Joyeux Danseur - Nureyev - Fabuleux Jane, by Le Fabuleux
Joyeux Danseur began his career as a 3-year-old in France under trainer Nicolas Clement, but came to the United States after only two races there. He did not run from May of 1996 until May of 1997, when new trainer Albert Stall Jr. tried him on dirt. He broke his maiden on turf the next time out, and began a streak where he would win eight of nine races while remaining on the grass. He spent 1997, as a 4-year-old, in allowance company, and his only loss during this time was a troubled third in the River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs in his only stakes attempt.
Last year, as a 5-year-old, though, Joyeux Danseur came into his own. He exploded onto the scene in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap at the Fair Grounds, winning the 1 1/16 mile feature by 7 1/2 lengths. He added the Fair Grounds Breeders' Cup Handicap and the Explosive Bid Handicap (gr. IIIT) before winning his most impressive race. In the Early Times Turf Classic (gr. IT) at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby (gr. I) day, favored Joyeux Danseur entered his first grade I event. He ran several paths wide around both turns, but led the entire way to defeat Lasting Approval and Hawksley Hill by more than three lengths.
Generous horse that he is, Joyeux Danseur gave not only his trainer his first grade I victory, but his jockey Robby Albarado and his owner, B. Wayne Hughes their first grade I wins as well. Three Chimneys and Tracy Farmer each purchased an interest in him in early October. After taking the summer off, Joyeux Danseur returned in the Keeneland Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IIT) on October 17, but blew a shoe in the race and finished fifth, 5 1/2 lengths behind Favorite Trick. Joyeux Danseur had not lost in 1998 prior to that race, having won his previous four races by a total of more than 22 lengths. He entered the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) as one of the leading contenders, but did not run well at all to finish a disappointing seventh.
Still considered one of the best turf horses of 1998, Joyeux Danseur retired to Three Chimneys with a record of 14: 8-0-1 and earnings of $645,226.