Morston (horse)
Encyclopedia
Morston was a French-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred
racehorse. He is best known for winning the 1973 Epsom Derby
on his second racecourse appearance. He was then injured, and retired undefeated.
. He was named after a village in Norfolk
.
In the Derby he was made a 25-1 outsider. His jockey Edward Hide was told not to be too hard on the colt, and was reportedly resentful about giving up good winning chances at Redcar
to ride a "non-trier". In the race he hit the front a furlong out and stayed on well to beat Cavo Doro by half a length.
Morston was being trained for the Great Voltigeur Stakes
when he suffered a tendon injury which ended his career.
, John Randall rated him the worst Derby winner since the Second World War. Budgett, however, regarded Morston as superior to his other Derby winner Blakeney, and the best horse he had ever trained.
He was rated 125 by Timeform
.
), Morcon (Prince of Wales's Stakes
) and More Light (Jockey Club Stakes
).
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. He is best known for winning the 1973 Epsom 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...
on his second racecourse appearance. He was then injured, and retired undefeated.
Background
Morston was bred in France by his owner Arthur Budgett's Park Farm Stud. He was sired by the Irish Derby winner Ragusa out of Budgett's mare Windmill Girl. This made him a brother of the 1969 Derby winner BlakeneyBlakeney (horse)
Blakeney was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He won the Derby at Epsom as a three-year-old in 1969 and was one of the few winners of the race to campaign successfully at four. He later had a successful stud career.-Background:...
. He was named after a village in Norfolk
Morston
Morston is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk.It covers an area of and had a population of 86 in 42 households as of the 2001 census.For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district of North Norfolk....
.
Racing career
Unraced at two, Morston made his debut in the Godstone Plate, a maiden race at Lingfield in May 1973. He won comfortably, but showed his inexperience- according to Budgett he was "all over the place".In the Derby he was made a 25-1 outsider. His jockey Edward Hide was told not to be too hard on the colt, and was reportedly resentful about giving up good winning chances at Redcar
Redcar Racecourse
Redcar Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Redcar, North Yorkshire, England.Its address is Redcar Racecourse Ltd, Thrush Road, Redcar TS10 2BYRedcar is Yorkshire's seaside track, oval-shaped and perfectly flat...
to ride a "non-trier". In the race he hit the front a furlong out and stayed on well to beat Cavo Doro by half a length.
Morston was being trained for the Great Voltigeur Stakes
Great Voltigeur Stakes
The Great Voltigeur Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
when he suffered a tendon injury which ended his career.
Assessment
Morston has been regarded as one of the least distinguished Derby winners. Writing in the Racing PostRacing Post
The Racing Post is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing and sports betting newspaper, appearing in print form and online.From 30 May 2011 - 3 July 2011 it had a circulation of 56,507.-History:...
, John Randall rated him the worst Derby winner since the Second World War. Budgett, however, regarded Morston as superior to his other Derby winner Blakeney, and the best horse he had ever trained.
He was rated 125 by Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
.
Stud career
Morston had modest success as a stallion. His best runners were probably Whitstead (Great Voltigeur StakesGreat Voltigeur Stakes
The Great Voltigeur Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
), Morcon (Prince of Wales's Stakes
Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes 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 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
) and More Light (Jockey Club Stakes
Jockey Club Stakes
The Jockey Club Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs at Newmarket, and the final part of the race is on the Rowley Mile...
).