| Ormonde | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sire | Bend Or |
| Grandsire | Doncaster |
| Dam | Lily Agnes |
| Damsire | Macaroni |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 18 March 1883[1] |
| Died | 21 May 1904(1904-05-21) (aged 21)[2] |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Hugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster |
| Owner | Hugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster |
| Trainer | John Porter |
| Jockey | Fred Archer George Barrett Tom Cannon |
| Record | 16: 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 atChester Racecourse | |
| Last updated on 28 August 2012 | |
Ormonde (18 March 1883–21 May 1904) was an undefeated EnglishThoroughbredracehorse who won the 1886English Triple Crown and was labelled the 'horse of the century' at the time. He also won theSt. James's Palace Stakes,Champion Stakes and theHardwicke Stakes twice. Ormonde was trained atKingsclere byJohn Porter for the1st Duke of Westminster. His regular jockeys wereFred Archer andTom Cannon. After retiring from racing he suffered fertility problems, but still siredOrme, who won theEclipse Stakes twice.
Ormonde was a baycolt, bred byHugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster and foaled in 1883 at Eaton Stud inCheshire. Ormonde's sire wasThe Derby andChampion Stakes winnerBend Or, also bred by the Duke. Bend Or was a successful stallion, his progeny includedKendal,Ossory, Orbit, Orion, Orvieto,Bona Vista and Laveno.[4]
Ormonde's dam wasDoncaster Cup winnerLily 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 foaling1000 Guineas winner Farewell, Ormonde's full-brotherOssory and another full-brother Ornament, who produced the outstandingSceptre, the only racehorse to win fourBritish 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 wasover 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 atKingsclere, trainerJohn 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 theboutonniere from the jacket of anyone within reach.[7]
Prior to his racecourse debut, Porter ran Ormonde in a trial againstKendal, 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 atNewmarket. 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 theDewhurst Plate as the 4/11 favourite, ridden byFred 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 includedMiss Jummy, who went on to win the1000 Guineas andEpsom Oaks. These three victories earned him £3008. 1885 was considered to have had the best group of two-year-olds for many years.
Going into the 1886 season, Ormonde was one of the favourites for theDerby. He was priced at 11/2, similar toMinting, Saraband andThe Bard.[9]
Ormonde started off his three-year-old campaign in the2000 Guineas atNewmarket. The race was considered a clash between Ormonde, the unbeatenMiddle Park winnerMinting 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 byGeorge 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]
After his Newmarket performance, Ormonde was the favourite for theDerby 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]
AtRoyal Ascot against just two opponents, Ormonde lined up as the 3/100 favourite for theSt. James's Palace Stakes. He won easily by ¾ length from Calais. Three days later he faced a stronger field in theHardwicke Stakes including 1885Derby andSt Leger winnerMelton. 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.
While Ormonde was galloping one morning shortly before theSt 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 theChampion Stakes as the 1/100 favourite by a length from Oberon.[15] Ormonde then entered a free handicap atNewmarket. 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 aroarer.[3]<tbheritage />
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 atRoyal Ascot in theRous Memorial Stakes, where his opposition included Kilwarlin, who went on to win the season'sSt. Leger Stakes. Ormonde was conceding 25 pounds to Kilwarin and before the race Kilwarin's ownerCaptain Machell said to Porter, "The horse was never foaled that could give Kilwarin 25 pounds and beat him." AfterFred 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 theHardwicke Stakes, where he faced a strong field includingMinting andEclipse Stakes winner Bendigo. Minting's trainerMatt 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 raceGeorge 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 aneck, with Bendigo in third.[18]
In his final race, he won the 6 furlongImperial Gold Cup atNewmarket. 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 toGrosvenor House inMayfair, where he was the guest of honor at a garden party to celebrateQueen Victoria'sGolden Jubilee.[7]
| 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 | 0.00N/A | 01 1 | 1 | 99Walkover | 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 | 0.00N/A | 01 1 | 1 | 99Walkover | 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 |
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 bothMinting andThe Bard were good enough to have wonThe 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 winnerMerry Hampton and the 1887St Leger winner Kilwarlin.
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 andOrme. 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] includingFuturity Stakes winner Ormondale.
| 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 theleading 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 siredEpsom Derby winnerOrby and1000 Guineas winnerWitch Elm. Goldfinch sired 1000 Guineas winner Chelandry. After being sold and moving toCalifornia, Goldfinch siredPreakness Stakes winnerOld England. In America, his son Ormondale went on to sireJockey Club Gold Cup winnerPurchase.[6][7]
Ormonde died in 1904 at age 21 at Rancho Wikiup inSanta Rosa, California. His disarticulated skeleton/skull were later returned to theNatural History Museum inSouth Kensington,London.[22] His male line survives mainly throughTeddy, 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 inArthur Conan Doyle'sSherlock Holmes short story "The Adventure of Silver Blaze" (1892).[24]
| 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