Hastings (horse)
Encyclopedia
Hastings was an American
Thoroughbred
racehorse
and stallion
. Foaled in Versailles, Kentucky
, and bred by Dr. J. D. Nest, he was sired by Spendthrift
(Belmont Stakes
winner) out of the imported Cinderella (dam of Plaudit, winner of the Kentucky Derby) by Blue Ruin.
Originally, Hastings was bought by David Gideon and John Daly
at auction as a yearling for $2,800. He was sent to New York
and raced for the partners successfully as a two-year-old, winning several until the partnership was dissolved by public auction
and Hastings was purchased by August Belmont, Jr.
for a record $37,000.
He was shipped to Saratoga Race Course
but unfortunately fell ill. It is believed that his illness may have compromised his form for he finished fifth in his next race, the Futurity at Sheephead Bay.
At three, Hastings came into his own. He placed second in the Withers Stakes
behind Handspring by a head. He went on to defeat older horses in the Toboggan Handicap. Then, following in his sire's hoofprints, he won the Belmont Stakes
beating his rival, Handspring by a head.
His record at four was 12 starts, 4 wins and 6 places, carrying weights as high as 140 pounds.
He was retired to Nursury Stud outside Lexington, Kentucky
and became one of the most successful sires of 1902 and 1908. Of his offspring, the most notable are graded stakes race
winners Gunfire, Field Mouse, Masterman
, and Fair Play
, sire of the great Man o' War
.
On June 17, 1917, at age 24, severely crippled with paralysis, Hastings had to be euthanized
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
and stallion
Stallion
A Stallion is a male horse.Stallion may also refer to:* Stallion , an American pop rock group* Stallion , a figure in the Gobot toyline* Stallion , a character in the console role-playing game series...
. Foaled in Versailles, Kentucky
Versailles, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,511 people, 3,160 households, and 2,110 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,330 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.18% White, 8.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35%...
, and bred by Dr. J. D. Nest, he was sired by Spendthrift
Spendthrift (horse)
Spendthrift was a successful American Thoroughbred racehorse and an outstanding sire.-Breeding:...
(Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
winner) out of the imported Cinderella (dam of Plaudit, winner of the Kentucky Derby) by Blue Ruin.
Originally, Hastings was bought by David Gideon and John Daly
John Daly (gambler)
John Daly was an American sportsman, professional gambler and underworld figure in New York during the late 19th century. A protege of John Morrissey, he was involved in illegal gambling in Broadway and Midtown Manhattan for over thirty years...
at auction as a yearling for $2,800. He was sent to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and raced for the partners successfully as a two-year-old, winning several until the partnership was dissolved by public auction
Auction
An auction is a process of buying and selling goods or services by offering them up for bid, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder...
and Hastings was purchased by August Belmont, Jr.
August Belmont, Jr.
August Belmont, Jr. was an American financier, the builder of New York's Belmont Park racetrack, and a major owner/breeder of thoroughbred racehorses.-Early life:...
for a record $37,000.
He was shipped to Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. It opened on August 3, 1863, and is the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the United States. It is typically open for racing from late July through early September.-History:John...
but unfortunately fell ill. It is believed that his illness may have compromised his form for he finished fifth in his next race, the Futurity at Sheephead Bay.
At three, Hastings came into his own. He placed second in the Withers Stakes
Withers Stakes
The Withers Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds willing to compete one mile on the dirt. Held at Aqueduct Racetrack every year at the end of April , it is a Grade III event, and offers a purse of $150,000...
behind Handspring by a head. He went on to defeat older horses in the Toboggan Handicap. Then, following in his sire's hoofprints, he won the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
beating his rival, Handspring by a head.
His record at four was 12 starts, 4 wins and 6 places, carrying weights as high as 140 pounds.
Retirement
Hastings was known not only for his speed, but also, unfortunately, for his nasty temper. Handlers and grooms had to carry large sticks in his presence to control him.He was retired to Nursury Stud outside Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
and became one of the most successful sires of 1902 and 1908. Of his offspring, the most notable are graded stakes race
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
winners Gunfire, Field Mouse, Masterman
Masterman (horse)
Masterman was an American Thoroughbred racehorse that was the winner of the 1902 Belmont Stakes.At the 1903 dispersal sale of Belmont's stable, Masterman was purchased by John Boden for $2,500. Masterman was later given to the Canadian Breeding Bureau by Boden in September 1908 for use as a sire...
, and Fair Play
Fair Play (horse)
Fair Play was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who was successful on the track, but even more so as a sire.His grandsire was Spendthrift, whose grandsire was the English Triple Crown champion West Australian....
, sire of the great Man o' War
Man O' War (horse)
Man o' War, is considered one of the greatest Thoroughbred racehorses of all time. During his career just after World War I, he won 20 of 21 races and $249,465 in purses....
.
On June 17, 1917, at age 24, severely crippled with paralysis, Hastings had to be euthanized
Animal euthanasia
Animal euthanasia is the act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, an animal suffering from an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition. Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress...
.