The Baron (horse)
Encyclopedia
The Baron was a Thoroughbred
racehorse from Ireland, who also raced in England. Sired by Birdcatcher out of Echidna (by the English stallion Economist), he was also an influential sire in England, France and Australia
.
in Ireland as a three-year-old before being shipped to England in 1845 by his breeder, veterinary surgeon George Watts. He was then sold to John Scott
with whom he won the 1¾-mile St. Leger Stakes
and the 2¼-mile Cesarewitch Handicap
, the latter under (107 pounds (48.5 kg)) for 3,200 guineas. This was the largest purse ever awarded a three-year-old up to that time. The Baron was then purchased by Edward Rawson Clark.
The Baron raced as a four-year-old in 1846, but did not perform well and suffered from bad feet. Clark sold him to John Mytton, a gambler; after he left Scott, The Baron never won another race. His best result was a second-place finish in the 1846 Craven Stakes
at Epsom Downs
.
Rataplan and Stockwell were full brothers out of the same dam, Pocahontas
.
The Baron was known as "The slim and savage" Baron, due to his terrible temperament. Despite rough treatment at his French stud, he had a great influence on French Thoroughbred bloodlines; several of his progeny were also exported to Australia.
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 from Ireland, who also raced in England. Sired by Birdcatcher out of Echidna (by the English stallion Economist), he was also an influential sire in England, France and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Racing career
A dark chestnut colt with a star, snip, and white sock on his near (left) hind leg, The Baron won three of his four starts at the CurraghCurragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
in Ireland as a three-year-old before being shipped to England in 1845 by his breeder, veterinary surgeon George Watts. He was then sold to John Scott
John Scott (horseman)
John Scott was the preeminent horse trainer in British Thoroughbred racing during the 19th century. Known as "The Wizard of the North," he was a brother to the successful jockey Bill Scott....
with whom he won the 1¾-mile St. Leger Stakes
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
and the 2¼-mile Cesarewitch Handicap
Cesarewitch Handicap
The Cesarewitch Handicap is a flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newmarket over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and the latter part is on the Rowley Mile. It is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was...
, the latter under (107 pounds (48.5 kg)) for 3,200 guineas. This was the largest purse ever awarded a three-year-old up to that time. The Baron was then purchased by Edward Rawson Clark.
The Baron raced as a four-year-old in 1846, but did not perform well and suffered from bad feet. Clark sold him to John Mytton, a gambler; after he left Scott, The Baron never won another race. His best result was a second-place finish in the 1846 Craven Stakes
Craven Stakes
The Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event serves as a trial for the first...
at Epsom Downs
Epsom Downs
Epsom Downs is an area of chalk upland near Epsom, Surrey; in the North Downs. Part of the area is taken up by the racecourse, the gallops are part of the land purchased by Stanly Wootton in 1925 in oder that racehorses can be trained without interference. It is open to users such as ramblers,...
.
Stud record
He was given in partial payment to the breeder John Theobald, who stood him at Stockwell Stud. After Theobald's death, The Baron was sold to Perrot de Thaunberg of France's National Stud. There he sired many Thoroughbreds, including:- Baronello (1861) won Poule d'Essai des PoulainsPoule d'Essai des PoulainsThe Poule d'Essai des Poulains, sometimes referred to as the French 2,000 Guineas, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts...
(French 2,000 Guineas) - Dame D'Honneur, won Prix de DianePrix de DianeThe Prix de Diane, sometimes referred to as the French Oaks, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies...
- Etoile De Nord, Prix de Diane
- Isabella, FR Two Thousand Guineas and Grand Criterium
- La Toucques (1860), won the French St. Leger StakesPrix Royal-OakThe Prix Royal-Oak is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 3,100 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October.-History:The event was established in 1861, and it was initially...
, the Prix du Jockey ClubPrix du Jockey ClubThe Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, and the Grosser Preis von BadenGrosser Preis von BadenThe Grosser Preis von Baden is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Baden-Baden over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early September.-History:The event was established in 1858, and it...
. - Rataplan, Doncaster CupDoncaster CupThe Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
, won 42 races, a noted broodmare sire - StockwellStockwell (horse)Stockwell was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and a Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland seven times; he was second on the sires' list a further four times during a 14-year period.-Breeding:...
, winner of the 2,000 Guineas, Newmarket Stakes, Great Yorkshire Stakes, St. Leger StakesSt. Leger StakesThe St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
, etc.; a leading sire, his progeny included DoncasterDoncaster (horse)Doncaster was an English Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the Epsom Derby and sire of the great stallion Bend Or.-Breeding:...
and St. Albans.(GB ) - Tonnerre Des Indes, won Grand Criterium
Rataplan and Stockwell were full brothers out of the same dam, Pocahontas
Pocahontas (horse)
Pocahontas was an English Thoroughbred racehorse and the dam of three sires who had a great influence on the breed. Although mares are not generally considered to be as influential as sires, Thoroughbred Heritage refers to Pocahontas as "one of the most influential Thoroughbreds of all time, male...
.
The Baron was known as "The slim and savage" Baron, due to his terrible temperament. Despite rough treatment at his French stud, he had a great influence on French Thoroughbred bloodlines; several of his progeny were also exported to Australia.