Horse racing fans of a certain age will remember Dayjur. And if the name isn’t familiar to you then you will enjoy reminiscing about this exceptionally talented and super-fast horse. Trained by the Major Dick Hern, in the ownership of Sheikh Hamdam Al-Maktoum, ridden in all his 11 races by Willie Carson.
He had a relatively short career spanning from June 1989 – October 1990.
A hugely expensive yearling purchase at $1.65m, this diminutive colt (15.3 hands) dominated European sprinting winning the following races:
All 1990:
Temple Stakes 5f (Group 2)
King’s Stand Stakes 5f (Group 2)
Nunthorpe Stakes 5f (Group 1)
Ladbroke’s Sprint Cup 6f (Group 1)
Prix de’l’Abbaye de Longchamp 5f (Group 1)
This son of Danzig out of the mare Gold Beauty won 7 of his 11 starts, but his final start would be one of the most dramatic races of all time. Having proven to be the fastest sprinter in Europe, connections headed to the United States to contest the Breeders’ Cup Sprint over 6f (Dirt) at Belmont Park.
The Racing Post and Sporting Life called him ‘The world’s fastest horse’
27th October 1990
Belmont Stakes (Grade 1)
Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Dirt) 6f
Runners: 14
Horse Racing Replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xgZV9ADl9s
If you haven’t seen this race then you really should.
The race was seen as a dual between American hope Safely Kept Vs Dayjur.
Safely Kept, the only filly in the race, had finished runner-up in the 1989 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and in 1990 had won 7 or her 9 races.
As the presenter said: ‘How would he handle his first career start on dirt?’
‘And they’re off…’
Dayjur wasn’t helped by a relatively wide draw and a tardy start, while Safely Kept shot out of the gates to secure a two-length lead. Willie Carson pushed forward, rapidly making up ground to sit in second place at the quarter pole, with Glitterman in third. Within strides, it was a two-horse race, with little to choose between Safely Kept and the challenging Dayjur at the half-mile pole.
In the final furlong, Dayjur nosed ahead looking to have the edge over the strong filly when he jumped a shadow losing his momentum and the filly regained the lead to win by a neck.
The commentator said: ‘Dayjur took a bad step 10-feet from the wire…’
As he crossed the line in second, you could see Willie Carson shaking his head in disbelief.
The commentator continued: ‘They were clearly the best two sprinters in the world but victory has gone to the American filly.’
‘It seemed like Dayjur had the race in hand, when in the final strides he jumped shadows and lost his action.’
Carson said: ‘He jumped a shadow. I’ve never known anything like it. He was going so well – we had it won.’
The incident become one of racing’s most famous stories.
Sadly in the race Mr. Nickerson suffered a heart attack, bringing down Shake Knit. Both horses died.