Himyar (1875 – December 30, 1905) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Although successful as a racehorse he is most notable as the sire of 1898 Kentucky Derby winner Plaudit and Domino, the grandsire of Colin and Peter Pan. Himyar lived to be thirty years old, outliving both Domino and his famous grandson Commando, who both died young.

Early years and racing career Himyar was a light bay colt sired by Alarm, who was a son of the British-bred stallion Eclipse (by Orlando). His dam Hira was sired by the 19th-century foundation sire, Lexington. Himyar was foaled in 1875 at Dixiana Farm, the Lexington stud farm of Major Barak Thomas, who also owned Himyar's sire Alarm.

Himyar had a nervous disposition and was difficult to train. He was described by sportswriter Charles Hatton as "light-boned, sickle-hocked [and] heavy-quartered."

Himyar showed promising form as a two-year-old, winning many high dollar stakes races while racing in "the West", which at the time referred to Kentucky and Tennessee. His main wins at age two included the Colt Stakes over 6 furlongs at Lexington, the Colt and Filly Stakes over 8 furlongs at Lexington and the Belle Meade Stakes at Louisville. He was retroactively considered the co-champion two-year-old colt of 1877.

At age three, Himyar won the Phoenix Hotel Stakes over 14 furlongs at Lexington, the Belle Meade Stakes over 12 furlongs in Nashville and the January Stakes, consisting of 1-mile heats. He was second in the 1878 Kentucky Derby, losing to Day Star by two lengths.

As an older horse, Himyar's main wins came in the Merchants' Stakes over 9 furlongs and the Turf Stakes, both in 1880. Himyar injured his leg in May 1881 and was retired from racing at six years old.NY Times. May 2, 1881

Stud career Himyar stood at stud for 16 years at Dixiana Farm but was sold in 1897 by Thomas, who was experiencing financial difficulties and was then bought by Edwin Sumner Gardner of Saundersville, Tennessee for $2,500.Thomas B. Merry. The American Thoroughbred. 1905. p. 120. Himyar died at Gardner's Avondale Stud farm on December 30, 1905, of old ageDaily Racing Form. August 30, 1912 and was buried with the epitaph, "From his ashes speed springs eternal."Daily Racing Form. May 1, 1948 Himyar's most notable offspring are the colts, Domino, who was nicknamed 'the black whirlwind' during his racing career, and Plaudit. He also sired the filly Correction in 1888, who won 38 major stakes races and was considered one of the fastest fillies of the time.

Himyar was the leading sire in North America of 1893. Through Plaudit, Himyar appears in the pedigrees of many Quarter Horses and his line is carried through the descendants of Holy Bull (through Plaudit) and Broad Brush (through Domino). The Himyar sire-line also produced the 1983 Epsom Derby winner Teenoso.

Honors The town of Himyar, Kentucky was named in honor of the racehorse.

Sire line tree

HimyarDarley Arabian Line: Camel BranchJumpers: Darley Arabian Sire LineSire Line: CamelAmerican Classic Pedigree: HimyarPortrait: Alarm Faraday Oxford OracleImage: Oracle II DominoPortrait: DominoHall of Fame: DominoAmerican Classic Pedigree: DominoThe Dynasty of Domino DisguiseAmerican Classic Pedigree: Disguise Helmet Bob Tail Iron Mask Doublet Unmasked CommandoPortrait: CommandoHall of Fame: CommandoAmerican Classic Pedigree: Commando Peter PanPortrait: Peter PanHall of Fame: Peter PanAmerican Classic Pedigree: Peter Pan Black ToneyPortrait: Black ToneyAmerican Classic Pedigree: Black Toney PennantAmerican Classic Pedigree Tryster LauranoBelmont Parks Inaugural Day: Three-Year-Old Laurano Scores Notable Triumph in Metropolitan Handicap Croyden Macaw Captain Kettle Peter Hastings Superman Gladiator Surf Rider CeltAmerican Classic Pedigree: Celt Dunboyne Touch Me Not Peter Quince Papp Peter King ColinPortrait: ColinHall of Fame: ColinAmerican Classic Pedigree: Colin Gentle Shepherd On WatchPortrait: On WatchAmerican Classic Pedigree: On Watch Jock Neddie Transvaal Boniface UltimusPortrait: UltimusAmerican Classic Pedigree: Ultimus Luke McLukeAmerican Classic Pedigree: Luke McLuke High Cloud High TimeAmerican Classic Pedigree: High Time Infinite Westwick StimulusAmerican Classic Pedigree: Stimulus Supremus Kimberley Mardi Gras Olympian The Regent Halton Harry Reed PlauditPortrait: PlauditAmerican Classic Pedigree: Plaudit Siglight King JamesPortrait: King JamesAmerican Classic Pedigree: King James SpurAmerican Classic Pedigree: Spur StingAmerican Classic Pedigree: Sting My Own King Nadi Edward Harrigan Plate Glass Plaudmore St Paul Maternal Pride Onager Bringhurst Virginia Yell King Plaudit PlauditAQHA: Plaudit Question Mark Scooter W Hyphen

Pedigree

References