Sir Visto
Sir Visto | |
---|---|
Sir Visto as photographed by Clarence Hailey. | |
Sire | Barcaldine |
Grandsire | Solon |
Dam | Vista |
Damsire | Macaroni |
Sex | Stallion |
Foaled | 1892 |
Country | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
Colour | Bay |
Breeder | Lord Rosebery |
Owner | Lord Rosebery |
Trainer | Mathew Dawson |
Record | 13: 3-1-3 |
Earnings | £14,334 win prize money |
Major wins | |
Epsom Derby (1895) St Leger (1895) |
Sir Visto (1892–1914) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from 1894 to 1896 he ran thirteen times and won three races. As a three-year-old in 1895 he won both The Derby and the St Leger at Doncaster. He failed to win in six subsequent races and was retired to stud at the end of the 1896 season.
Background
Sir Visto was described as “a lengthy, rather plain bay with sickle hocks”,[1] but an excellent mover.[2] He was also described as looking powerful but "unfurnished" and "split-up".[3] He was bred at the Crafton Stud by his owner Lord Rosebery,[4] a prominent Liberal statesman who became Prime Minister in 1894. Sir Visto's St Leger was the last of twenty-eight classic wins gained by his trainer Mathew Dawson.[5] Dawson, who was over seventy at the time had "retired" from large-scale training in 1885, but continued to handle a small number of horses at his Melton House Stable.[1]
Sir Visto's sire was the undefeated Irish champion Barcaldine, a representative of the Godolphin Arabian sire line,[6] who also sired the double Classic winner Mimi. Sir Visto's dam, Vista, was an excellent broodmare who also produced the Derby runner up Velasquez, and Bona Vista the 2000 Guineas winner who, as the grandsire of Phalaris is the male-line ancestor of most modern thoroughbreds.
Racing career
1894: two-year-old season
Sir Visto made his first appearance at Epsom at the Derby meeting in June. Ridden by John Watts, he was not particularly fancied and finished unplaced behind Saintly in the Woodcote Stakes.[7] Later reports claimed that he was only "half-fit" for the race.[8] He was then off the course for four months before reappearing in the valuable Imperial Produce Stakes at Kempton. He led into the final furlong and held off the late challenge of the filly Float by a short head with the future 1000 Guineas Galeottia in third.[9]
At the end of the year, a writer in The Sportsman noted that Sir Visto had "grown and gone on well", and had been seen working with the stable's 1894 Derby winner Ladas.[10]
1895: three-year-old season
Spring
Before the season began, Sir Visto was identified as one of the "most-fancied" Derby contenders in what was regarded as an unusually open year, with no dominant champion.[11] Lord Rosebery was reported to have described the colt as a stayer who would be well suited by the Derby distance of one and a half miles.[12] On his three-year-old debut, Sir Visto ran in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on 1 May and started 5/1 third favourite of the eight runners. Ridden by Walter Bradford, he raced prominently and led at half way. In the last quarter mile he was overtaken, but ran on to finish third, three lengths behind the winner Kirkconnel and two behind the runner-up Laveno.[13]
Two weeks later he finished third, beaten a neck and three quarters of a length, to The Owl and Solaro in an "exciting race" for the Newmarket Stakes, with Kirkconnel fourth[14]
Summer
At Epsom on 29 May, Sir Visto started at odds of 9/1 in a field of fifteen for the Derby. The race took place on a bright, breezy day in front of a crowd including the Prince of Wales.[15] Chibiabos made the early running before Beckhampton took over and led the field into the straight. Sir Visto, ridden by Sam Loates, had been held up at the back of the field and began to make steady "almost unobserved"[16] progress in the last half mile. Curzon and Kirkconnel moved past Beckhampton two furlongs from the finish and raced alongside each other with the race apparently between them until Sir Visto appeared on the stands-side traveling with a "remarkable rapidity"[17] to take the lead fifty yards from the line. He won by three-quarters of a length from Curzon with Kirkconnel half a length further back in third.[18]
The race was filmed by the photographer and film pioneer Birt Acres. The footage was considered lost until its rediscovery in 1995. Racing historian Michael Church, of the Racing Post, viewed the film and confirmed that it was the 1895 race.[19]
On 4 July he carried top weight of 131 pounds in the £10,000 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket. He was never among the leaders and finished unplaced behind the odds-on favourite Le Var, to whom he was conceding sixteen pounds.[20]
Autumn
In the St Leger on 11 September Sir Visto started 9/4 favourite in a field of eleven. His connections were given a cause for concern on the day before the race when the colt was left unattended and became cast in his box. He sustained a minor injury to a foreleg but was allowed to run.[21] As at Epsom, Sir Visto was held up towards the rear of the field as the pace was set first by Lord Chester and then Matchmaker. The filly Butterfly, winner of the Coronation Stakes, took the lead in the straight with Sam Loates moving Sir Visto up to second. A furlong from the finish Sir Visto took the lead and held off the sustained challenge of the outsider Telescope to win an "exciting" and "well contested" race by three-quarters of a length.[22] After the race he was described as looking "stiff and sore" and "much distressed", with observers suggesting that he was suffering from the combined effects of the hard race and his leg injury.[23] Sir Visto never won another race.
On his last race of the year he ran in the £10,000 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket on 26 September. Lord Rosebery "declared to win" with Ladas, leaving Sir Visto to carry his second colours.[24] Carrying 133 pounds he made no show and was unplaced behind Laveno, who was carrying seventeen pounds less.[25]
1896: four-year-old season
Sir Visto was kept in training as a four-year-old in 1896 with the Gold Cup as his principal target.[26] He made his seasonal reappearance in the Ascot race on 18 June but although he looked impressive, with one commentator noting that he had "grown into a grand horse",[27] he was never a danger and finished last of the six runners behind Love Wisely.[28] He did rather better in his next race two weeks later when he finished fifth of the nine runners behind St Frusquin and Persimmon in an exceptionally strong field for the Princess of Wales's Stakes.[29]
On 2 October he produced his best performance in over a year when he finished two lengths second to Persimmon in the Jockey Club Stakes over ten furlongs. Carrying top weight of 142 pounds, he was never able to threaten the winner, but proved too good for the rest of a strong field which included Laveno and Kirkconnel[30] Eleven days later he started 5/4 favourite for the Champion Stakes (a much less valuable race) over the same course and distance, but finished third of the four runners, beaten three quarters of a length and three lengths by Labrador and Marco.[31] On his final start, Sir Visto ran in the Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket on 28 October, carrying 122 pounds. He finished twelfth of the twenty-four starters behind Winkfield's Pride, who carried 94 pounds, and was then retired to stud.[32]
Assessment and earnings
After his win in the Derby was rated fourteen pounds inferior to Ladas by his trainer Mat Dawson.[33] Later in the season, after his win in the St Leger he was being described as the best stayer of a sub-standard generation.[34]
Sir Visto earned £4,309 in win prize money at two, and £10,025 at three.[35]
Stud career
Sir Visto was retired to his birthplace at Mentmore for his stud career, but made no impact as a stallion. His last foals were conceived in 1908,[36] after which he was retired to Lord Rosebery's stables at The Durdans near Epsom. He was euthanized in July 1914 [37][38] and buried at The Durdans where a stone still marks the spot.[39]
Pedigree
Sire Barcaldine (IRE) 1878 | Solon 1861 | West Australian | Melbourne |
---|---|---|---|
Mowerina | |||
Birdcatcher mare | Birdcatcher | ||
Hetman Platoff mare | |||
Ballyroe 1872 | Belladrum | Stockwell | |
Catherine Hayes | |||
Bon Accord | Adventurer | ||
Birdcatcher mare | |||
Dam Vista (GB) 1879 | Macaroni 1860 | Sweetmeat | Gladiator |
Lollypop | |||
Jocose | Pantaloon | ||
Banter | |||
Verdure 1867 | King Tom | Harkaway | |
Pocahontas | |||
May Bloom | Newminster | ||
Lady Hawthorn (Family: 4) |
References
- ^ a b Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane’s. ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
- ^ "AUSTRALIAN AND FOREIGN". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "Sporting Brevities". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "5th Earl of Rosebery". Horseracinghistory.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
- ^ "Mathew Dawson". Horseracinghistory.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2012-06-16. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "Godolphin Arabian Line". Tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "Papers Past — Otago Witness — 26 July 1894 — Tuesday, June 5". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "SPORTING". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "Sporting Notes". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "THE EPSOM DERBY". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "TALK OF THE DAY". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "NEWMARKET SECOND SPRING". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "San Francisco Mail News". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "TALK OF THE DAY". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "SPORTING". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "Investec Derby Facts". thejockeyclub.co.uk/epsom. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- ^ "RACING IK ENGLAND". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "TALK OF THE DAY". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "LONDON CHAT". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "LATE SPORTING". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "NEWMARKET FIRST OCTOBER. Tuesday, September 24". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "IN A NUTSHELL". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "English sporting". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND. LINGFIELD". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "VICTORIAN SPRING EVENTS". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "NEWMARKET SECOND OCTOBER. Tuesday, October 13". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "Sporting Brevities". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "IN A NUTSHELL". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "SIR VISTO AND HIS PREDECESSORS". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "Sir Visto Offspring". Pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ Patricia Erigero Thoroughbred Heritage. "Barcaldine". Tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
- ^ "Obituary of stallions". The General Stud Book. 23: 1179. 1917. hdl:2027/coo.31924066667340. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- ^ Epsom, Durdans, Amato and The Pump. Baily’s Magazine, (May 1911)
- v
- t
- e
- 1780 Diomed
- 1781 Young Eclipse
- 1782 Assassin
- 1783 Saltram
- 1784 Serjeant
- 1785 Aimwell
- 1786 Noble
- 1787 Sir Peter Teazle
- 1788 Sir Thomas
- 1789 Skyscraper
- 1790 Rhadamanthus
- 1791 Eager
- 1792 John Bull
- 1793 Waxy
- 1794 Daedalus
- 1795 Spread Eagle
- 1796 Didelot
- 1797 colt by Fidget
- 1798 Sir Harry
- 1799 Archduke
- 1800 Champion
- 1801 Eleanor ♥
- 1802 Tyrant
- 1803 Ditto
- 1804 Hannibal
- 1805 Cardinal Beaufort
- 1806 Paris
- 1807 Election
- 1808 Pan
- 1809 Pope
- 1810 Whalebone
- 1811 Phantom
- 1812 Octavius
- 1813 Smolensko
- 1814 Blucher
- 1815 Whisker
- 1816 Prince Leopold
- 1817 Azor
- 1818 Sam
- 1819 Tiresias
- 1820 Sailor
- 1821 Gustavus
- 1822 Moses
- 1823 Emilius
- 1824 Cedric
- 1825 Middleton
- 1826 Lap-dog
- 1827 Mameluke
- 1828 Cadland
- 1829 Frederick
- 1830 Priam
- 1831 Spaniel
- 1832 St. Giles
- 1833 Dangerous
- 1834 Plenipotentiary
- 1835 Mundig
- 1836 Bay Middleton
- 1837 Phosphorus
- 1838 Amato
- 1839 Bloomsbury
- 1840 Little Wonder
- 1841 Coronation
- 1842 Attila
- 1843 Cotherstone
- 1844 Orlando
- 1845 The Merry Monarch
- 1846 Pyrrhus The First
- 1847 Cossack
- 1848 Surplice
- 1849 The Flying Dutchman
- 1850 Voltigeur
- 1851 Teddington
- 1852 Daniel O'Rourke
- 1853 West Australian ₩
- 1854 Andover
- 1855 Wild Dayrell
- 1856 Ellington
- 1857 Blink Bonny ♥
- 1858 Beadsman
- 1859 Musjid
- 1860 Thormanby
- 1861 Kettledrum
- 1862 Caractacus
- 1863 Macaroni
- 1864 Blair Athol
- 1865 Gladiateur ₩
- 1866 Lord Lyon ₩
- 1867 Hermit
- 1868 Blue Gown
- 1869 Pretender
- 1870 Kingcraft
- 1871 Favonius
- 1872 Cremorne
- 1873 Doncaster
- 1874 George Frederick
- 1875 Galopin
- 1876 Kisber
- 1877 Silvio
- 1878 Sefton
- 1879 Sir Bevys
- 1880 Bend Or
- 1881 Iroquois
- 1882 Shotover ♥
- 1883 St. Blaise
- 1884 St. Gatien
- Harvester
- 1885 Melton
- 1886 Ormonde ₩
- 1887 Merry Hampton
- 1888 Ayrshire
- 1889 Donovan
- 1890 Sainfoin
- 1891 Common ₩
- 1892 Sir Hugo
- 1893 Isinglass ₩
- 1894 Ladas
- 1895 Sir Visto
- 1896 Persimmon
- 1897 Galtee More ₩
- 1898 Jeddah
- 1899 Flying Fox ₩
- 1900 Diamond Jubilee ₩
- 1901 Volodyovski
- 1902 Ard Patrick
- 1903 Rock Sand ₩
- 1904 St. Amant
- 1905 Cicero
- 1906 Spearmint
- 1907 Orby
- 1908 Signorinetta ♥
- 1909 Minoru
- 1910 Lemberg
- 1911 Sunstar
- 1912 Tagalie ♥
- 1913 Aboyeur
- 1914 Durbar
- 1915 Pommern ₩
- 1916 Fifinella ♥
- 1917 Gay Crusader ₩
- 1918 Gainsborough ₩
- 1919 Grand Parade
- 1920 Spion Kop
- 1921 Humorist
- 1922 Captain Cuttle
- 1923 Papyrus
- 1924 Sansovino
- 1925 Manna
- 1926 Coronach
- 1927 Call Boy
- 1928 Felstead
- 1929 Trigo
- 1930 Blenheim
- 1931 Cameronian
- 1932 April the Fifth
- 1933 Hyperion
- 1934 Windsor Lad
- 1935 Bahram ₩
- 1936 Mahmoud
- 1937 Mid-day Sun
- 1938 Bois Roussel
- 1939 Blue Peter
- 1940 Pont l'Eveque
- 1941 Owen Tudor
- 1942 Watling Street
- 1943 Straight Deal
- 1944 Ocean Swell
- 1945 Dante
- 1946 Airborne
- 1947 Pearl Diver
- 1948 My Love
- 1949 Nimbus
- 1950 Galcador
- 1951 Arctic Prince
- 1952 Tulyar
- 1953 Pinza
- 1954 Never Say Die
- 1955 Phil Drake
- 1956 Lavandin
- 1957 Crepello
- 1958 Hard Ridden
- 1959 Parthia
- 1960 St. Paddy
- 1961 Psidium
- 1962 Larkspur
- 1963 Relko
- 1964 Santa Claus
- 1965 Sea Bird
- 1966 Charlottown
- 1967 Royal Palace
- 1968 Sir Ivor
- 1969 Blakeney
- 1970 Nijinsky ₩
- 1971 Mill Reef
- 1972 Roberto
- 1973 Morston
- 1974 Snow Knight
- 1975 Grundy
- 1976 Empery
- 1977 The Minstrel
- 1978 Shirley Heights
- 1979 Troy
- 1980 Henbit
- 1981 Shergar
- 1982 Golden Fleece
- 1983 Teenoso
- 1984 Secreto
- 1985 Slip Anchor
- 1986 Shahrastani
- 1987 Reference Point
- 1988 Kahyasi
- 1989 Nashwan
- 1990 Quest For Fame
- 1991 Generous
- 1992 Dr Devious
- 1993 Commander in Chief
- 1994 Erhaab
- 1995 Lammtarra
- 1996 Shaamit
- 1997 Benny the Dip
- 1998 High-Rise
- 1999 Oath
- 2000 Sinndar
- 2001 Galileo
- 2002 High Chaparral
- 2003 Kris Kin
- 2004 North Light
- 2005 Motivator
- 2006 Sir Percy
- 2007 Authorized
- 2008 New Approach
- 2009 Sea the Stars
- 2010 Workforce
- 2011 Pour Moi
- 2012 Camelot
- 2013 Ruler of the World
- 2014 Australia
- 2015 Golden Horn
- 2016 Harzand
- 2017 Wings of Eagles
- 2018 Masar
- 2019 Anthony Van Dyck
- 2020 Serpentine
- 2021 Adayar
- 2022 Desert Crown
- 2023 Auguste Rodin