Doncaster (horse)

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Doncaster was a Thoroughbred racehorse, and the sire of the great stallion Bend Or.

• Lived: 1870-January, 1892
• Place of Birth: Sledmere Stud, in Great Britain
• Color: Chestnut
• Markings: blaze
• Breeding: by Stockwell, out of Marigold by Teddington
• Breeder: Sir Tatton Sykes
• Wins: Derby Stakes, Goodwood Cup, Ascot Gold Cup, Alexandra Plate

[edit] The Racing Career of Doncaster

Doncaster was sired by "The Emperor of Stallions," Stockwell, who had won both the Two Thousand Guineas and the St. Leger, and had been a leading sire during his later years, siring many classic winners. Donaster's dam, Marigold, had a fairly good career at the track, and was sired by the Derby winner Teddington.

Doncaster, originally called "All Heart and No Peel," was raised at Sledmere Stud, before he was sent to the Tattersalls auction. Mr. James Merry bought the colt for 950 guineas, changed his name to Doncaster (after the racetrack), and sent him to trainer Robert Peck.

The colt did not compete as a juvenile, partly due to a kick to the stifle. He began racing as a three-year-old, first appearing at the Two Thousand Guineas, where he finished unplaced to half-brother, Gang Forward. His next race, the Derby, he won easily. He then ran at the Grand Prix in Paris, finishing third to winner Boiard, before being beaten by a head at the St. Leger. He did not do well in his next run, the Grand Duke Michael Stakes, but finished his season second in the Newmarket Derby.

His four-year-old career was respectable, with a dead heat second place with Flageolet in the Ascot Gold Cup (won by Boiard), before a win at the Goodwood Cup. As a five-year-old, he won both the Ascot Gold Cup and the Alexandra Plate, amazingly within two days of each other.

Empress Elisabeth of Austria saw Doncaster while visiting Eaton, and reportedly fell in love with him. She eventually purchased him, for £5000, and he lived at her Kisber Stud until his death at the age of 22. His blood lives on through his son, Bend Or.

[edit] The Breeding Career of Doncaster

Doncaster was then retired. Peck purchased him for £10,000, before immediately selling the stallion to the Duke of Westminster (for whom he was also a trainer), for £14,000. The Duke had been searching for a stallion prospect, both of fantastic pedigree and who had proven himself at the track, to stand at his Eaton Stud.

Doncaster was bred to the mare Lily Agnes (by Macaroni), producing the filly Farwell, a One Thousand Guineas winner. Doncaster's most famous son was Bend Or as well, the Derby winner and prolific sire. He also sired Sir Reuben and Cambusmore.

• Muncaster: sired Saraband (broodmare sire of Pretty Polly), Lady Muncaster, and Lady Loverule (dam of 1904 Derby winner St. Amant).
• Sandiway: won the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, dam of only three foals, but is influential in many American-bred horses (she was in the pedigree of Sting--sire of Dr. Fager, twice).

[edit] Pedigree

Pedigree of Donvaster
Sire Stockwell 1849　ch	The Baron 1842　ch	Birdcatcher	Sir Hercules
			Guiccioli
		Echidna	Economist
			Miss Pratt
	Pocahontas 1837　b	Glencoe	Sultan
			Trampoline
		Marpessa	Muley
			Clare
Dam Marigold 1860	Teddington 1848	Orlando	Touchstone
			Vulture
		Miss Twickenham	Rockingham
			Electress
	Singapore 1852	Ratan	Buzzard
			Picton Mare
		Melbourne Mare	Melbourne
			Lisbeth (F-No.5-e)