Ormonde (horse)

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Ormonde
Ormonde.jpg
Sire Bend Or
Grandsire Doncaster
Dam Lily Agnes
Damsire Macaroni
Sex Stallion
Foaled 18 March 1883[1]
Country United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Colour Bay
Breeder 1st Duke of Westminster
Owner 1st Duke of Westminster
Trainer John Porter
Jockey Fred Archer
George Barrett
Tom Cannon
Record 16: 16–0–0
Earnings £28,465[2]
Major wins
Dewhurst Plate (1885)
2000 Guineas (1886)
Epsom Derby (1886)
St. James's Palace Stakes (1886)
Hardwicke Stakes (1886, 1887)
St. Leger Stakes (1886)
Great Foal Stakes (1886)
Champion Stakes (1886)
Rous Memorial Stakes (1887)
Imperial Gold Cup (1887)
Awards
4th U.K. Triple Crown Winner
Honours
Ormonde Stakes at Chester Racecourse
Last updated on 28 August 2012
File:Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, 1. Duke of Westminster.jpg
Hugh Grosvenor (1st Duke of Westminster), the owner of Ormonde

Ormonde (1883–1904) was an English Thoroughbred racehorse, an unbeaten Triple Crown winner, generally considered[weasel words] to be one of the greatest racehorses ever. He also won the Champion Stakes and the Hardwicke Stakes twice. At the time he was often labelled as the 'horse of the century'. Ormonde was trained at Kingsclere by John Porter for the 1st Duke of Westminster. His regular jockeys were Fred Archer and Tom Cannon. After retiring from racing he suffered fertility problems, but still sired Orme, who won the Eclipse Stakes twice.

Background

Breeding

Ormonde was a bay colt, foaled in 1883 at Eaton Stud in Cheshire. Ormonde's sire was the Epsom Derby and Champion Stakes winner Bend Or. Bend Or was a successful stallion, his progeny included Kendal, Ossory, Orbit, Orion, Orvieto, Bona Vista and Laveno.

Ormonde's dam was Doncaster Cup winner Lily Agnes. She was sired by another Derby winner, Macaroni. Lily Agnes was a top broodmare also foaling 1000 Guineas winner Farewell, Ormonde's full-brother Ossory and another full-brother Ornament, who produced the outstanding Sceptre, the only racehorse to win four British Classic Races outright.[3]

As a yearling

Ormonde was born at half-past six in the evening of 18 March 1883. The Duke of Westminster's stud-groom Richard Chapman stated for several months after foaling Ormonde was over at the knee. Chapman later said he had never before or since seen a horse with the characteristic so pronounced. So much so it seemed impossible for him to ever grow straight. He did gradually grow straight though and by the time he left the stud to go into training at Kingsclere trained John Porter told the Duke he was the best yearling the Duke had sent him. During the winter of 1884/85 Ormonde had trouble with his knees. The treatment he received for this held his training back considerably, with him only having easy cantering exercises until the summer of 1885.[1]

Racing career

1885: Two-year-old season

Prior to his racecourse debut John Porter ran his in a trail against Kendal, Whipper-in and Whitefriar. Kendal carried one pound less won the trail by a length from Ormonde. It should be noted that Kendal had already had a number of races by this point and Ormonde was nowhere near fully fit. By this point he stood 16 hands high and had a very muscular neck and strong back. Porter also noted that when extended, Ormonde had a very long stride. His owner, the Duke of Westminster, rode him in a couple of canters and remarked "I felt every moment that I was going to be shot over his head, his propelling power is so terrific."[1]

As a two-year-old, Ormonde did not race until October when he won the Post Sweepstakes race at Newmarket. He started at 5/4 with the filly Modwena who had won eight races out of ten that year the 5/6 favourite. In the heavy going Ormonde went on to win by a length from Modwena. Ormonde's next racecourse appearance came in the Criterion Stakes, again at Newmarket, where his opposition included Oberon and Mephisto. Starting at 4/6 Ormonde won easily by three lengths from Oberon, with Mephisto a distant third.[1] He then started the Dewhurst Plate as the 4/11 favourite, ridden by Fred Archer. After an even start Ormonde was positioned just behind the leader, as they neared the closing stages Archer let Ormonde go and he quickly pulled away from the field to beat his stablemate, Whitefriar, easily by four lengths.[4] The field also included Miss Jummy, who went on to win the 1000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks. These three victories earned him £3008. 1885 was considered to have had the best group of two-year-olds for many years.

1886: Three-year-old season

Going into the 1886 season Ormonde was one of the favourites for the Derby. He was priced at 11/2, similar to Minting, Saraband and The Bard.[5]

2000 Guineas

Ormonde started off his three-year-old campaign in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. The race was considered a clash between Ormonde, the unbeaten Middle Park winner Minting and Saraband. In a small field of six Minting was sent off the 11/10 favourite, Saraband at 3/1 and Ormonde at 7/2. This time Ormonde was ridden by George Barrett, with Fred Archer riding Saraband. The horses ran almost in line in the early stages. Saraband began to struggle and was beaten with two furlongs to run. At this point Ormonde and Minting took over the lead from St. Mirin. Ormonde then went on to record as easy 2 length victory over Minting, with Mephisto a further 10 lengths back in third, who in turn was two lengths ahead of Saraband.[6]

Engraving of the closing stages of the 1886 Derby, with Ormonde leading The Bard

The Derby

After his Newmarket performance Ormonde was the favourite for the Derby. Fred Archer was back on Ormonde again. A small field of 9 went to post, with Ormonde the 40/85 favourite and his main opposition, The Bard at 7/2 who was undefeated and won many races as a two-year-old. The start was not even, with outsider Coracle almost 6 lengths clear of Ormonde, who was a similar distance clear of the rest. Ormonde and The Bard took over the lead at Tattenham corner and the two raced up the straight. The Bard got a neck in front, but when Archer asked Ormonde for an effort he pulled in front to win by 1½ lengths from The Bard, with St. Mirin a further 10 lengths back in third.[7]

Royal Ascot

At Royal Ascot, against just two opponents, Ormonde lined up as the 3/100 favourite for the St. James's Palace Stakes. He won easily by ¾ length from Calais. Three days later he faced a stronger field in the Hardwicke Stakes including 1885 Derby and St Leger winner Melton. Ormonde, the 30/100 favourite, won easily again though, beating Melton by 2 lengths. He then had a break from the racecourse.[8] After Ascot Ormonde was already as short as 1/2 for the St Leger.

Autumn

Ormonde started the final classic of the year, the St Leger as the 1/7 favourite. Ridden again by Archer he pulled away half a mile out and won easily by 4 lengths from St. Mirin, without even being asked for an effort.[9] Shortly before the St Leger, while Ormonde was galloping one morning, John Porter noticed him making a whistling noise.[1] He next ran in the Great Foal Stakes at Newmarket. Again winning easily by three lengths from Mephisto.[10] He also won the Newmarket St Leger at the same meeting in a walkover.

He then went on to win the Champion Stakes as the 1/100 favourite by a length from Oberon.[11] Ormonde then entered a free handicap at Newmarket. Starting the 1/7 favourite and carrying 9 st 2 lb, he won by eight lengths from Mephisto, who he was conceding 28 lbs to. At the same meeting he won a private sweepstakes in a walkover.[12] The sweepstakes was an originally scheduled as a match race between Ormonde, The Bard, Melton and possibly Bendigo, the 1886 Eclipse winner. Bendigo was not nominated from the race in the end. The Bard and Melton were though and both forfeited £500 to Ormonde's connections. Throughout the end of the season Ormonde's breathing had become progressively louder until he was labelled a roarer.[2]

1887: Four-year-old season

Rous Memorial Stakes

Ormonde did not race until June 1887. His return was assisted by an experimental treatment involving "galvanic shocks" being applied daily to his chest and throat.[13] His reappearance came at Royal Ascot in the Rous Memorial Stakes, where his opposition included Kilwarlin, who went on to win the season's St. Leger Stakes. Ormonde was conceding 25 pounds in weight to Kilwarin and before the race Kilwarin's owner Captain Machell said to Porter "The horse was never foaled that could give Kilwarin 25 pounds and beat him". After Fred Archer's suicide Tom Cannon was now Ormonde's jockey. He led the race throughout and won easily by six lengths from Kilwarlin, with Agave a distant third.[14] Upon seeing Captain Machell in the paddock after the race Porter said "Well, what did you think of it now?" Machell replied "Ormonde is not a horse at all; he's a damned steam-engine."

Hardwicke Stakes

He raced again the next day in the Hardwicke Stakes, where he faced a strong field including Minting and Eclipse Stakes winner Bendigo. Minting's trainer Matt Dawson was confident that his horse could win this time due to Ormonde's breathing problems. As the four runners made their way to the starting post he remarked to Porter "You will be beaten today, John. No horse afflicted with Ormonde's infirmity can hope to beat Minting."[1] Indeed, Porter himself admitted he was not overly confident of victory. During the race George Barrett, aboard Phil, impeded Ormonde and he was made to struggle for the first time in his career. During the closing stages Ormonde and Minting battled with each other and Ormonde just came out on top, winning by a neck, with Bendigo in third.[14]

Imperial Gold Cup

In his final race he won the 6 furlong Imperial Gold Cup at Newmarket. Starting at 30/100 he made all the running and won by two lengths from Whitefriar.[15] Ormonde retired from racing and returned to Kingsclere, then moving to Eaton Stud in the Autumn.

Race record

Date Race name D(f) Course Prize (£) Odds Runners Place Margin Runner-up Time Jockey
14 October 1885 Post Sweepstakes 06 6 Newmarket 0500 500 1.25 5/4 03 3 1 01 1 Modwena Fred Archer
26 October 1885 Criterion Stakes 06 6 Newmarket 0906 906 0.67 4/6 06 6 1 3 Oberon Fred Archer
28 October 1885 Dewhurst Stakes 07 7 Newmarket 1602 0.36 4/11 11 1 4 Whitefriar Fred Archer
28 April 1886 2000 Guineas 08 8 Newmarket 4000 3.5 7/2 06 6 1 2 Minting 106.8 1:46.8 George Barrett
26 May 1886 Epsom Derby 12 Epsom Downs 4700 0.47 40/85 09 9 1 1.5 The Bard 165.6 2:45.6 Fred Archer
10 June 1886 St. James's Palace Stakes 08 8 Ascot 1500 0.03 3/100 03 3 1 0.75 Calais Fred Archer
13 June 1886 Hardwicke Stakes 12 Ascot 2438 0.3 30/100 05 5 1 2 Melton 163 2:43 George Barrett
15 September 1886 St Leger Stakes 14.5 Doncaster 4475 0.14 1/7 07 7 1 4 St Mirin 201.4 3:21.4 Fred Archer
29 September 1886 Great Foal Stakes 10 Newmarket 1140 0.04 1/25 03 3 1 3 Mephisto Fred Archer
1 October 1886 Newmarket St Leger 16 Newmarket 0475 475 0.00 N/A 01 1 1 99 Walkover Walkover Fred Archer
15 October 1886 Champion Stakes 10 Newmarket 1212 0.01 1/100 03 3 1 1 Oberon 139 2:19 Fred Archer
28 October 1886 Free Handicap 10 Newmarket 0650 650 0.14 1/7 03 3 1 8 Mephisto 142 2:22 Fred Archer
29 October 1886 Private Sweepstakes 10 Newmarket 1000 0.00 N/A 01 1 1 99 Walkover Walkover Fred Archer
9 June 1887 Rous Memorial Stakes 08 8 Ascot 0920 920 0.25 1/4 1 6 Kilwarlin Tom Cannon
12 June 1887 Hardwicke Stakes 12 Ascot 2387 0.8 4/5 04 4 1 0.25 Minting 164 2:44.4 Tom Cannon
16 July 1887 Imperial Gold Cup 06 6 Newmarket 0590 590 0.3 30/100 03 3 1 2 Whitefriar 078 1:18 Tom Cannon

Assessment

Ormonde is generally considered one of the greatest racehorses ever. At the time he was often labelled as the 'horse of the century'. His achievements are even more impressive considering the strength of some of the other horses foaled in 1883. It is said that both Minting and The Bard were good enough to have won the Epsom Derby nine out of ten years.[16] In early 1888 Minting, the horse Ormonde beat easily in the 2000 Guineas, was rated 15 pounds superior to the 1887 Derby winner Merry Hampton and the 1887 St Leger winner Kilwarlin.

Stud record

Ormonde went to the Duke of Westminster's stud in 1888. He was then moved to Newmarket, became sick and had reduced fertility, but he produced. He did sire a number a top class horses though. In his first season he sired Goldfinch and Orme.

English foals

c = colt, f = filly

Foaled Name Sex Notable wins Wins Prize money
1889 Goldfinch c Biennial Stakes, New Stakes 2 £2,464
1889 Kilkenny f 1 £164
1889 Llanthony c Ascot Derby 4 £3,139
1889 Orme c Middle Park Plate, Dewhurst Plate, Eclipse Stakes (twice), Sussex Stakes, Champion Stakes, Limekiln Stakes, Rous Memorial Stakes, Gordon Stakes 14 £32,528
1889 Orontes II f 0
1889 Orville c 0
1889 Sorcerer c 1 £229
1890 Glenwood c Aylesford Foal Plate 2 £1,726


When he was six Ormonde was sold for £12,000 and exported to Argentina.[17] Sold again in 1893, by his Argentinean owner, for £31,250 he was sent to California where he sired 16 offspring,[2] including Futurity Stakes winner Ormondale.

Orme sired another Triple Crown winner, Flying Fox. Orme also sired Epsom Derby winner Orby and 1000 Guineas winner Witch Elm. Goldfinch sired 1000 Guineas winner Chelandry. After being sold and moving to California Goldfinch sired Preakness Stakes winner Old England. Ormondale went on to sire Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Purchase.

Ormonde died in 1904 at age 21 at Rancho Wikiup in Santa Rosa, California. His disarticulated skeleton/skull were later returned to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, London.[18] His male line survives mainly through Teddy, grandson of Flying Fox. Orby does still have a sire line as well.[19]

Ormonde may have been the model for the fictional horse Silver Blaze in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's short story of the same name.[20]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Ormonde, bay stallion, 1883[21]
Sire
Bend Or (GB)
ch. 1877		 Doncaster (GB)
ch. 1870		 Stockwell
ch. 1849		 The Baron
Pocahontas
Marigold
ch. 1860		 Teddington
Ratan mare
Rouge Rose (GB)
ch. 1865		 Thormanby
ch. 1857		 Windhound
Alice Hawthorn
Ellen Horne
br. 1844		 Redshank
Delhi
Dam
Lily Agnes (GB)
b. 1871		 Macaroni (GB)
b. 1860		 Sweetmeat
br. 1842		 Gladiator
Lollypop
Jocose
b. 1843		 Pantaloon
Banter
Polly Agnes (GB)
b./br. 1865		 The Cure
b. 1841		 Physician
Morsel
Miss Agnes
br. 1850		 Birdcatcher
Agnes (Family: 16-h)

Note: b. = Bay, br. = Brown, ch. = Chestnut

See also

References

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  20. ↑ http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/images/Hill_Richest_Man_in_Horseracing.pdf
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