Amato (horse)
Encyclopedia
Amato was an English bred, English trained thoroughbred racehorse who won the Derby Stakes
in 1838 on his only racecourse appearance. He was then injured and retired undefeated.
in 1835, and was by Velocipede out of Jane Shaw, by Woful out of Bella Dona (bred by the Duke of York in 1816), by Seymour . In his pedigree were notable thoroughbreds such as Perdita, Old Partner and Yellow Turk. At fifteen hands two inches Amato was on the small side and described as wiry.
Epsom's undulating cambers suited Heathcote’s horse who led from the mile post coming home to win by a length from Ion, with Grey Momus three lengths third. At 33/1 Amato’s victory was unexpected.
When Amato died in 1841 At least one reference gives the death of Amato as January 1843 his body was buried in the grounds of Durdans, a stone that is still visible marking the spot.
He was painted by John Frederick Herring, Snr
.
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
in 1838 on his only racecourse appearance. He was then injured and retired undefeated.
Breeding
Amato was a brown bay colt, bred on Epsom Downs by Sir Gilbert HeathcoteSir Gilbert Heathcote, 4th Baronet
Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 4th Baronet was a British Member of Parliament.Heathcote was the son of Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 3rd Baronet by his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Hudson...
in 1835, and was by Velocipede out of Jane Shaw, by Woful out of Bella Dona (bred by the Duke of York in 1816), by Seymour . In his pedigree were notable thoroughbreds such as Perdita, Old Partner and Yellow Turk. At fifteen hands two inches Amato was on the small side and described as wiry.
Racing career
The Epsom trained Amato ridden by Jem Chapple won the 1838 Derby Stakes. According to contemporary accounts the start of Amato’s Derby was an unsatisfactory one. Before the flag was finally lowered there were three breaks away and when the signal to ‘go’ arrived two horses were left at the start whilst several others were slowly away. .Epsom's undulating cambers suited Heathcote’s horse who led from the mile post coming home to win by a length from Ion, with Grey Momus three lengths third. At 33/1 Amato’s victory was unexpected.
Local notoriety
Amato who was bred at The Durdans in Epsom by Heathcote and trained by local trainer Ralph Sherwood was a popular winner and today stands a public house, the ‘Amato Inn’ named in honour of the Derby winner. In a tradition going back 170 years the publican tips the winner of the Derby and displays the name for the race goers on the morning of The DerbyWhen Amato died in 1841 At least one reference gives the death of Amato as January 1843 his body was buried in the grounds of Durdans, a stone that is still visible marking the spot.
He was painted by John Frederick Herring, Snr
John Frederick Herring, Sr.
John Frederick Herring, Sr. , also known as John Frederick Herring I, was a painter, sign maker and coachman in Victorian England.John F. Herring, Sr. is the painter of the 1848 "Pharoah's Chariot Horses"...
.