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Ormonde (horse)

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Ormonde
SireBend Or
GrandsireDoncaster
DamLily Agnes
DamsireMacaroni
SexStallion
Foaled18 March 1883[1]
Died21 May 1904(1904-05-21) (aged 21)[2]
CountryGreat Britain
ColourBay
BreederHugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster
OwnerHugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster
TrainerJohn Porter
JockeyFred Archer
George Barrett
Tom Cannon
Record16: 16–0–0
Earnings£28,465[3]
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
Hugh Grosvenor (1st Duke of Westminster), the owner of Ormonde

Ormonde (18 March 1883–21 May 1904) was an undefeated English Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1886 English Triple Crown and was labelled the 'horse of the century' at the time. He also won the St. James's Palace Stakes, Champion Stakes and the Hardwicke Stakes twice. 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

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Ormonde was a bay colt, bred by Hugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster and foaled in 1883 at Eaton Stud in Cheshire. Ormonde's sire was The Derby and Champion Stakes winner Bend Or, also bred by the Duke. Bend Or was a successful stallion, his progeny included Kendal, Ossory, Orbit, Orion, Orvieto, Bona Vista and Laveno.[4]

Ormonde's dam was Doncaster Cup winner Lily Agnes. She was sired by another Derby winner, Macaroni. Lily Agnes began to experience problems with her lungs as a four-year-old, to the extent that jockey John Osborne said he could hear her approaching before he saw her. The problem did not interfere with her racing ability as she continued to win at four and five. She then became 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.[5][6]

Ormonde was born at half-past six in the evening of 18 March 1883. The Duke's stud-groom Richard Chapman stated that 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 and that it had seemed impossible for him to ever grow straight. Ormonde did gradually grow out of the problem though and by the time he left the stud to go into training at Kingsclere, trainer John Porter told the Duke he was the best yearling the Duke had sent him. However, 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]

Ormonde grew into a well-built horse standing 16 hands (64 inches, 163 cm) with excellent bone and straight hocks. Porter later said his neck "was the most muscular I ever saw a Thoroughbred possess." He had an excellent shoulder and short powerful hindquarters that led some to call him a racing machine. When galloping, he held his head low and had a notably long stride. He had a kind temperament, healthy appetite and strong constitution. Porter stated the horse was fond of flowers and would even eat the boutonniere from the jacket of anyone within reach.[7]

Racing career

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1885: Two-year-old season

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Prior to his racecourse debut, Porter ran Ormonde in a trial against Kendal, Whipper-in and Whitefriar. Kendal, carrying one pound less, won the trial by a length from Ormonde. 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. The Duke 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.[8] 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

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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.[9]

2000 Guineas

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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.[10]

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

The Derby

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After his Newmarket performance, Ormonde was the favourite for the Derby with Fred Archer back as his jockey. A small field of 9 went to post, with Ormonde the 40/85 favourite and his main opposition, The Bard, at 7/2 who. The Bard was also undefeated and had 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.[11]

Royal Ascot

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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.[12] After Ascot Ormonde was already as short as 1/2 for the St Leger.

Autumn

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While Ormonde was galloping one morning shortly before the St Leger Stakes, Porter noticed him making a whistling noise.[1] In spite of this infirmity, Ormonde started the final classic of the year 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.[13] The win made him the fourth winner of the English Triple Crown.[7]

He next ran in the Great Foal Stakes at Newmarket, again winning easily by three lengths from Mephisto.[14] He then won the Newmarket St Leger in a walkover[6] and the Champion Stakes as the 1/100 favourite by a length from Oberon.[15] 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, to whom he was conceding 28 lbs. At the same meeting he won a private sweepstakes in a walkover.[16] 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.[3]<tbheritage />

1887: Four-year-old season

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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.[17] 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 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.[18] 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."

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.[18]

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.[19]

Ormonde was then retired as the most celebrated horse of his era. He was sent by train to Waterloo Station, then walked to Grosvenor House in Mayfair, where he was the guest of honor at a garden party to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.[7]

Race record

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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

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Ormonde is generally considered one of the greatest racehorses ever. At the time he was often labelled as the 'horse of the century'.[6] 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 Derby nine out of ten years.[20] 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

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Ormonde went to the Duke of Westminster's Eaton Stud in 1888, where he sired seven foals from the sixteen mares he covered, including Goldfinch and Orme. In 1889, he was moved to Moulton Paddocks in Newmarket, but became sick and could only cover a few mares, with only one live foal produced in 1890. He was subsequently returned to Eaton Stud but his fertility never recovered. To the astonishment of many, Ormonde was then sold overseas. Both he and his dam were roarers, and the Duke felt this could weaken English bloodstock.[7] Ormonde was sold to Senor Bocau of Argentina for £12,000,[21] and then in 1893 to William O'Brien Macdonough, of California for £31,250. He stood at the Menlo Stock Farm in California for several years, where he sired 16 foals.[3][7] including Futurity Stakes winner Ormondale.

English foals

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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

Despite only siring eight horses in England, Ormonde had a significant impact at stud. Orme was the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland when he sired another Triple Crown winner, Flying Fox, who went on to be a leading sire in France. 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. In America, his son Ormondale went on to sire Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Purchase.[6][7]

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.[22] His male line survives mainly through Teddy, grandson of Flying Fox. Orby does still have a sire line as well.[23]

Ormonde may have been the model for the fictional horse Silver Blaze in Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes short story "The Adventure of Silver Blaze" (1892).[24]

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Ormonde, bay stallion, 1883[25]
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

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Porter, John; Moorhouse, Edward (1919). John Porter of Kingsclere. G. Richards Ltd.
  2. ^ "ORMONDE DIES AT MENLO PARK Famous English Stallion Which Cost Owner Fortune Succumbs to Old Age PASSES AWAY SATURDAY Attaches of the Ranch Are All Lamenting and a Monument Will Be Erected". San Francisco Call. Vol. XCV, no. 175. 23 May 1904. Page 11, column 4. Retrieved 21 March 2022 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  3. ^ a b c Ahnert, Rainer L., ed. (1970). Thoroughbred Breeding of the World. Germany: Pozdun Publishing.
  4. ^ Erigero, Patricia. "Thoroughbred Bloodlines - Bend Or". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  5. ^ Leicester, Charles (1969). Bloodstock Breeding. London: J.A. Allen & Co.
  6. ^ a b c d "Ormonde". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Erigero, Patricia. "Ormonde". www.tbheritage.com. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  8. ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND. NEWMARKET HOUGHTON". Otago Witness. 19 December 1885. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  9. ^ "TURF GOSSIP". Auckland Star. 16 January 1886. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  10. ^ "NEWMARKET FIRST SPRING. April 27, 28, 30". Otago Witness. 25 June 1886. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  11. ^ "SPORTING". Press. 15 July 1886. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  12. ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND". Otago Witness. 30 July 1886. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  13. ^ "Third Day—Thursday, November 4". Otago Witness. 12 November 1886. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  14. ^ "SECOND EDITION". Daily Telegraph. 6 November 1886. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  15. ^ "SPORTING NOTES FROM NEW SOUTH WALES". Otago Witness. 10 December 1886. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  16. ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND". Otago Witness. 24 December 1886. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  17. ^ "TURF GOSSIP". Auckland Star. 18 June 1887. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  18. ^ a b "June 7,8,9,10". Otago Witness. 29 July 1887. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  19. ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND". Otago Witness. 26 August 1887. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  20. ^ "Going to the Derby Four-in-Hand". Auckland Star. 24 July 1886. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  21. ^ Pryor, Peter (1979). The Classic Connection. Luton: Cortney Publications.
  22. ^ "MUTUAL'S LOSS IN BRITAIN.; Confidence in All American Life Insurance Companies Shaken". The New York Times. 23 June 1906.
  23. ^ Craig, Dennis (1964). Breeding Racehorses from Cluster Mares. London: J A Allen.
  24. ^ Gideon Hill. (2005). The Richest Man in Horseracing The Baker Street Journal 55(3)
  25. ^ "PEDIGREE OF THE WINNER". Otago Witness. 7 May 1886. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
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