace), 1:51.0, $576,983, Hoosier Cup; leading sire of 2yo’s (2002/3), 3yo’s (2003/4) in Australia; sire in Australia (357), NZ (24) and almost 500 winners worldwide
including Goodlookin Girl (1:53.7, $361,445, Queen of the Pacific, Ladyship Mile), I Am Sam (1:54.4, $531,702, APG – 3c, ID heat), Sir Galvinator (1:56.8, $516,723, TAS Derby, APG – 3c), Slipnslide (millionaire, 1:54.1, QLD Derby, Chariots of Fire, Treuer Memorial, QLD Pacing Championship twice); broodmare sire in Australia (305), NZ (10) including Baranya, Heavens Trend, Lombo Navigator, Better To Be Bad, Colt Thirty One, Jilliby Kung Fu.
Western Edition (Western Hanover), 1:51.3, $81,566, sire of 39 Australian winners including Wicked Style (QLD Triad – 3c) with one broodmare sire credit.
Captaintreacherous (Somebeachsomewhere/Worldly Treasure, an Artsplace mare from World Order, Nihilator/Rodine Hanover), Art Major’s half-brother, 1:47.1US, $3,148,657, multiple Group One winner including Woodrow Wilson, NA Cup, Breeders Crown – 3c, Meadowlands/Cane/Tattersalls Paces. Oldest progeny two year olds North America 2018.
Vincent (Art Major entire by Artsplace/Perfect Profile, Nihilator/Rodine Hanover mare), 1:50.2, $610,066, NZ/NSW Derbies, NSW Breeders Challenge – 3c, Auckland Cup; standing his first season at stud in 2018, Alabar Australia.
Nihilator’s limited direct influence in New Zealand was due to restricted numbers of his progeny being landed here although a number of stallions whose maternal pedigrees incorporate Nihilator’s blood have and continue to be very successful in Australasia.
(stats to 3 February 2019)
Peter Craig
13 February 2019
This is a complete update of the abridged version of this article that first appeared in NZ Breeders Association magazine “Breeding Matters”, January 2019.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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