Four-year-old pacing stallion Nijinsky, an O'Brien Award winner and North America Cup champion, will stand stud in 2026.
Nijinsky, p,2, 1:53.4s; 3, 1:47.3 -'24 ($2,040,117) will stand at Winbak Farm of New York for the 2026 breeding season.
“Nijinsky has taken us on an incredible ride with everything he accomplished on the racetrack,” said trainer Anthony Beaton. “He’s an exceptionally gifted athlete who showed determination, toughness and heart every time he stepped foot on the track.”
Nijinsky, sired by Bettors Delight, is the richest son out of multiple stakes winner Pirouette Hanover, p, 2, 1:51.1; 3, 1:50.3 ($607,694). He is a half-brother to 36-time winner Alexa Skye, p, 2, 1:53.1s; 3, 1:50.1; 1:49.3f -'24 ($805,312), 37-time winner Macadoodledoo, p, 3, 1:51.2f; 1:49.4f ($501,824), and Ohio stakes placed Downbythewater, p, 2, 1:52.2f; 3, 1:52.1h -'25; BT1:49f-'25 ($226,471).
“Nijinsky was a $120,000 yearling that was purchased at Harrisburg,” said Jack Burke, Winbak Farm General Manager. “His great looks combined with his outstanding family, made him one that Casie Coleman and partners [Ross Warriner], Mark Dumain and John Fielding had to have.”
As a two-year-old, Nijinsky was second in Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Gold divisions at Woodbine Mohawk Park (timed in 1:51.2) and Flamboro Downs (timed in 1:53.4), and was third in the Champlain Stakes at Mohawk (timed in 1:51.1 with a last quarter of :26) and third in another OSS Gold division at Mohawk (timed in 1:52).
Nijinsky was the highest earning pacer in North America in his sophomore season in 2024 with $1,665,887 in purses and was the O’Brien Award winner as Three-Year-Old Male Pace of the Year.
“Nijinsky is a great-looking colt with perfect conformation and great manners,” said Coleman, co-owner as part of West Wins Stable. “You could race him any way you wanted to and he had unreal speed.”
Nijinsky was undefeated in Canada during his three-year-old season.
“Perhaps two of Nijinsky’s most powerful performances were when he won both the North America Cup elimination and final,” said Joe Thomson, owner of Winbak Farm. “He won the North America Cup final in 1:48.1 against the best of his season with a tough trip.”
Nijinsky defeated future millionaires Captain Albano and Legendary Hanover in the North America Cup final after not seeing the rail for most of the mile.
He had started his three-year-old stakes season off by winning a Gold division of the OSS in 1:49.4 with a last quarter of :25.4. In addition, he won another OSS Gold division (1:51) as well as the OSS Gold Mid-Season Final (1:50.2) and OSS Super Final (1:50.3). He also won divisions of the Simcoe Stakes (1:48.4) and Somebeachsomewhere Stakes (1:49), all at Mohawk.
“Nijinsky was powerful with a very efficient gait and what him made much better than most of the other fast horses, is that he was a very smart animal on the track,” said Louis-Philippe Roy, the stallion's regular driver. “He could race any way you wanted him to; you would never have to fight with him and you could use his speed whenever you wanted to.”
In stateside competition during his sophomore season, Nijinsky also won his Meadowlands Pace elimination in 1:47.3 and was second in the final. He won the Monument Circle Stakes at Hoosier Park in 1:48.4. He was second in an elimination and the final of the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands and was also second in the Progress Pace at Dover Downs
“He gave it everything he had every time raced with a huge heart and great lungs,” said Coleman. “He was a pleasure to train and have in the barn.”
During his four-year-old season, Nijinsky was a winner in two Graduate Series legs and was second in a Breeders Crown elimination, the Mohawk Gold Cup and Potomac Pace Invitational. He was third in the Graduate final.
“Always eager to please, he gave everything he had in every task we asked of him,” said Beaton. “We’re very grateful for all he’s given us and will miss his unique personality in the barn, but we’re thrilled to witness the next chapter of his journey.”
Nijinsky will be standing for $6,000 USD at Winbak Farm of New York. Syndication is available.
“Nijinsky caught my attention during his phenomenal three-year-old season,” said Noelle Duspiva, Winbak Farm of New York Manager. “He had quick speed, top-shelf ability and true grit -- I believe those traits should pass to his future offspring.”
“As he begins his new career, we celebrate all he’s accomplished and look forward to seeing the impact he will have on the next generation of racing through his offspring,” said Beaton.
Winbak Farm thanks Nijinsky's ownership group for the opportunity to partner on the stallion.
“With Bettors Delight retiring to the southern hemisphere, it is time for one of his sons to step up and fill his legendary shoes,” said Thomson. “Nijinsky has the qualities needed to make him a top stallion and we plan on breeding some of our best mares to him.”
For more information, call Winbak's Jack Burke at 410-885-3059.
(With files from Winbak Farm of New York)