Sir Tristram equal with Northern Dancer

Press, 3 February 1987, Page 26

Sir Tristram equal with Northern Dancer

NZPA Sydney The Cambridge Stud sire Sir Tristram could soon claim the title of “the world’s most prolific modern-day sire of group one winners.” Fair Sir’s victory in the sAusil million Australasian in Perth last week drew Sir Tristram level with all-the-way leader Northern Dancer on the list of individual group one winners, according to “The Australian” newspaper yesterday. The list has been compiled since the introduction of the International Classification of Group and Graded Races, it said. The Irish-bred and Cambridge-based Sir Tristram has produced 25 group one winners from nine racing crops, whereas Northern Dancer needed 19 crops to achieve the same number. The newspaper said Sir Tristram (Sir Ivor—lsolt, by Round Table) had threatened Northern Dancer’s lead for some time. Northern Dancer, now aged 26, and commonly regarded as the pre-eminent stallion of the modern era, suffered a

drought of group one success between the IBM Eclipse Stakes at Sandowo, won by. Sadler's Wells, and last Oct#, ber’s Newmarket Dewhurst Stakes for two-year-olds, won by AdJaL Sir Tristram was credited with his 21st group one winner when “Filly of the Year,” Royal Heights, led home two other daughters (of Sir Tristram) in the New Zealand Oaks at Trentham In January, lsM.lt was not until November, when Cure scored a resounding win in the New Zealand 19H Guineas at Riccarton, that he added to his tally but they have come in quick succession since. . • u Military Plume, an unlucky second to Fair Sir In The Australasian, won the Rothwells Stakes at Perth’s Ascot track late in December; Starline won the New Zealand Oaks on Jaunary 24, and Fair Sir The Australasian two days later. And with a least of group one races on offer in Australia this autumn, Sir Tristram’s chance to take the lead from Northern Dancer looks close at hand.