Bred by Ogden Mills Phipps, he was a son of the most important sire of the 20th Century, Northern Dancer and from the mare Bold Princess, a daughter of the eight-time Leading sire in North America, Bold Ruler.
[citation needed] At age four Sovereign Dancer was sold to Alec Head's Haras du Quesnay near Deauville in the Lower Normandy region of France where he compiled a record of two wins, three seconds, and a third in ten starts on grass for trainer Criquette Head-Maarek.
His best result in a Conditions race was a second in the Group 3 Grand Prix de Vichy.
[citation needed] Retired from racing after the 1979 season, Sovereign Dancer returned to stand at stud in the United States.
A successful sire, some of his important sons include: Damsire: