Bucephalus (racehorse)

Last updated
Bucephalus
Sire Regulus
Grandsire Godolphin Arabian
DamPartner mare
Damsire Partner
Sex Stallion
Foaled1764
Country Great Britain
Colour Chestnut
BreederH. B. Osbaldeston
OwnerH. B. Osbaldeston
Peregrine Wentworth
1st Earl of Farnham
Major wins
5yo Great Subscription Purse (1769)
Last updated on 2 November 2012

Bucephalus (foaled 1764) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. He won the Subscription Purse at York in 1768, but is best known for racing against the undefeated Eclipse in a match race in 1770.

Kingdom of Great Britain Constitutional monarchy in Western Europe between 1707 and 1801

The Kingdom of Great Britain, officially called simply Great Britain, was a sovereign state in western Europe from 1 May 1707 to 31 December 1800. The state came into being following the Treaty of Union in 1706, ratified by the Acts of Union 1707, which united the kingdoms of England and Scotland to form a single kingdom encompassing the whole island of Great Britain and its outlying islands, with the exception of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. The unitary state was governed by a single parliament and government that was based in Westminster. The former kingdoms had been in personal union since James VI of Scotland became King of England and King of Ireland in 1603 following the death of Elizabeth I, bringing about the "Union of the Crowns". After the accession of George I to the throne of Great Britain in 1714, the kingdom was in a personal union with the Electorate of Hanover.

Thoroughbred Horse breed developed for racing

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. Thoroughbreds are considered "hot-blooded" horses that are known for their agility, speed, and spirit.

York Racecourse horse racing venue in England

York Racecourse is a horse racing venue in York, North Yorkshire, England. It is the third biggest racecourse in Britain in terms of total prize money offered, and second behind Ascot in prize money offered per meeting. It attracts around 350,000 racegoers per year and stages three of the UK's 36 annual Group 1 races – the Juddmonte International Stakes, the Nunthorpe Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks.

Contents

Background

Bucephalus was a chestnut colt foaled in 1764 and bred by H. B. Osbaldeston. [1] He was a son of the undefeated and multiple times Champion sire Regulus and a Partner mare. Bucephalus was a full brother to Sultan and Sultana, and a half-brother to Constantine. [2]

Chestnut (coat) Horse coat color

Chestnut is a hair coat color of horses consisting of a reddish-to-brown coat with a mane and tail the same or lighter in color than the coat. Chestnut is characterized by the absolute absence of true black hairs. It is one of the most common horse coat colors, seen in almost every breed of horse.

A colt is a male horse, usually below the age of four years.

Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland

The title of champion, or leading, sire of racehorses in Great Britain and Ireland is awarded to the stallion whose offspring have won the most prize money in Britain and Ireland during the flat racing season. The current champion is Galileo, who achieved his tenth title in 2018.

Racing career

Bucephalus made his racecourse debut at Beverley in May 1768 in the Ladies' Plate of £50, where he beat Conjuror to win. He was then purchased by Peregrine Wentworth and started as the 1/2 favourite for the Subscription Purse of £361 10s at York. Ridden by Leonard Jewison, he won easily; beating Leith, Rambler and Baber. A few days later he easily beat All-fours over four miles to win 500 guineas. At Newmarket in April 1770 Bucephalus was beaten for the first time, losing a match race to the undefeated Eclipse. It was said that the race was Eclipse's hardest race, but the effort left Bucephalus unfit to run for the rest of the year. After the defeat he was sold to the 1st Earl of Farnham. He ran several more times at Newmarket for the Earl of Farnham, but didn't win any races and was sold back to H. B. Osbaldeston in March 1773. Bucephalus won the four-mile Annual Prize, before being retired from racing. [1]

Beverley Racecourse

Beverley Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in the town of Beverley in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Pound sterling Official currency of the United Kingdom and other territories

The pound sterling, commonly known as the pound and less commonly referred to as sterling, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, the British Antarctic Territory, and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence. A number of nations that do not use sterling also have currencies called the pound.

Fixed-odds betting is a form of wagering against odds offered by a bookmaker or an individual or on a bet exchange. In Australia, the practice is usually known as "SP betting"

Stud career

Bucephalus met with some success as a sire. His progeny included Junior, also owned by H. B. Osbaldeston. [1]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Bucephalus, chestnut stallion, 1764 [2] [3]
Sire
Regulus (GB)
1739
Godolphin Arabian
c.1700
(unknown)(unknown)
(unknown)
(unknown)(unknown)
(unknown)
Grey RobinsonBald GallowaySt. Victor's Barb
Grey Whynot
Sister to Old Country WenchSnake
Grey Wilkes
Dam
Partner mare
Partner
1718
Jigg Byerley Turk
Charming Jenny
Sister to Mixbury Curwen's Bay Barb
Spot mare
Smiling Tom mareSmiling TomConyers Arabian
Chillaby mare
Almanzor mareAlmanzor
(unknown)

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Pick, William; Johnson, R. (1805). The Turf Register (Volume II). A. Bartholoman, High-Ousegate.
  2. 1 2 Pick, William; Johnson, R. (1803). The Turf Register. A. Bartholoman, High-Ousegate.
  3. "Regulus". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2012-11-02.