 He was sired by Boussac's stallion Pharis, a horse that "Thoroughbred Heritage" says is "considered one of the greatest French-bred runners of the century".Ardan's dam, Adargatis, was by Asterus who had been a six-time Leading Sire of Broodmares in France.Pardal (1947), who won the Jockey Club Stakes and five other good races was a full brother to Ardan.