The Baron (horse)

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The Baron was a racehorse from Ireland, and a very notable sire.

Born: 1842
Color: Dark Chestnut
Markings: star, snip, sock left hind
Sex: Stallion
Breeding: by Birdcatcher, out of Echidna, by Economist
Breeder: George Watts of Dublin

The Baron was first raced in Ireland 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 St. Leger Stakes and the Cesarewitch Handicap, before being purchased by R. E. Clark. The Baron had a turf career, but did not perform well and suffered from poor feet, and so was sold to William Theobald, who stood him at stud at Stockwell (it was here that he sired his famous son, Stockwell). After Theobald's death, The Baron was sold to France where he sired three winners of the Prix de Diane, including the filly La Toucques (1860), who also won the French St. Leger Stakes, the Prix du Jockey Club, and the Grosser Preis von Baden.

The Baron sired the stallion Stockwell, a winner of the Two Thousand Guineas, Newmarket Stakes, Great Yorkshire Stakes, St. Leger Stakes, Grand Duke Michael Stakes, Newmarket St. Leger, and the Whip. He was also a Champion Sire. The Baron also sired Rataplan, who won 42 races. Both these horses were full brothers, out of the same dam, Pocahontas.

The Baron was known as "the slim and savage" The Baron, due to his terrible temperament.