Just curious what people know about him, what he was like as a racehorse, what he produced and what his presence in a pedigree contributes (or detracts).
Thanks
Lyphard was a very nice Northern Dancer son who sired some top racehorses in the 80s, including European Horse of the Year Dancing Brave, Arc winner Three Troikas, and BC Turf winner Manila. He also lived a long life–he was retired at stud at age 27, but lived to be 36.
IIRC, Lyphard was on the small side (no bigger than 15.2).
He shows up twice in the pedigree of Animal Kingdom (just won the Kentucky Derby).
He was no slouch as a racehorse either. He ran unplaced in the English and Irish Derbies before they stepped him back in distance and he turned into a top class miler, winning two of the big three French WFA mile races, the Prix Jacques le Marois and the Prix del Foret (actually 7f) and getting nosed out on the line in the other, the Prix du Moulin.
His run in the '72 Derby (won by another famous sire in the making, Roberto), may be his most remembered run though, for all the wrong reasons. He came flying down the hill to Tattenham corner (with non other than Freddie Head in the irons) and completely blew the turn, almost ending up on the outside rail. As subsequent results showed, he was never going to get 12f anyway. Here’s the replay of that ill fated run (and what a great excuse to re watch that great duel between Roberto and Rheingold!!!).
And yes he was very small and stout, a replica of his sire in many ways.
I associate him with quickness and incredible athleticism. This is based on exercising a Lyphard mare for 3 years and owning a mare whose damsire is Lyphard’s Wish. Quick as a cat, smart and bold are the words that come to mind.
[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;5596171]
He was no slouch as a racehorse either. He ran unplaced in the English and Irish Derbies before they stepped him back in distance and he turned into a top class miler, winning two of the big three French WFA mile races, the Prix Jacques le Marois and the Prix del Foret (actually 7f) and getting nosed out on the line in the other, the Prix du Moulin.
His run in the '72 Derby (won by another famous sire in the making, Roberto), may be his most remembered run though, for all the wrong reasons. He came flying down the hill to Tattenham corner (with non other than Freddie Head in the irons) and completely blew the turn, almost ending up on the outside rail. As subsequent results showed, he was never going to get 12f anyway. Here’s the replay of that ill fated run (and what a great excuse to re watch that great duel between Roberto and Rheingold!!!).
And yes he was very small and stout, a replica of his sire in many ways.[/QUOTE]
Loved watching that replay. Thanks!
Thanks so much for all the info everyone. I don’t see too many pedigrees with him these days but definitely jump at the chance to own horses with him in the pedigree. All the descriptions you guys gave make me love his lines even more! Exactly what I’m looking for!!
Thanks to that race call, I finally know how to pronounce Lyphard!
Which is the link for the race?
Thanks !
I think he’s been a useful chasing line. Goofalik in Germany and Pharly in France are two of his sons with chasers.
Before I heard someone say the name, I thought it was pronounced like Clifford minus the “c”. :lol:
The word “replay” is the link in post 5
LBR
I always read it as lie ferd. Nice to finally hear it.
Where did they get the name? Does it have a specific meaning, or did they just think it sounded neat?
So cool to get this info. My now 27 yr old gelding is a ‘grand son’ of Lyphard by Lyphard’s Wish out of Ruthie’s Run. (sorry if I didn’t say that correctly in breeder speak) My gelding raced for 10 years and although a bit arthritic is still going strong. He is still handsome, strong and quite opinionated. He is very athletic. I don’t show and sometimes I wish I did more with him since he is/was so talented.
Thanks Lady Bug.
So, we pronounce his name “lee-furd”? Is that how?
Tx.
Same here! :winkgrin:
Like many offspring of Northern Dancer, the name has dancing reference. Lyphard was named for a ballet dancer (Serge Lifar), as was Nijinsky.
I currently have two Lyphard descendants in my barn and think they are both wonderful horses. He’s definitely one horse I like to see in my sporthorse pedigrees. 
