Dragon's Lair dies at 25

Dragon's Lair, whose upset victory over Nihilator in the initial year of the Breeders Crown in 1984 is still considered one of the most memorable Crown races in history, died Monday morning at Lindwood Farm in Greensburg, Pa., at the age of 25.

"He is going to be missed here at Linwood Farm, I'll tell you that," said Linwood Farm owner Logan Dickerson.

Dragon's Lair won 30 of his 66 career starts but it was that win over Nihilator in the second of the two-heat Breeders Crown after losing the first heat that Oct. 12, 1984, night at The Meadows that is remembered most.

"I'm sure we've had some upsets that were sensational over the years, but it send the tone for the Breeders Crown, not only on the racetrack but for the voter's perception on how important the races were," remembered Hambletonian Society president and CEO Tom Charters. The Dragon's Lair/Nihilator match-up was just the third Breeders Crown event ever contested.

Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and owned early in his career by Harvey Heller, Gary Kornfield and trainer-driver Jeff Mallet and later on by the Dragon's Lair syndicate headed by Lou Guida, Dragon's Lair finished his racing career with earnings of $1,085,317. The son of Tyler B took his mark of 1:51.3 in a qualifier at Vernon Downs.

Dragon's Lair went on to a successful stallion career, siring the winners of more than $48 million. His fastest and richest progeny is Dragon Again p, 1:48.3 ($2,343,428). He sire 10 winners of $500,000 or more, including Stone Dragon p,4, 1:50.4 ($929,495) and Electric Slide p,3, 1:52.4 ($908,792). Besides Dragon Again, he also sired sub-1:50 performers Parson's Den (1:49.4) and Stand Forever, whose 1:49.2 win in the 1996 Senior Jug at the Delaware, Ohio fairgrounds set a new world record.

« Back