94-527: Captain James Octavius Machell (1837–1902) was an influential figure in British horse racing during the final decades of the 19th century. He was a respected judge of horses and an astute and highly successful gambler. During a career that lasted almost forty years he managed and trained eleven English classic winners and was himself the owner of a record three Grand National winners. James Machell
188-516: A "Racing Register of Merit", which allows a horse to race on Quarter Horse tracks, but not be considered a Quarter Horse for breeding purposes (unless other requirements are met). A stallion who has won many races may be put up to stud when he is retired. Artificial insemination and embryo transfer technology (allowed only in some breeds) have brought changes to the traditions and ease of breeding. Pedigrees of stallions are recorded in various books and websites, such as Weatherbys Stallion Book ,
282-410: A "tremendous struggle" ensued as they raced "locked together" throughout the closing stages. Well inside the final furlong St. Gatien took a half length advantage but Harvester produced a final effort and the two leaders crossed the line together. Queen Adelaide finished strongly to take third after being blocked at a crucial stage. The judge was unable to separate St. Gatien and Harvester and after
376-511: A 100 yards sprint. During his career Machell won 11 English Classic races for his clients plus other major races including four Ascot Gold Cups and five Stewards' Cups at Goodwood as well as the four Grand Nationals at Aintree and the Scottish Grand National . His patrons included Lord Henry Chaplin , Sir George Chetwynd , the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Calthorpe , Sir Charles Legard,
470-414: A brief delay a dead heat was called. The common practice at the time was for dead heats to be settled by the two horses immediately running again over the same course, although the prize could be shared if both owners agreed. Hammond, who stood to take £30,000 in winning bets, offered to divide the stakes and Harvester's owners accepted, Shortly after the race a protest was lodged against St. Gatien on
564-513: A compact, muscular horse. At this time, they were mainly used for chores such as plowing and cattle work. The American Quarter Horse was not recognized as an official breed until the formation of the American Quarter Horse Association in 1940. In order to be successful in racing, Quarter Horses need to be able to propel themselves forward at extremely fast sprinter speed. The Quarter Horse has much larger hind limb muscles than
658-412: A few races that are even longer than one hundred miles and last multiple days. These different lengths of races are divided into five categories: pleasure rides (10–20 miles), non-competitive trail rides (21–27 miles), competitive trail rides (20–45 miles), progressive trail rides (25–60 miles), and endurance rides (40–100 miles in one day, up to 250 miles (400 km) in multiple days). Because each race
752-467: A field of fifteen runners, the filly Queen Adelaide going off the 5/2 favourite. St. Gatien was one of the early leaders before being settled by his jockey, Charles Wood. At Tattenham corner, St. Gatien moved into contention again on the outside as the field was led by Borneo and Richmond. Shortly after the turn into the straight Wood sent St. Gatien into the lead, closely followed by Sam Loates on Harvester . The two colts pulled clear of their opponents and
846-497: A field of twenty-seven. He was prominent throughout the race but could never get on level terms with the filly Plaisanterie who won impressively by two lengths carrying 124 pounds. St. Gatien was involved in a close race for the minor places and finished fifth, just behind Bendigo , Eastern Emperor and Caltha. He had no chance with the winner, but may have been unlucky not to finish second. Two days after losing his unbeaten record, St. Gatien returned to his favoured staying distance in
940-506: A great deal of power and speed. The conditioning program for the horses varies depending on the race length. Genetics, training, age, and skeletal soundness are all factors that contribute to a horse's performance. The muscle structure and fiber type of horses depends on the breed; therefore, genetics must be considered when constructing a conditioning plan. A horse's fitness plan must be coordinated properly in order to prevent injury or lameness. If these are to occur, they may negatively affect
1034-724: A horse's willingness to learn. Sprinting exercises are appropriate for training two-year-old racehorses, but the number is limited by psychological factors as well as physical. A horse's skeletal system adapts to the exercise it receives. Because the skeletal system does not reach full maturity until the horse is at least six years of age, young racehorses often suffer injuries. In the United States, Thoroughbred flat races are run on surfaces of either dirt, synthetic or turf. Other tracks offer Quarter Horse racing and Standardbred racing, on combinations of these three types of racing surfaces. Racing of other breeds, such as Arabian horse racing,
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#17330850245491128-470: A poll of one hundred experts to create a ranking of the best British racehorses of the 19th century. St. Gatien was ranked seventh, having been placed in the top ten by thirty-six of the contributors. Lists published later in the year by Baily's Magazine and others also placed St. Gatien among the best of "modern times". At least one English writer considered him the "Horse of the Century" and believed that on
1222-408: A professional gambler. In 1885, St. Gatien was moved to the stable of James Waugh . St. Gatien's pedigree was obscure and controversial as his dam, a former carriage-horse called Saint Editha, may have been covered by two stallions in the year of his conception. She was originally sent to a stallion named Rotherhill at Worcester Park, but when the covering appeared to have been unsuccessful, she
1316-466: A self-inflicted gunshot wound. Machell had been angry with Archer when they last met and he suffered guilt and remorse for months after the death. In the 1890s Machell's health began to fail him and in 1893 he suffered a breakdown. In 1896 he relinquished his interest in the Gatwick Racecourse (he had joined the syndicate in 1890). When his friend and trainer, James Jewitt, died in 1899, he sold
1410-553: A separate subsection from Thoroughbreds. Arabians must be able to withstand traveling long distances at a moderate pace. They have an abundance of type I muscle fibers , enabling their muscles to work for extended periods of time. Also, the muscles of the Arabian are not nearly as massive as those of the Quarter Horse, which allow it to travel longer distances at quicker speeds. The Arabian is primarily used today in endurance racing but
1504-422: A year or so, and then, if thought capable, move on to steeplechasing. A type of racing where horses go around a track while pulling a sulky and a driver behind them. In this sport, Standardbreds are used. These horses are separated into two categories, trotters and pacers. Pacers move the legs on each side of their body in tandem, while trotters move their diagonal legs together. The latter are typically faster than
1598-603: Is also raced over traditional race tracks in many countries. Arabian Horse Racing is governed by the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing. The ancestors of the Quarter Horse were prevalent in America in the early 17th century. These horses were a blend of Colonial Spanish horses crossed with English horses that were brought over in the 1700s. The native horse and the English horse were bred together, resulting in
1692-473: Is found on a limited basis. American Thoroughbred races are run at a wide variety of distances, most commonly from 5 to 12 furlongs (0.63 to 1.50 mi; 1.0 to 2.4 km); with this in mind, breeders of Thoroughbred race horses attempt to breed horses that excel at a particular distance (see dosage index ). Horse racing in the United States and on the North American continent dates back to 1665, which saw
1786-678: Is in the gambling associated with it, an activity that in 2019 generated a worldwide market worth around US$ 115 billion. International Federation of Horseracing Authorities was founded in 1961 and 1983 but now (2024) have not an official World Horse Racing Championship. Horse racing has a long and distinguished history and has been practiced in civilizations across the world since ancient times. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in Ancient Greece , Ancient Rome , Babylon , Syria , Arabia , and Egypt . It also plays an important part of myth and legend, such as in
1880-635: Is marked by noteworthy statistics. The Thoroughbred Secretariat still holds the fastest times in the 1973 Triple Crown races. Jockey Russell Baze demonstrated exceptional skill with an unmatched 12,842 victories. Economic significance is reflected in the career earnings of the American Pharoah, totaling over $ 8.6 million. These quantifiable achievements add another facet to the captivating history of horse racing." Horse racing has also seen technological advancements, with innovations like photo finishes, electronic timing, and advanced breeding techniques enhancing
1974-515: Is still known as Salisbury. The first record of quarter-mile length races dated back to 1674 in Henrico County , Virginia . Each race consisted of only two horses, and they raced down the village streets and lanes. The Quarter Horse received its name from the length of the race. Tracing back the history of horse racing in the United States to its earliest inception in 1665, this sport has become an industry contributing approximately $ 15 billion to
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#17330850245492068-953: Is the most common form of horse racing seen worldwide. Flat racing tracks are typically oval in shape and are generally level, although in Great Britain and Ireland there is much greater variation, including figure-of-eight tracks like Windsor and tracks with often severe gradients and changes of camber, such as Epsom Racecourse . Track surfaces vary, with turf most common in Europe and dirt more common in North America and Asia. Newly designed synthetic surfaces, such as Polytrack or Tapeta , are seen at some tracks. Individual flat races are run over distances ranging from 440 yards (400 m) to more than four miles (6.4 km), although races longer than two miles (3.2 km) are quite rare, and distances between five and twelve furlongs (1.0 and 2.4 km) are
2162-760: Is very long, trails of natural terrain are generally used. Contemporary organized endurance racing began in California around 1955, and the first race marked the beginning of the Tevis Cup This race was a one-hundred-mile, one-day-long ride starting in Squaw Valley , Placer County , and ending in Auburn . Founded in 1972, the American Endurance Ride Conference was the United States' first national endurance riding association. The longest endurance race in
2256-727: The Australian Stud Book and Thoroughbred Heritage . There are three founding sires that all Thoroughbreds can trace back to in the male line: the Darley Arabian , the Godolphin Arabian , and the Byerley Turk , named after their respective owners Thomas Darley , Lord Godolphin, and Captain Robert Byerly. They were taken to England, where they were bred with mares from English and imported bloodlines. The resultant foals were
2350-498: The 1882 Grand National with just a few months preparation. The horse he chose was Seaman , purchased in Ireland and trained on by Machell and Jimmy Jewitt. The race - run in a snow storm - was won by Seaman even though he sustained an injury at the final fence. Machell was renowned for making large and often successful wagers and for manipulating the betting market in his favour. John Maunsell Richardson had been so "disgusted with
2444-663: The Championship in 1887. Wood was a controversial figure who was later "warned off" (banned from racing) for almost nine years for his involvement in illegal betting and suspected race-fixing. St. Gatien was unbeaten in three minor races as a two-year-old. His wins were in the Teddington Plate at Kempton , the John O’Gaunt Plate at Manchester Racecourse and the Little John Plate at Nottingham . The combined value of
2538-731: The Jockey Club was formed as a way to control the Newmarket races, set the rules of the game, prevent dishonesty, and create a level field. The Epsom Derby began in 1780. The first of the five classic races began with the St Leger Stakes in 1776. In 1814, the system was complete with five annual races. While Newmarket and the Jockey Club set the standards, most of the racing took place in landowners' fields and in rising towns for small cash prizes and enormous local prestige. The system of wagering
2632-514: The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe , Melbourne Cup , Japan Cup , Epsom Derby , Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup , are run over distances in the middle of this range and are seen as tests of both speed and stamina to some extent. In the most prestigious races, horses are generally allocated the same weight to carry for fairness, with allowances given to younger horses and female horses running against males. These races are called conditions races and offer
2726-698: The Roman Empire , chariot and mounted horse racing were major industries. From the mid-fifth century BCE, spring carnival in Rome closed with a horse race. Fifteen to twenty riderless horses, originally imported from the Barbary Coast of North Africa , were set loose to run the length of the Via del Corso , a long, straight city street. The race lasted about two-and-a-half minutes. In later times, Thoroughbred racing became popular with British royalty and aristocrats, earning it
2820-514: The "shrewdest people on the turf" and would be unlikely to waste their money backing a horse with no chance. St. Gatien, who had not been entered for the 2000 Guineas , made his three-year-old debut in The Derby . The customary huge crowd was in attendance, despite the "cold and cheerless" weather. St. Gatien was not a popular choice with the public but was reportedly backed by the "sharps" (those with inside knowledge) and started at odds of 100/8 in
2914-484: The 1864 Newmarket spring meeting with Bacchus , a horse he had owned and run in Ireland. The funds from this and further wins enabled Machell to purchase Bedford Cottage stables in Newmarket. Here he employed George Bloss to act as trainer, whilst he retained strategic control and management of the horses and stables. Later trainers were Joe Cannon and James Jewitt. In 1884 he purchased the adjacent Bedford Lodge stables and leased these to George Alexander Baird . Machell
James Octavius Machell - Misplaced Pages Continue
3008-404: The 1871 Scottish Grand National for Machell, became unhappy with Machell’s attempts to influence the betting market and parted company with him. Machell moved his jumpers to Joe Cannon at Kentford. Cannon would ride Regal to victory in the 1876 National. A further National win was secured for owner John Manners-Sutton, 3rd Baron Manners who had wagered that he could buy and ride the winner of
3102-491: The 1886 season concerned the newly inaugurated Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in July, which offered a then record prize of £10,000. From the start of the year, St. Gatien was seen as one of the leading contenders for the new race together with Bendigo and Minting . For the second year in succession, St. Gatien's spring preparation was disrupted, this time by injury, although he was able to resume his training in time for Royal Ascot. It
3196-444: The Arabian, which make it less suitable for endurance racing. It also has more type II-b muscle fibers, which allow the Quarter Horse to accelerate rapidly. When Quarter Horse racing began, it was very expensive to lay a full mile of track so it was agreed that a straight track of four hundred meters, or one-quarter of a mile, would be laid instead. It became the standard racing distance for Quarter Horses and inspired their name. With
3290-584: The Bedford Cottage stables to Harry McCalmont , wealthy owner of Isinglass . He retained some horses at his Chetwynd House stables, trained by George Chaloner, and continued to run horses in Ireland. Lillie Langtry related visits from Captain Machell to her Regal Lodge residence in Kentford, where they were neighbours. This was after 1895 when Langtry first owned the house. She says Machell taught her much about
3384-659: The Derby and make considerable money for the connections. This was to be the first of three Derby wins for the Machell stables, the others being Harvester (1884) and Isinglass (1893). Harvester's win was a dead heat with St. Gatien . Machell had a good eye for steeplechasers and he became the most successful owner in the history of The Grand National with three winners: Disturbance (1873), Reugny (1874) and Regal (1876). The first two were ridden and trained by John Maunsell Richardson at Limba Magna who rode as an amateur (gentleman rider). Richardson, who had previously won
3478-763: The Hall until about 1928. Horse racing Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic premise – to identify which of two or more horses is the fastest over a set course or distance – has been mostly unchanged since at least classical antiquity . Due to animal cruelty, companies and individuals are boycotting horse racing and it has been steadily declining in popularity worldwide. Horse races vary widely in format, and many countries have developed their own particular traditions around
3572-648: The Heath Stud at Newmarket where he stood at an initial fee of 50 guineas. He remained in England until the summer of 1890 when he was sold to the German government for £14,000 and exported to stand at Graditz . He returned to England to stand at the Cobham stud until 1898 when he was exported to the United States and sold privately to James Ben Ali Haggin . He stood at Rancho del Paso, California until its closure in 1905. St. Gatien
3666-517: The Jockey Club Cup. He started at odds of 1/8 and won the race very easily, beating Lavaret by fifteen lengths. After St. Gatien's defeat in the Cambridgeshire, Hammond responded to the earlier challenge of Lord Hastings by suggesting a level-weight match race between St. Gatien and Melton at some point in the following season for a stake of between £5,000 and £20,000. Much of the interest in
3760-469: The Thoroughbred breed. The standardbred is a breed of horse used for a variety of purposes, but they are largely bred for harness racing. They are descended from thoroughbreds, morgans, and extinct breeds. Standardbreds are typically docile and easy to handle. They do not spook easily and are quite versatile in what they can do. They can be jumpers, dressage, and pleasure riding horses. The Arabian horse
3854-544: The U.S. economy today. Horse racing has become the second most popular spectator sport in the United States with the establishment of historic tracks like Belmont Park, major events like the Kentucky Derby, and significant institutions such as the American Stud Book. The American Stud Book was started in 1868, prompting the beginning of organized horse racing in the United States. There were 314 tracks operating in
James Octavius Machell - Misplaced Pages Continue
3948-618: The United States by 1890; and in 1894, the American Jockey Club was formed. The Pleasanton Fairgrounds Racetrack at the Alameda County Fairgrounds is the oldest remaining horse racing track in America, dating from 1858, when it was founded by the sons of the Spaniard Don Agustín Bernal. St. Gatien St. Gatien (1881–after 1906) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire . In 1884 he
4042-478: The addendum section, or Appendix, of the Official Quarter Horse registry. An Appendix Quarter Horse is a horse that has either one Quarter Horse parent and one parent of any other eligible breed (such as Thoroughbred, the most common Appendix cross), two parents that are registered Appendix Quarter Horses, or one parent that is a Quarter Horse and one parent that is an Appendix Quarter Horse. AQHA also issues
4136-502: The ancestral home of the Machell family for five centuries but was sold to Lord Lonsdale in 1786. In 1877 Captain Machell bought back the Hall, restoring and adding to it. Machell, who never married, left the hall to his nephew Percy Machell who was killed at the Battle of the Somme in July 1916. His wife, Lady Valda Machell, daughter of Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg , continued to live at
4230-625: The biggest purses . There is another category of races called handicap races where each horse is assigned a different weight to carry based on its ability. Besides the weight they carry, horses' performance can also be influenced by position relative to the inside barrier, sex, jockey, and training. Jump (or jumps) racing in Great Britain and Ireland is known as National Hunt racing (although, confusingly, National Hunt racing also includes flat races taking place at jumps meetings; these are known as National Hunt flat races). Jump racing can be subdivided into steeplechasing and hurdling , according to
4324-437: The colt for as little as £ 100, before putting him into training with Robert Sherwood at his Exeter House stable at Newmarket, Suffolk . Sherwood agreed to train the horse at a reduced rate of thirty shillings a week instead of the usual fifty as he had very few horses in his stable at the time. At the end of 1883, Brace succeeded in selling St. Gatien for £1,400 to Jack Hammond, a former stable-boy who had made his fortune as
4418-570: The contest between the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology . Chariot racing was one of the most popular sports of ancient Greece , Rome and the Byzantine Empire . By 648 BCE, both chariot and mounted horse racing events were part of the ancient Greek Olympics , and were important in the other Panhellenic Games . Chariot racing was dangerous to both driver and horse, often leading to serious injury and even death. In
4512-469: The day he won his third Jockey Club Cup, he would have beaten Ormonde . In 1884, St. Gatien earned £7,342, the highest for any horse in Britain. Mathew Dawson , who trained the winners of twenty-eight Classics said of St. Gatien and St. Simon that "two better animals never trod the turf." The "vexed question" of which of the two was the better, was never resolved on the racecourse. St. Gatien retired to
4606-514: The establishment of the Newmarket course in Salisbury, New York, a section of what is now known as the Hempstead Plains of Long Island , New York. This first racing meet in North America was supervised by New York's colonial governor, Richard Nicolls . The area is now occupied by the present Nassau County, New York , a region of Greater Westbury and East Garden City. The South Westbury section
4700-400: The exception of the longer, 870-yard (800 m) distance contests, Quarter Horse races are run flat out, with the horses running at top speed for the duration. There is less jockeying for position, as turns are rare, and many races end with several contestants grouped together at the wire. The track surface is similar to that of Thoroughbred racing and usually consists of dirt. In addition to
4794-513: The first generation of thoroughbreds, and all modern thoroughbreds are their descents. Thoroughbreds range in height, which is measured in hands (a hand being four inches). Some are as small as 15 hands while others are over 17. Thoroughbreds can travel medium distances at fast paces, requiring a balance between speed and endurance. Thoroughbreds may be bay , black , dark bay/brown, chestnut , gray , roan , white or palomino . Artificial insemination, cloning and embryo transfer are not allowed in
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#17330850245494888-668: The former due to the gaits used. Occasionally a horse will break their gait into an actual canter or gallop. This could cause the loss of a race or even a disqualification. Notable races include the Hambletonian and the Breeder's Crown series. Ridden trot races are more common in places such as Europe and New Zealand. These horses are trotters who race on the flat under saddle with a jockey on their backs. The length of an endurance race varies greatly. Some are very short, only ten miles, while other races can be up to one hundred miles. There are
4982-532: The grounds of "insufficient entry"- apparently a reference to his uncertain paternity- but this was quickly withdrawn. On his first start after the Derby, St. Gatien was sent to Royal Ascot for the Gold Vase , in which he faced the top class older horses Corrie Roy (who started favourite) and Tristan at weight-for-age over two miles. Corrie Roy made the running until the straight, when Wood moved St. Gatien up to challenge. The Derby winner quickly took control of
5076-495: The latter would be retired. Although St. Simon did stay in training in 1885, he was unable to run and the much-anticipated meeting of the "two Saints" never materialised. Before the start of the 1885 season, Hammond announced that although St. Gatien would be entered for the most important handicap races , he would be mainly aimed at the major weight-for-age staying races. In spring however, all of Hammond's plans were placed in jeopardy when St. Gatien fell seriously ill with what
5170-408: The lead and finished third, beaten three lengths and half a length by Bendigo and Candlemas. St. Gatien returned to Newmarket on October 12 to attempt to win a second Cesarewitch. On this occasion, he was assigned a weight of 131 pounds, twenty-three pounds more than any of the seventeen other runners. He made little show in the race and finished unplaced behind Stone Clink. Two days later, St. Gatien
5264-904: The more prominent racing bodies to either postpone or cancel all events. There are many types of horse racing, including: Different breeds of horses have been bred to excel in each of these disciplines. Breeds that are used for flat racing include the Thoroughbred , Quarter Horse , Arabian , Paint , and Appaloosa . Jump racing breeds include the Thoroughbred and AQPS . In harness racing, Standardbreds are used in Australia, New Zealand and North America. In Europe, Russian and French Trotters are used with Standardbreds. Light cold blood horses, such as Finnhorses and Scandinavian Coldblood Trotters are also used in harness racing within their respective geographical areas. There are also races for ponies: both flat and jump and harness racing. Flat racing
5358-413: The most common. Short races are generally referred to as "sprints", while longer races are known as "routes" in the United States or "staying races" in Europe. Although fast acceleration ("a turn of foot") is usually required to win either type of race, in general sprints are seen as a test of speed, while long-distance races are seen as a test of stamina. The most prestigious flat races in the world, such as
5452-455: The next seven years. During this period he participated in horse racing and in 1862 became the leading owner in Ireland. The same year he was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain by purchase on 29 July. When his army life and racing started to conflict, he resigned his commission and took stables in Kennet near Newmarket, Suffolk with a small string of horses. He would bring off a betting coup at
5546-479: The owner of the 1885 Derby winner Melton issued a challenge to Jack Hammond for a £1,000 match race between his horse and St. Gatien, with Melton to receive nine pounds. The challenge was declined, as St. Gatien had already been heavily backed for the Cambridgeshire Handicap , a race in which he had been assigned 136 pounds and Hammond did not want to disrupt the horse's preparation. St. Gatien returned to
5640-731: The presence of oxygen. They are slow-twitch fibers. They allow muscles to work for longer periods of time resulting in greater endurance. Type II muscles are adapted for anaerobic exercise because they can function in the absence of oxygen. Type II-a fibers are intermediate, representing a balance between the fast-twitch fibers and the slow-twitch fibers. They allow the muscles to generate both speed and endurance. Thoroughbreds possess more Type II-a muscle fibers than Quarter Horses or Arabians. This type of fiber allows them to propel themselves forward at great speeds and maintain it for an extended distance. Type II-b fibers are fast-twitch fibers. These fibers allow muscles to contract quickly, resulting in
5734-632: The race and pulled away to win easily by four lengths from Corrie Roy, with Tristan a remote third. Later at the same meeting Corrie Roy won the Alexandra Plate , while Tristan beat Harvester in the Hardwicke Stakes . St. Gatien, who had not been entered in the St. Leger , did not reappear until October 7 when he ran in the Cesarewitch Stakes at Newmarket . In the two and a quarter mile handicap he
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#17330850245495828-454: The race included Eole , the outstanding older horse in America in 1883, and the 1884 2000 Guineas winner Scot Free. St. Gatien, who started the 1/3 favourite was always going easily and overtook Eole a furlong out before pulling clear to win "in a canter" by three lengths. On the following day he faced Eole again in the three mile Alexandra Plate which also attracted the leading French colt Hermitage. St. Gatien raced in last place for much of
5922-526: The racecourse after a break of four months in Her Majesty's Plate over two miles at Newmarket on October 12. The race proved meaningless as a contest, his only opponent being a three-year-old filly called Jane who had finished runner-up in the 1000 Guineas . St. Gatien started at odds of 1/33 and won with predictable ease by twenty lengths. In the Cambridgeshire over nine furlongs on 27 October, St. Gatien, now undefeated in eleven races, started 2/1 favourite in
6016-506: The racing manager for Henry Chaplin. Machell had three of Chaplin's horses - Breadalbane , Broomielaw and Hermit - transferred to Bedford Cottage from William Goater’s yard in Findon, West Sussex . Hermit was entered for the 1867 Epsom Derby but suffered severe bleeding from the nose during training and it appeared unlikely he would be fit enough to run. However, he responded well to treatment and recovered in time to race, going on to take
6110-542: The sordid nature" of Machell's manipulation that he withdrew from public riding after his 1874 Grand National win on Reugny. His experience was not unique, in Turf Memories of Sixty Years , Alexander Scott provides other examples of how Machell would use questionable tactics, and Lillie Langtry in her memoirs relates stories told to her by Machell about money making schemes connected with selling plate races. In 1887 Machell lost his friend jockey Fred Archer who died from
6204-601: The sport, but horses and racing filled his mind to obsession, his literature consisted of sporting papers and he passed a good part of his time making imaginary handicaps. He carried a little book in his waistcoat pocket that contained details and values of all his assets, including his horses. Captain James Octavius Machell died on 11 May 1902 in Hastings and was buried in Newmarket. Crackenthorpe Hall in Cumbria had been
6298-450: The sport. Variations include restricting races to particular breeds , running over obstacles, running over different distances, running on different track surfaces , and running in different gaits . In some races, horses are assigned different weights to carry to reflect differences in ability, a process known as handicapping. While horses are sometimes raced purely for sport, a major part of horse racing's interest and economic importance
6392-520: The sport’s precision and competitiveness. These developments have contributed to making horse racing one of the most sophisticated and thrilling global sports today. Horse racing was one of the few sports that continued during the 2020 COVID-19 crisis, with the Australian and Hong Kong racing jurisdictions carrying on, albeit with no crowds. The United States, the United Kingdom, and France were some of
6486-464: The systematic development of specialized breeds and equipment. The popularity of equestrian sports throughout the centuries has resulted in the preservation of skills that would otherwise have vanished once horses were no longer used in combat. In Britain, horse racing became well-established in the 18th century, and continued to grow in popularity. King Charles II (reigned 1649 to 1685) was an avid sportsman who gave Newmarket its prominence. By 1750,
6580-513: The ten furlong Free Handicap at the same meeting on October 22. He started odds-on favourite and successfully conceded three pounds to Duke of Richmond , winning comfortably by three quarters of a length. On his final start of the year he won at Newmarket for the third time when taking the Jockey Club Cup . Hopes for a meeting between St. Gatien and the other outstanding horse of his generation St. Simon were put in doubt when it appeared that
6674-478: The third and fourth Earls of Lonsdale, Colonel Owen Williams , Captain Prime, Lord Hastings, Lord Gerard, the Duke of Beaufort, Lord Strathnairn, Lord Aylesford, Mr C. J. Blake, Lord Rodney and Colonel Harry McCalmont . Some of the great horses he managed were Hermit , Petronel , Belphoebe , Pilgrimage , Seabreeze , Harvester , Kilwarlin and the triple crown winner , Isinglass . In 1865 Machell became
6768-486: The three main racing breeds above and their crosses, horse racing may be conducted using various other breeds: Appaloosa, American Paint Horse, Selle Français , AQPS and Korean Jeju . Muscles are bundles of contractile fibers that are attached to bones by tendons. These bundles have different types of fibers within them, and horses have adapted over the years to produce different amounts of these fibers. Type I muscle fibers are adapted for aerobic exercise and rely on
6862-466: The three was less than £500. In April, St. Gatien made his first appearance in the betting lists for The Derby , being backed at odds of 40/1 . A correspondent for Bell's Life had little to say in his favour at this time, pointing out that the races he had won had been very poorly contested. The Sportsman noted that he was supposedly a difficult horse to ride, but admitted that his connections (his owner and trainer and their associates) were among
6956-403: The title of "Sport of Kings". Historically, equestrians honed their skills through games and races. Equestrian sports provided entertainment for crowds and displayed the horsemanship required for battle. Horse racing evolved from impromptu competitions among riders and drivers. The various forms of competition, which required demanding and specialized skills from both horse and rider, resulted in
7050-455: The type and size of obstacles being jumped. The word "steeplechasing" can also refer collectively to any type of jump race in certain racing jurisdictions, particularly in the United States. Typically, horses progress to bigger obstacles and longer distances as they get older, so that a European jumps horse will tend to start in National Hunt flat races as a juvenile, move on to hurdling after
7144-512: The way before moving up to take the lead two furlongs out and drawing away to win by six lengths. At about this time there was a serious disagreement between Jack Hammond and Robert Sherwood, which resulted in Hammond removing all his horses, including St. Gatien from Sherwood's stable and moving them across Newmarket to the Middleton Cottage stable of James Waugh . In autumn Lord Hastings,
7238-613: The world is the Mongol Derby , which is 1,000 km (620 mi) long. In most horse races, entry is restricted to certain breeds; that is, the horse must have a sire (father) and a dam (mother) who are studbook-approved individuals of whatever breed is racing. For example, in a normal harness race, the horse's sire and dam must both be pure Standardbreds. The exception to this is in Quarter Horse racing, where an Appendix Quarter Horse may be considered eligible to race against (standard) Quarter Horses. The designation of "Appendix" refers to
7332-509: Was assigned a weight of 122 pounds , meaning that he carried more weight than any of the other runners except for the six-year-old Corrie Roy and the four-year-old Florence, the winner of the Grosser Preis von Baden . No three-year-old had ever won the race with such a weight, the previous record being 118 carried by Robert the Devil in 1880. St. Gatien, who looked "magnificent" before the race,
7426-408: Was aware of the potential for Irish-bred horses and many of his future successes would come from Irish yearlings sent to him by Charles Blake of Heath House Stables, Maryborough ( Portlaoise ). Machell was a good athlete when young and during his army days would make wagers on his ability to perform feats of strength and agility. When he moved to Newmarket in 1864 he beat the local running champion in
7520-566: Was born at Etton Rectory near Beverley on 5 December 1837, the youngest child of the Reverend Robert and Eliza Machell. He attended Rossall School near Fleetwood Lancashire from 1846 to 1854. In 1857 he joined the army and was posted to India , becoming involved with the suppression of the Indian mutiny . His regiment returned home to be quartered on The Curragh in Ireland where Machell spent
7614-454: Was conceding twenty-four pounds, to win by a head. The Eclipse Stakes took place on July 23 over ten furlongs, at weight-for-age, with the winners of major races carrying extra weight "penalties". St. Gatien started at 9/4 in a field of twelve, with Bendigo, receiving three pounds, going off the 6/4 favourite. St. Gatien started well and was settled by Wood to race just behind the leaders. In the straight he made his challenge but could never reach
7708-451: Was covered by The Rover, a "stilty-legged, broken down" horse, who happened to be at the same farm. Most contemporary commentators believed that St. Gatien's sire was The Rover, but it is possible that he was sired by Rotherhill. Neither stallion got any other horses of notable racing merit. The success of St. Gatien provoked interest in The Rover, who was found to have been sold for £50 and
7802-590: Was described as "pleuro-pneumonia", putting his future as a racehorse in considerable doubt. St. Gatien made a full recovery, and made his seasonal debut in the Gold Cup over two and a half miles at Royal Ascot on June 18. Much interest in the Gold Cup was created by a "sealed entry" in the race by the Duke of Portland , with hopes that it would contain the name of St. Simon. St. Simon did not appear, but St. Gatien's opponents for
7896-493: Was described by one correspondent as "the greatest that has ever been accomplished within in the memory of racing men," while others took the race as evidence for a radical reformation of the weight-for-age scale. Jack Hammond reportedly took £40,000 in winning bets on this occasion. Although St. Gatien was entered in the Cambridgeshire Handicap at the next Newmarket meeting, he would have been required to carry 139 pounds, and his connections decided not to run, instead targeting
7990-631: Was developed by the Bedouin people of the West Asia specifically for stamina over long distances, so they could outrun their enemies. It was not until 1725 that the first Arabians was brought to North America, and not until about the time of the Civil War that they were bred as purebreds. Until the formation of the Arabian Horse Registry of America in 1908, Arabians were recorded with the Jockey Club in
8084-405: Was effectively a match, with the only other runner starting at 100/1. St. Gatien, who started a slight favourite, gave Melton three pounds and was never in danger of defeat. After taking the lead just after half way he "polished off" Melton in the easiest fashion and won unchallenged by eight lengths to record his third successive victory in the race. In May 1886 The Sporting Times carried out
8178-537: Was essential to funding and growing of the industry, and all classes, from paupers to royalty participated. Members of high society were in control, and they made a special effort to keep out the riff-raff and to keep the criminal element away from the wagering. With real money at stake, the system needed skilled jockeys, trainers, grooms, and experts at breeding, which opened up new careers for working-class rural men. Every young ambitious stable boy could dream of making it big. In addition to its rich history, horse racing
8272-431: Was given a chance to redeem his reputation when he met Stone Clink again in Her Majesty's Plate over two miles. This race was at level weights and St. Gatien had no difficulty justifying his position as 4/9 favourite, taking the lead a furlong from the finish and winning very easily by three lengths. St. Gatien's last race came in the Jockey Club Cup on October 29 when he finally met Melton in an official contest. The race
8366-544: Was involved in the second and final dead heat in the history of The Derby , part of an unbeaten sequence of twelve races. St. Gatien went on to become a dominant performer in long-distance races, winning the Gold Cup and the Alexandra Plate at Royal Ascot , the Cesarewitch Handicap carrying a record weight, and three successive running of the Jockey Club Cup . In a racing career which lasted from 1883 until October 1886 he ran nineteen times, won sixteen races and
8460-437: Was never beaten at level weights. He was regarded by contemporary experts as one of the greatest horses of the 19th century. At the end of the 1886 season he was retired to stud where he had success in England, Germany and the United States. St. Gatien, bred by Major Francis Brace of Catisfield Hampshire was a "grand, lengthy" bay horse with a white blaze and three white socks . Brace made several unsuccessful attempts to sell
8554-437: Was reported that St. Gatien had been defeated by Melton in a private trial race in early 1886, but there are few details and it is unclear whether or not this was a serious contest. At Ascot, St. Gatien bypassed the staying events and ran instead in a Rous Memorial Stakes over one mile. He raced in third before taking the lead in the straight and in a well-contested finish, he held off the three-year-old St. Michael, to whom he
8648-608: Was repurchased by Haggin for $ 500 at the Rancho del Paso dispersal sale in December 1905, and he was relocated to Haggin's Elmendorf Farm . He was sold to George J. Long in January 1906 and was moved to Louisville, Kentucky . The best of St. Gatien's progeny was probably Meddler (out of Busybody ), who was a leading two-year-old in Britain where his wins included the Dewhurst Stakes . He
8742-557: Was restrained by Wood towards the back of the twenty runner field before being moved into contention two furlongs out. He was unable to obtain a clear run and had to be switched to the outside as the lead was disputed by Polemic and the French-trained Archiduc. Once in the clear, St. Gatien's acceleration decided the race in a "very few strides" and he drew clear with "ridiculous ease" to win impressively by four lengths from Polemic (carrying 85 pounds) and Archiduc (117). His win
8836-425: Was standing in Ireland at a fee of three guineas . On 19 November 1884 The Rover was killed when his throat was cut in his stable at Listowel . His death was the subject of a court case the following year in which his bankrupt owner was accused of the "malicious destruction" of the stallion to prevent him falling into the hands of his creditors. St. Gatien was ridden in most of his races by Charles Wood , who won
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