Marske (horse)

Marske (1750-July 1779) was a Thoroughbred racehorse, best known as siring the great Eclipse.

Racing career

Bred by John Hutton at Marske Hall, Yorkshire, he was traded to the Prince William, Duke of Cumberland (also the breeder and owner of Herod) as a foal for a chestnut Arabian.

In 1754, he won the Jockey Club Plate (Newmarket) against Pytho and Brilliant, and a 300 guineas match against Ginger. The following year, he came third in a race at Newmarket, and did not run again until 1756, when he lost twice again, this time in two 1,000 guineas matches against Snap (by Snip). He was then retired to stud.

Breeding career

Marske stood at the Duke's Cumberland stud until his owner died in 1765. Being a rather average horse up to that point, he was then sold for only 20 guineas to William Wildman. It wasn't until his greatest son, Eclipse showed talent on the track that Marske became extremely popular. He was then sold for a considerable profit of 1,000 guineas to the Earl of Abingdon, who raised his stud fee to 100 guineas. During his 22 years at stud Marske sired 154 winners with earnings of ₤71,806.^[1] Top offspring include:

• Eclipse: 1764 chestnut colt, undefeated on the turf, winning all 18 of his races. He was even more influential as a sire, and today it is estimated that up to 95% of Thoroughbreds are descended from this one horse.
• Young Marske: 1771 bay colt, broke down in his first race, but at stud he produced many good broodmares as well as Ruler (1777 colt, winner of the St. Leger), Fortitude (1778), Patriot (1787), Shuttle (1793), Abba Thulle (1786), Spanker (1787), Columbine (1783), and Prince Lee Boo (1784).
• Hephestion: 1771 colt, won the Jockey Club Plate & Craven Stakes
• Narcissus: 1771 colt
• Leviathan ("Mungo"): 1771 colt, good sire
• Shark: 1771 brown colt, top racehorse winning more than any other horse of his time, with a record of 19 wins in 29 starts, earnings of 16,057 guineas. Wins included a 1774 match for 500 guineas, a 1775 subscription sweep, the Clermont Cup, a 1,000 guineas match against Johnny. At stud he produced very little, and was exported to Virginia where he left several good broodmares. His top offspring of note in England was Violet (1787) dam to Goldenlocks (by Delpini) and Thomasina (by Timothy).
• Pontac: sired Derby winner Sir Thomas
• Masquerade 1771 filly, a very good race mare
• Desdemona 1770 filly, dam to Apothecary; third dam to Neva (1814, won Oaks and 1,000 Guineas), Magnolia (1771), and Prosperine (1766)

References

External links

• Thoroughbred Bloodlines: Marske
• Thoroughbred Heritage - Eclipse