Nearco, the Italian Stallion and the Godfather of Thoroughbreds

Written By Leeanne Meadows Ladin

Nearco (1935 - 1957)

Nearco, living up to the meaning of his name in ancient Greek as “new ruler,” stamped his place in history as one of the most prepotent and consequential sires of the 20th century. He was also one of the most successful racehorses of his era, undefeated in 14 races.  His victory in the Grand Prix de Paris in 1938 was called his crowning glory. 

Nearco was bred and raced by one of the most successful and influential horsemen of his time, the renowned Federico Tesio of Italy.  Tesio, a breeder and geneticist, held views that were often contrary to the prevailing wisdom of the day.  He would frequently purchase less “fashionable” mares and stallions because of something he discerned in their pedigrees. Many times over, his unorthodox formula produced international champions.

 Mussolini and the looming threat of war curtailed Nearco’s time in Italy with Tesio. In 1938, Tesio sold Nearco to Martin Benson of Beech House Stud in England. The stallion went on to produce the winners of some 657 races. 

Nearco’s impact on breeding earned him the moniker “the godfather of Thoroughbreds.”  His influence leaped to America in 1949 when A. B. “Bull” Hancock of Claiborne Farm and his syndicate purchased his son Nasrullah to infuse American horses with that potent Nearco blood.

The wisdom of that timely purchase became abundantly clear with the success of Nasrullah’s son Bold Ruler, who reigned as Leading General Sire eight times from 1963-69; and in 1973.  He also was named Leading Juvenile Sire seven times from 1963-64; 1966-68; and 1972.  Additionally, The Blood-Horse Magazine’s list of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th century includes several Nearco descendants:  Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Bold Ruler, Nashua, Ruffian, Northern Dancer and Riva Ridge.

Secretariat, who sired 653 foals, continued to perpetuate this remarkable bloodline. The last two Triple Crown winners – American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018 – carry the enduring genes of the “Italian Stallion” courtesy of Secretariat’s descendants Storm Cat and A. P. Indy.

Thus, the influence of Nearco was felt at Claiborne Farm, Meadow Stable, and far beyond. 

by Leeanne Meadows Ladin, Secretariat author/historian

Leeanne Meadows Ladin

Leeanne Meadows Ladin is an award-winning author, historian, speaker and lifelong equestrian. She has written seven books, including “Secretariat’s Meadow – The Land, The Family, The Legend,” which she co-wrote with Kate Chenery Tweedy and Penny Chenery. The book was published in 2010 and has sold over 45,000 copies. Leeanne also developed and ran the original Secretariat Birthplace Tour program at The Meadow from 2010-2020. One of her proudest accomplishments was getting the original barns built in 1936 listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Historic Landmark Register.  Leeanne and her husband Gary lived at The Meadow for several years and now reside in Montpelier on their 1850-era horse farm. One of her horses is a descendant of Secretariat.

As a founding member of the Secretariat For Virginia committee, Leeanne helped bring the “Secretariat Racing Into History” monument to Ashland as the first and only statue of the Triple Crown champion in Virginia.  She is an in-demand speaker whose presentation “Galloping Through Virginia Horse Racing History with Secretariat” is an eye-opening ride tracing Secretariat’s Virginia roots and legendary career, along with the illustrious role of the Commonwealth as the cradle of American horse racing.

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Nasrullah, the Irish Rogue