Bay Middleton (horse)
Encyclopedia
Bay Middleton was an undefeated Thoroughbred
racehorse whose victories included two British Classic Races. He was twice the Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland.
, ran from age two to eight, winning the July Stakes
, the Trial Stakes (Newmarket) twice, and came second in the Derby
. At stud, he was Leading Sire
from 1832 to 1837, during which time he sired Glencoe, Achmet, Ibrahim, Augustus, Galata, Green Mantle and Destiny. Selim, was not only beautiful, but won several races including Newmarket's Oatlands twice.
Bay Middleton's dam, Cobweb, was referred to as the "Queen of racing mares." She was undefeated on the turf, winning the Oaks
and the 1,000 Guineas. Cobweb was a granddaughter of the great mare, Web, who also produced the influential Trampoline
(1825, also dam of the 2,000 Guineas winner Glencoe), and Cobweb's dam Filagree (1815). Bay Middleton was Cobweb's seventh foal.
Filagree went on to produce two 1,000 Guineas winners: Charlotte West and Clementina. Clementia was also a successful broodmare, and from her descends the filly Jest, the St. Leger Stakes
winner Black Jester, Royal Palace, 2,000 Guineas and Grand Prix de Paris
winner Paradox, and the broodmare La Troienne
. Filagree also produced two 2,000 Guineas winning sons, Riddlesworth and Achment (1834); six winners of the Riddlesworth Stakes, and the stallion Young Emilius (1828, by Emilius), who was sold to France where he got Prix du Jockey Club
winner Amalfi and Fitz-Emilius.
and bolted. However, Robinson continued to ride the horse throughout his one-season career, in 1836.
In his maiden race, the Riddlesworth Stakes (Newmarket Craven) he defeated five other horses in the "commonest of canters. " He was in good company that day, beating Mendicant, the 1,000 Guineas winner Destiny (by Sultan), and Magician (by Zinganee). Bay Middleton won his second race with walk over, for £150, before taking the 2,000 Guineas (Newmarket), defeated Elis and four others at a speed which was is debated to have been a new record. He then won the Epsom Derby by two lengths, to beat 21 horses including Gladiator, Slane, and Venison. His next race was in the Buckhurst Stakes at Ascot, where he won in a canter.
At the Grand Duke Michael Stakes, 21 horses withdrew to leave only Bay Middleton and St. Leger winner Elis. Bay Middleton pulled ahead, being hit once with the whip—the single time it was used in his career—to win by a length. The colt finished his race career with a match at Newmarket Houghton against Muezzin for 300 guineas. Despite carrying the greater weight, he won "with ridiculous ease."
Following this race, he was sold to Lord George Bentinck for 4,000 guineas, who wished to run the colt in the Ascot Gold Cup. However, this dream was never realized as Bay Middleton had physical problems with one of his forelegs, attributed to either the tendons or to a broken bone in his hoof. So he was retired and sent to stud.
, The Hermit, Andover, and Aphrodite, but many of his get had a tendency to roar, and he also seemed to pass on club-footedness to his offspring (possibly due to the Soothsayer blood in his veins).
Bay Middleton stood at the brand-new Bentinck's stud, first for a fee of 30 guineas, which would drop during his breeding career to 10 guineas, before it reached 50 guineas at the end of his career. His ownership also changed during this time, as he was sold to E.L. Mostyn after Bentinck died in 1848. He died himself after an illness on 17 November 1857, and was buried near his stall door.
His important progeny included:
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse whose victories included two British Classic Races. He was twice the Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland.
Breeding
Bay Middleton's breeding was superb. His sire, SultanSultan (horse)
Sultan was a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and a leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland for six successive seasons.-Breeding:He was by Selim , out of Bacchante by Williamson's Ditto. Sultan was inbred to three great sires, Herod , Eclipse , to Herod's best son, Highflyer...
, ran from age two to eight, winning the July Stakes
July Stakes
The July Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
, the Trial Stakes (Newmarket) twice, and came second in the Derby
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...
. At stud, he was Leading Sire
Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland
The list below shows the leading sire of racehorses in Great Britain and Ireland for each year since 1751. This is determined by the amount of prize money won by the sire's progeny during the season.----- References :* -See also:...
from 1832 to 1837, during which time he sired Glencoe, Achmet, Ibrahim, Augustus, Galata, Green Mantle and Destiny. Selim, was not only beautiful, but won several races including Newmarket's Oatlands twice.
Bay Middleton's dam, Cobweb, was referred to as the "Queen of racing mares." She was undefeated on the turf, winning the Oaks
Epsom Oaks
The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early June....
and the 1,000 Guineas. Cobweb was a granddaughter of the great mare, Web, who also produced the influential Trampoline
Trampoline (horse)
Trampoline was a Thoroughbred racehorse. Her most notable accomplishment was foaling the great sire, Glencoe.*Foaled: 1825*Place of Birth: Great Britain*Color: chestnut*Breeding: by Tramp, out of Web by Waxy...
(1825, also dam of the 2,000 Guineas winner Glencoe), and Cobweb's dam Filagree (1815). Bay Middleton was Cobweb's seventh foal.
Filagree went on to produce two 1,000 Guineas winners: Charlotte West and Clementina. Clementia was also a successful broodmare, and from her descends the filly Jest, the St. Leger Stakes
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
winner Black Jester, Royal Palace, 2,000 Guineas and Grand Prix de Paris
Grand Prix de Paris
The Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:...
winner Paradox, and the broodmare La Troienne
La Troienne
La Troienne, was one of the most famous and influential Thoroughbred broodmares in twentieth century America. She produced 10 winners while at stud....
. Filagree also produced two 2,000 Guineas winning sons, Riddlesworth and Achment (1834); six winners of the Riddlesworth Stakes, and the stallion Young Emilius (1828, by Emilius), who was sold to France where he got Prix du Jockey Club
Prix du Jockey Club
The Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
winner Amalfi and Fitz-Emilius.
Conformation
Bay Middleton had, as his namesake suggests, a bay coat, which was mottled and darkened as he aged, and three white coronary bands. He had a good shoulder, well laid back, and strong hindquarters and gaskins, but the 16 hands and 1½ inches high colt also had weak loins and a very short back. Like his grandsire, Selim, he had a beautiful head and arching neck.Racing record
Bay Middleton was a difficult horse to ride, and Lord Jersey had to beg the great jockey James Robinson (who had ridden five Derby winners) to try him. Their first ride did not go well, as Bay Middleton broke his martingaleMartingale (tack)
A martingale is any of several designs of tack that are used on horses to control head carriage. Martingales may be seen in a wide variety of equestrian disciplines, both riding and driving...
and bolted. However, Robinson continued to ride the horse throughout his one-season career, in 1836.
In his maiden race, the Riddlesworth Stakes (Newmarket Craven) he defeated five other horses in the "commonest of canters. " He was in good company that day, beating Mendicant, the 1,000 Guineas winner Destiny (by Sultan), and Magician (by Zinganee). Bay Middleton won his second race with walk over, for £150, before taking the 2,000 Guineas (Newmarket), defeated Elis and four others at a speed which was is debated to have been a new record. He then won the Epsom Derby by two lengths, to beat 21 horses including Gladiator, Slane, and Venison. His next race was in the Buckhurst Stakes at Ascot, where he won in a canter.
At the Grand Duke Michael Stakes, 21 horses withdrew to leave only Bay Middleton and St. Leger winner Elis. Bay Middleton pulled ahead, being hit once with the whip—the single time it was used in his career—to win by a length. The colt finished his race career with a match at Newmarket Houghton against Muezzin for 300 guineas. Despite carrying the greater weight, he won "with ridiculous ease."
Following this race, he was sold to Lord George Bentinck for 4,000 guineas, who wished to run the colt in the Ascot Gold Cup. However, this dream was never realized as Bay Middleton had physical problems with one of his forelegs, attributed to either the tendons or to a broken bone in his hoof. So he was retired and sent to stud.
Stud record
Due to his fine bloodlines and excellent track record, Bay Middleton covered some very good quality mares. However, his get were average, and he was considered a failure at stud. Despite this fact, he managed to make to be the Leading Sire for two years: 1844 (48 winners) and 1849 (28 winners). He also got four classic winners, in The Flying DutchmanThe Flying Dutchman (horse)
The Flying Dutchman was an English Thoroughbred racehorse who all of his first two season's race starts and was also an influential sire.-Breeding:...
, The Hermit, Andover, and Aphrodite, but many of his get had a tendency to roar, and he also seemed to pass on club-footedness to his offspring (possibly due to the Soothsayer blood in his veins).
Bay Middleton stood at the brand-new Bentinck's stud, first for a fee of 30 guineas, which would drop during his breeding career to 10 guineas, before it reached 50 guineas at the end of his career. His ownership also changed during this time, as he was sold to E.L. Mostyn after Bentinck died in 1848. He died himself after an illness on 17 November 1857, and was buried near his stall door.
His important progeny included:
- All Round My Hat: 1842 filly out of 1837 One Thousand Guineas winner Chapeau d'Espagne, was a good runner.
- Andover: 1851 bay colt, out of a Defence mare. Won the Derby from King TomKing TomKing Tom was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and a Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland.-Pedigree:He was a bay horse foaled in 1851, sired by Harkaway and out of the exceptional mare Pocahontas by Glencoe...
and 2,000 Guineas winner The Hermit. Sired nothing of note.
- Aphrodite: 1848 filly, from Venus by Sir HerculesSir HerculesSir Hercules was an Irish bred Thoroughbred racehorse, and was later a successful sire.-Pedigree:Sir Hercules was by the great sire Whalebone, winner of the Epsom Derby, out of Peri by Wanderer. Peri was bred to Whalebone at the age of three and Sir Hercules, her first foal, was born in 1826 at...
, won the 1,000 Guineas, the Champagne Stakes and the Park Hill Stakes. Second in the Doncaster St. Leger, dead-heated in the July Stakes at Newmarket and lost in the run-off. Dam of Siderolite (winner of the Ascot Gold Vase and the Goodwood Cup) and Argonaut (winner of the 1865 City and Suburban Handicap at Epsom.
- Aristides: 1840 colt, out of a Lottery mare, and a good racehorse.
- Autocrat: 1851 colt, out of an Emilius mare, won the New Stakes at Ascot. Daughters included Queen Elizabeth (1859, dam to Plebian, who would defeat GalopinGalopinGalopin was a good British Thoroughbred racehorse and a prominent sire.-Pedigree:Galopin's sire, Vedette, had a very good racing career, winning the Great Yorkshire Stakes, the Doncaster Cup , and the 1857 2,000 Guineas Stakes. Vedette's value as a stallion had declined to such an extent that he...
)
- Barbatus: 1850 colt out of a Landercost mare, ran third in the 1853 2,000 Guineas.
- Bay Missy: 1842 filly out of a Young Phantom mare, second dam of Ascot Gold Cup winner Scottish Chief
- Bouquet: 1856 out of a Melbourne mare, granddam of Ascot Stakes winner Chrypre.
- Bridal: 1839 filly out of a Whalebone mare, dam to Troussau (1849, winner of the Gimcrack Stakes), Fichu (1866, winner of the Stewards' Cup), and Special License.
- Cowl: 1842 colt, out of CrucifixCrucifix (horse)Crucifix was an undefeated, Classic Race winning, British-bred Thoroughbred racemare. She was also the dam of three sires who had a great influence on the breed.-Breeding:...
, won the 1844 Buckenham Stakes, the 1845 Ascot Produce Stakes, and ran third in the Emperor's Plate. Dislocated both hind pasterns and was retired to stud, where he was fairly successful. His get include Mme. Eglantine, who produced the runners Rosicrucian, The Palmer, and Morna, and the broodmares Monaca (dam to Stewards' Cup winner Monico), Chaplet (dam to Ascot Gold Cup winner Morion, and Winkfield), Jocosa (dam to Woodcote Stakes winner Sabella), and Frivola. Also a daughter of Cowl was Morgan La Faye, who was dam of the Epsom Oaks winner, Marie Stuart.
- Ellen Middleton: 1846 filly out of Myrrha (by Malek), second in the Champagne Stakes to The Flying Dutchman, won 1848 Sapling Stakes (York), the Yorkshire Oaks, and second in the 1849 Doncaster Park Hill Stakes to Oaks winner Lady Evelyn. Dam of the Derby winner Wild Dayrell (1852, winner of the Ebor St. Leger, the Queen's Vase at Ascot, and the Stockbridge Stewards' Cup; sire of Buccaneer, The Rake, and Wild Oats).
- Ennui: 1843 filly, out of Blue Devils (by Velocipede), won the 300 sovereign sweepstakes at the 1847 Goodwood. Dam of Goodwood Cup winner Saunterer, Loiterer, Lady Rodem (dam to Liddington), Bravery (dam of Ascot Gold Cup winning filly, Rupee, and Salamanca, dam of St. Leger winner Pero Gomez).
- Gaper: 1840 colt, defeated Derby-winner Cotherstone in the Criterion at Newmarket, third in the Gratwicke Stakes, won the Bickerstaffe Stakes at Liverpool. Went on to sire field hunterField hunterA field hunter, or a fox hunter, is a type of horse used in the hunt field for fox hunting. It may be of any breed, but should possess stamina, a level head, and bravery. The horse should have a safe jump, so as not to get caught on any of the solid obstacles found in the hunt field...
s.
- Gaze: 1842 filly, sister to Gaper. Never raced, but produced American EclipseAmerican EclipseAmerican Eclipse was an undefeated American Thoroughbred racehorse, who raced when three to four mile heats were common.-Breeding:...
, an undefeated racehorse.
- Honeycomb: 1846 colt out of Beeswax, ran 4th in the 1849 Derby and St. Leger, both to The Flying Dutchman, second in the 2,000 Guineas, 2nd in the Ebor St. Leger at York.
- Messalina: 1840 filly, produced the filly Slapdash (1855). Slapdash, dam of Fervacques (Grand Prix de Paris), Saltarelle (Prix du Jockey Club), Salteador (Prix Daru, Prix Lupin, others) and sire Saxifrage.
- Nun Appleton: 1845 filly out a Malek mare, dam of Attraction (1861, winner of sixteen races), and Julie (1856, dam of Beaufort Cup and Cesarewitch winner, Julius and Royal Hunt Cup winner Julius Caesar). Second dam of Stewards Cup winner, Sister Helen and Grand National Steeplechase, winner Voluptuary.
- Princess Alice: 1843 filly out of a Velocipede mare, won Doncaster's Champagne Stakes and the Nassau Stakes.
- Pug: 1845 filly, third in the Somersetshire Stakes at Bath.
- Rose of Cashmere: 1842 filly, won the Nursery Stakes, dam of Eccleston (1851, by Touchstone) and Wild Rose.
- Rushlight: 1841 filly out of a Lamplighter mare, second dam of Melbourne Cup and Victoria Derby winner Lantern.
- Sunflower: 1847 filly, dam of St. Leger winner, Sunbeam, Gimcrack Stakes winner, Rainbow, Mayflower (fifth dam of Celt), and Crocus (fifth dam of Gay CrusaderGay CrusaderGay Crusader was a Thoroughbred racehorse who won the English Triple Crown in 1917.Owner/breeder Alfred W Cox mated his horse Bayardo with the mare Gay Laura to produce the ill-tempered colt Gay Crusader...
(Triple CrownTriple Crown of Thoroughbred RacingThe Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
winner); third dam of Galeottia (1,000 Guineas winner) and ancestress of Grand NationalGrand NationalThe Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
winners Royal Mail and Well to Do).
- The Devil to Pay: 1841, won the Gorhambury Stakes handicap, second in the 1844 Two Thousand Guineas, third in 1845 Goodwood.
- The Flying DutchmanThe Flying Dutchman (horse)The Flying Dutchman was an English Thoroughbred racehorse who all of his first two season's race starts and was also an influential sire.-Breeding:...
: 1846 brown colt, out of a Sandbeck mare, by far his best foal. He won all but one race, including two classic races (the Derby and the St. Leger), as well as the July Stakes at Newmarket, the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, the Bickerstaffe Stakes at Liverpool, the Belvoir Stakes, the Emperor of Russia's Plate (substitute Ascot Gold Cup) and a famous 1,000 guineas match against Voltigeur. He was second in the Leading Sires list for three years, and his get include Brown Duchess, Ellington (winner of the Derby), Flying Duchess (dam of GalopinGalopinGalopin was a good British Thoroughbred racehorse and a prominent sire.-Pedigree:Galopin's sire, Vedette, had a very good racing career, winning the Great Yorkshire Stakes, the Doncaster Cup , and the 1857 2,000 Guineas Stakes. Vedette's value as a stallion had declined to such an extent that he...
, sire of St. SimonSt. Simon (horse)St. Simon was an undefeated British Thoroughbred racehorse and one of the most successful sires in the history of the Thoroughbred. In May 1886 The Sporting Times carried out a poll of one hundred experts to create a ranking of the best British racehorses of the 19th Century. St...
), and Dollar (sire of Upas and Androclès).
- The Hermit: 1851 brown colt, from Jenny Lind by TouchstoneTouchstone (horse)Touchstone was a good British bred Thoroughbred racehorse and a Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland on four occasions. He was owned and bred by Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster....
. Won his first start—the 2,000 Guineas— was third in the Derby and won the Ascot Gold Vase (beating Rataplan). Was sold to AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, where he sired Ave Maria (a good racemare and dam of stakes winner, Reginald).
- Unnammed mare (1839): out of Nitocris (by Whisker), second dam of Fisherman (GB)Fisherman (GB)Fisherman was a hardy English-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who won 70 races including the Ascot Gold Cup on two occasions. Exported into Australia he became a leading sire there.-Breeding:He was a brown stallion bred by Mr. Fowler in 1853 in England...
(1853, twice winner of the Ascot Gold CupAscot Gold CupThe Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
), third dam of Gemma di Vergy.