Throwback Thursday: Niatross

A horse so dominant he was never involved in a photo finish to win. A horse so fast that he held 15 world records at the time of his retirement. A horse so generational that he established a record for speed that shaved nearly three full seconds off the previous standard set nine years prior, and would stand for another eight after.

It was 40 years ago today -- March 30, 1977 -- that a son of Albatross out of Niagara Dream was born. That horse, who would eventually be known as Niatross, would go on to a career of legend. With trainer Clint Galbraith at the controls, Niatross won a remarkable 37 of 39 career starts and more than $2 million in purses.

In addition to all of the records and wins, including a Canadian record of 1:53.4 in the 1980 Prix d'Été at Montreal’s Blue Bonnets, many of harness racing's fans recall the two races that Niatross lost just as if not more vivdly than his thoroughly impressive victories.

Niatross and driver Clint Galbraith fall over the Saratoga hubrail

Niatross was perfect as a pacer could be until his famed fall over the hubrail at Saratoga. In his next start he made a speed break in an elimination of the Meadowlands Pace after hitting his hocks on the racebike and came to nearly a complete stop, recovering to finish fourth and qualify for the final. He never lost again. Niatross reeled off 18 straight wins before his retirement on December 27, 1980 at Pompano Park.

"Not everyday is going to be perfect for a racehorse," said Bob 'Hollywood' Heyden in reference to the two races Niatross lost. "When you set the standard as high as these kinds of horses, you're much more likely to remember a race day loss -- like Somebeachsomewhere -- than all the races they won, because they're so rare...it's such an unusual occurrence."

In Trot Magazine's top 40 moments of the last 40 years published in December 2014, the highest ranked moment that technically wasn't a race was the legendary Niatross time trial at The Red Mile.

#4 - Niatross goes 1:49.1 in Red Mile Time Trial
October 1, 1980, The Red Mile – The harness racing world is focused on The Red Mile where Niatross would attempt to become the fastest pacer of all-time. While some wonder whether he’ll be able to beat his world mark of 1:52.4, or Steady Star’s time trial record of 1:52, others ponder the unthinkable – a 1:50 mile. After posting fractions of :27.3, :54.3 and 1:21.4 for the first three-quarters of the mile, the crowd roars. At the wire, Niatross has paced the mile in 1:49.1 -– a moment that won’t soon be forgotten.

Niatross was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2013 along with Thoroughbred racing icon Secretariat. Interestingly, both of these electrifying athletes share the March 30 birthdate.