Flying Childers
Encyclopedia
Flying Childers was a famous undefeated 18th century Thoroughbred
racehorse, foaled in 1714, and is often cited as the first truly great racehorse in the history of Thoroughbred
s.
, one of the three foundation stallions of the Thoroughbred breed. His dam Betty Leedes, was by (Old) Careless and she was inbred to Spanker in the second and third generations (2x3). Betty Leedes was also the dam of the unraced, but successful sire, Bartlett's or Bleeding Childers who was also by the Darley Arabian. (Old) Careless was by the great stallion Spanker, and both were thought to be the best racehorses of their generation. Betty Leedes was one of the few outside mares allowed to breed to the Darley Arabian, who was mostly kept as a private sire by his owner.
First racing at age six, the 15.2 hand colt won his maiden race, held April 1721 at Newmarket, to defeat Speedwell. He then won his second race in October, also at Newmarket, in a walk over, and his third race against Almanzor. As a seven-year-old, he won his one start, a race at Newmarket where he beat Chaunter. In 1723, he won both his starts by walk over, one in April at Newmarket, the other a matchrace against Bobsey, who forfeited. Flying Childers then retired to stud.
and Partner
in 1737, Bay Basto (1729), Hip (1733), and Brown Basto (1738).
He also sired Spanking Roger (ch. 1732), who was undefeated against some of the best horses in the country except for one race where he threw his rider, Roundhead Fleec'em, Steady, and Blaze Blaze was especially important, producing Sampsom, Scrub and Childers, Shales (founding sire of the Norfolk Roadster, great influence on the Hackney
) and Messenger
, the founding sire of the Standardbred and very important in the Tennessee Walking Horse. Lastly, Flying Childers was the damsire of the important foundation Thoroughbred sire Herod
.
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, foaled in 1714, and is often cited as the first truly great racehorse in the history of Thoroughbred
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...
s.
Breeding
Flying Childers was sired by the great Darley ArabianDarley Arabian
The Darley Arabian was one of three dominant foundation sires of modern Thoroughbred horse racing bloodstock, the other two being the Godolphin Arabian and the Byerley Turk. This bay Arabian horse was bought in Aleppo, Syria by Thomas Darley in 1704 and shipped back to Aldby Park in England, where...
, one of the three foundation stallions of the Thoroughbred breed. His dam Betty Leedes, was by (Old) Careless and she was inbred to Spanker in the second and third generations (2x3). Betty Leedes was also the dam of the unraced, but successful sire, Bartlett's or Bleeding Childers who was also by the Darley Arabian. (Old) Careless was by the great stallion Spanker, and both were thought to be the best racehorses of their generation. Betty Leedes was one of the few outside mares allowed to breed to the Darley Arabian, who was mostly kept as a private sire by his owner.
Racing record
Flying Childers gained the name of his breeder, Colonel Leonard Childers, in addition to his owner, the Duke of Devonshire, often being referred to as either Devonshire Childers or Flying Childers. Although the Duke received many offers for the colt, including one to pay for the horse's weight in gold, he remained the animal's owner throughout his life.First racing at age six, the 15.2 hand colt won his maiden race, held April 1721 at Newmarket, to defeat Speedwell. He then won his second race in October, also at Newmarket, in a walk over, and his third race against Almanzor. As a seven-year-old, he won his one start, a race at Newmarket where he beat Chaunter. In 1723, he won both his starts by walk over, one in April at Newmarket, the other a matchrace against Bobsey, who forfeited. Flying Childers then retired to stud.
Stud record
Flying Childers stood as a private stallion at the Duke's Chatsworth estate in Derbyshire, until his death in 1741 at His offspring included several full-siblings from the Basto Mare: Blacklegs a successful racehorse and sire for the Duke, Snip a poor racehorse who sired the great stallion (Old) Snap, Second who defeated both 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...
and Partner
Partner (horse)
Partner was a good Thoroughbred racehorse, a Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland four times, and continued the Byerley Turk sire-line....
in 1737, Bay Basto (1729), Hip (1733), and Brown Basto (1738).
He also sired Spanking Roger (ch. 1732), who was undefeated against some of the best horses in the country except for one race where he threw his rider, Roundhead Fleec'em, Steady, and Blaze Blaze was especially important, producing Sampsom, Scrub and Childers, Shales (founding sire of the Norfolk Roadster, great influence on the Hackney
Hackney (horse)
The Hackney Horse is a recognized breed of horse that was developed in Great Britain. In recent decades, the breeding of the Hackney has been directed toward producing horses that are ideal for carriage driving. They are an elegant high stepping breed of carriage horse that is popular for showing...
) and Messenger
Messenger (horse)
Messenger was an English Thoroughbred stallion bred by a John Pratt and imported into the newly formed United States of America just after the American Revolution.-Breeding:...
, the founding sire of the Standardbred and very important in the Tennessee Walking Horse. Lastly, Flying Childers was the damsire of the important foundation Thoroughbred sire Herod
Herod (horse)
Herod , formerly King Herod, later shortened to just Herod in common usage, was a Thoroughbred racehorse. He was one of the three foundation sires of the modern Thoroughbred racehorse, along with Matchem and Eclipse...
.
External links
- Flying Childers' pedigree* http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/12600/12603/childers_12603.htm