Golden Fleece (horse)

Golden Fleece
Golden Fleece & Pat Eddery at Leopardstown, May 1982
Sire	Nijinsky
Grandsire	Northern Dancer
Dam	Exotic Treat
Damsire	Vaguely Noble
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1979
Country	United States
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Mr & Mrs Paul Hexter
Owner	Robert Sangster
Trainer	Vincent O'Brien
Record	4: 4-0-0
Earnings	$283,967
Major wins
Nijinsky Stakes (1982) Ballymoss Stakes (1982) Epsom Derby (1982)
Awards
Top-rated European racehorse (1982) Timeform rating 99 (1981), 133 (1982)

Golden Fleece (1979–1984) was an American-bred and Irish-trained Thoroughbred race horse and sire. In a career which consisted of only four races, he was undefeated, with his most notable success coming on his final racecourse appearance in the 1982 Epsom Derby.

Golden Fleece was a big, heavily built bay horse bred in the United States by Mr & Mrs Paul Hexter. He was foaled and raised at Hilary J. Boone's Wimbledon Farm in Fayette County, Kentucky. As a yearling, he was sent to the sales and bought for $775,000 by Robert Sangster. He was sent to Ireland to be trained by Vincent O'Brien at Ballydoyle.

Golden Fleece was sire by Nijinsky, the Canadian-bred winner of the English Triple Crown in 1970 who went on to become an important stallion, siring horses such as Ferdinand, Lammtarra, Sky Classic and Shahrastani. Golden Fleece's dam, Exotic Treat, produced at least four other winners.

Golden Fleece began his racing career in September 1981 when he contested a one mile maiden race at Leopardstown Racecourse. Ridden by Pat Eddery, he took the lead in the straight and won decisively from Assert, despite being eased down in the closing stages. Golden Fleece did not race again in 1981, but his form was boosted when Assert won the Beresford Stakes by four lengths.

In the spring of 1982, Golden Fleece established himself as a leading contender for the Derby by winning the Ballymoss Stakes at the Curragh and the Nijinsky Stakes at Leopardstown. His participation in the Classic was briefly put in doubt by a minor training injury, but he made a quick recovery.