| The Minstrel | |
|---|---|
 Racing silks of Robert Sangster | |
| Sire | Northern Dancer |
| Grandsire | Nearctic |
| Dam | Fleur (USA) |
| Damsire | Victoria Park |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 11 March 1974 |
| Country | Canada |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | Windfields Farm |
| Owner | Robert Sangster |
| Trainer | Vincent O'Brien |
| Record | 9: 7-1-1 |
| Earnings | £333,197[1] ($570,605) |
| Major wins | |
| Dewhurst Stakes (1976) 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes (1977) Epsom Derby (1977) Irish Derby (1977) K. George VI & Q. Elizabeth Stakes (1977) | |
| Awards | |
| Horse of the Year in the United Kingdom (1977) Horse of the Year in Ireland (1977) Timeform rating: 135 | |
| Honours | |
| Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (1979) Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh | |
| Last updated on 3 May 2011 | |
The Minstrel (11 March 1974 – 3 September 1990) was a Canadian-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Bred in Ontario, he was sold as a yearling and exported to Europe, where he was campaigned in Ireland and the United Kingdom. As a two-year-old The Minstrel was unbeaten in three races, including the Dewhurst Stakes, but lost two of his first three starts in 1977. He was then moved up in distance and won his remaining three races: the Epsom Derby, the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
These performances led to The Minstrel becoming horse of the year in the UK and later being inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The Minstrel spent his stud career in the United States, where he had considerable success as a sire of winners.
- ^ Pickering, Martin (1981). Pedigrees of Leading Winners 1960–1980. London: J.A. Allen & Co. Ltd. p. 184. ISBN 0-85131-372-8.