Nijinsky’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Win Celebrated With QIPCO Diamonds And Pearls Award On 50th Anniversary

Each year, to mark QIPCO's sponsorship of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the winner of a vintage renewal is commemorated. To honor his illustrious achievements and victory in the race 50 years ago, Nijinsky became the latest recipient of the QIPCO Diamonds & Pearls award, won last year by Nashwan.

The son of Northern Dancer had already captured the 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby, and started at odds of 40-85 for Ascot's 1970 renewal. Nijinsky, the only 3-year-old in the field, cruised past his rivals on the bridle and defeated the previous year's Derby winner, Blakeney, to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes by an effortless two lengths.

Owned by Charles W. Engelhard Jr., trained by Vincent O'Brien and partnered by jockey Lester Piggott, Nijinsky went on to win the St Leger, and in doing so, became the first racehorse in 35 years to win the Triple Crown. A feat which no colt has matched since.

Following his impressive racing career, Nijinsky went on to stand at stud in the U.S. where he sired 155 stakes/group winners and remains the only sire to have the winner at the Kentucky and Epsom Derbies in the same year (1986 – Ferdinand & Sharastani). His notable progeny include King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners Ile de Bourbon (1978) and Lammtarra (1995).

Lester Piggott, retired jockey, said;

“I am delighted to receive the QIPCO Diamonds and Pearls award. Nijinsky was a wonderful horse and was unbeaten at the time. There was a lot of hype going into the King George – the opposition was decent, they were good horses, every one of them had a chance. You had all the best – obviously we thought he would win. He came to the other horses in the straight so easily, it was hard to believe really but he won in a canter. It was a wonderful win and was probably the best performance of his career.”

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Nijinsky II Awarded QIPCO Diamonds and Pearls Award

British Triple Crown hero Nijinsky II (Northern Dancer) won the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. 50 years ago this year, and was awarded the QIPCO Diamonds & Pearls award, Ascot Racecourse and QIPCO announced on Thursday. The award celebrates the winner of a vintage renewal of the King George. Owned by Charles W. Engelhard, Jr. and trained by Vincent O’Brien, the bay delivered as the only 3-year-old in the field, having already claimed victory in the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and Irish Derby. After his King George triumph, he would add the St Leger and become the last British Triple Crown winner to date. At stud, he sired 155 black-type winners, including G1 Epsom Derby winner Shahrastani and GI Kentucky Derby hero Ferdinand in the same year, 1986.

“I am delighted to receive the QIPCO Diamonds and Pearls award,” said Nijinsky II’s former jockey Lester Piggott. Nijinsky was a wonderful horse and was unbeaten at the time. There was a lot of hype going into the King George–the opposition was decent, they were good horses, every one of them had a chance. You had all the best–obviously we thought he would win. He came to the other horses in the straight so easily, it was hard to believe really but he won in a canter. It was a wonderful win and was probably the best performance of his career.”

Click here to view the video of Lester Piggott reliving Nijinsky II’s King George.

The post Nijinsky II Awarded QIPCO Diamonds and Pearls Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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