Bayardo (horse)
Encyclopedia
Bayardo was a British
bred Thoroughbred
racehorse
with an impressive record, both on the racecourse and at stud, where he was a leading sire.
who won the Hardwicke Stakes
and the City and Suburban Handicap. Bay Ronald sired Rondeau, who won nine stakes races, and was the dam of the influential stallion Teddy
. He also sired Macdonald II, winner of the Prix Royal-Oak
in France, and Dark Ronald
, sire of Son-in-Law
and Vaucluse, winner of the 1,000 Guineas.
Bayardo's dam, Galicia, came from a good family which included having Blink Bonnie, as her fifth dam. Galicia was by Galopin - a Derby winner and sire of the legendary St. Simon - and out of the Isonomy
mare, Isoletta. She won the Biennial Stakes as a two-year-old, before injuring her pastern. Galicia raced as a three-year-old, but broke down in the Derby Cup and was retired for breeding. She produced four winners, of 42 races and £88,000, including Lemberg
, who won the Dewhurst Stakes
, Middle Park Stakes
, the Epsom Derby
, Eclipse Stakes
, St. James's Palace Stakes
, Jockey Club Stakes
, and the Coronation Cup
, finished second in the 2,000 Guineas, and third in the St. Leger Stakes
. Bayardo was inbred to Galopin in the second and fourth generations (2x4) and to Sterling in the fourth generation (4x4).
Alec Taylor's
stud farm
and training centre in Manton, Wiltshire
. Run in a trial, Bayardo showed his talent early by defeating several other two-year-olds and a three-year-old. He was then sent to his first race, the New Stakes at the Royal Ascot, which he won easily under jockey Bernard Dillon. He continued his winning streak throughout his two-year-old season, usually ridden by Danny Maher, including the National Breeders Produce Stakes, the Richmond Stakes
, the Buckenham Stakes, the Rous Memorial Stakes, the Middle Park Plate
, and the Dewhurst Plate
(beating the filly Perola
, who won the Epsom Oaks
the following year).
However, Bayardo faced setbacks the following season, due to a harsh winter that decreased training time and an accident on frosty ground which left him temporarily lame. Cox went against the wishes of his trainer and decided to run his colt in the 2,000 Guineas. Bayardo finished fourth, losing to the colt Minoru
. Following this race, Bayardo steadily improved, and was entered in the Epsom Derby. But problems arose again, this time when the favourite, Sir Martin, fell and hampered part of the field, causing enough of a setback that Bayardo finished fifth, again losing to Minoru.
, the Sandringham Foal Stakes, and the Eclipse Stakes
. In the latter race, he easily won by two lengths, beating several talented animals including Royal Realm (winner of the Dullingham Plate), Santo Strato (winner of the Chester Cup), and Your Majesty (winner of the Eclipse Stakes and the St. Leger the year before). He then won the 1.25 mile York Plate, before entering in the St. Leger Stakes
.
Going into the St. Leger, Bayardo was favoured over Minoru, the colt who had defeated him in both the Derby and the Two Thousand Guineas. Bayardo went on to win the third classic race without trouble, and then ran only two days later in the Doncaster Stakes, again for a win. The rest of his three-year-old season continued with victories, including the Champion Stakes
, the Lowther Stakes
, and the Limekiln Stakes, then the Sandown Park Foal Stakes the Liverpool St. Leger.
. His two preparatory races, the Biennial Stakes at Newmarket and the Chester Vase
at Chester, were both victories (although just barely in latter, as he won by a head). In the Gold Cup, Bayardo faced the Prix du Jockey Club
winner Sea Sick II. Sea Sick II was in the lead for some time, while Bayardo was held back in the field according to the race tactic of jockey Maher. With six furlongs to go, Bayardo decided he would rather take the lead and ran off with his jockey, past his French opponent, to win by four lengths. This race is often regarded as the greatest of his career.
Bayardo continued his four-year-old season with a win in the Dullingham Plate, his fifteenth in succession since losing the Derby the year before. In his final race of the season, the Goodwood Cup
Bayardo was still thought to be the favourite despite the fact that he carried 36 pounds more than the three-year-old colt Magic. Maher allowed Magic to set the pace, holding Bayardo back. But he allowed too much distance to grow between his horse and the other colt, so that when he finally gave Bayardo his head, the Bay Ronald son was unable to make it up before the finish, losing his sixteenth straight victory by only a neck. Magic never went on to win any other major race.
During his career, Bayardo started in 25 races, winning 22, finishing second in another and was only unplaced twice. His career earnings amounted to £44,535. Bayardo's race distances ranged from five furlongs to two and a half miles, showing not only his great speed, but also his versatility.
in 1917 and 1918, and leading broodmare sire in 1925. He produced three classic winners, two of which went on to win the English Triple Crown. However, his excellent breeding career was cut short after he contracted thrombosis at the age of eleven, paralysed his hind legs and resulting in his death.
His progeny included:
Other descendants include:
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
bred Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
with an impressive record, both on the racecourse and at stud, where he was a leading sire.
Pedigree
He was sired by Bay RonaldBay Ronald
Bay Ronald, Foaled 3 May 1893, at Leybourne Grange Stud in Kent, England) was a thoroughbred racehorse that had a huge impact on the breeding of sport horses, mainly through his son Dark Ronald and grandson Teddy, and also carried on his lines in theThoroughbred racing world, through his son Bayardo...
who won the Hardwicke Stakes
Hardwicke Stakes
The Hardwicke Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.-History:...
and the City and Suburban Handicap. Bay Ronald sired Rondeau, who won nine stakes races, and was the dam of the influential stallion Teddy
Teddy (horse)
Teddy was a French racehorse and an influential sire, especially for lines in Italy, France, and the United States. He is considered one of the most influential sires in the 20th century.-Racing career:...
. He also sired Macdonald II, winner of the Prix Royal-Oak
Prix Royal-Oak
The Prix Royal-Oak is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 3,100 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October.-History:The event was established in 1861, and it was initially...
in France, and Dark Ronald
Dark Ronald
Dark Ronald was an English bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire who had a global influence on the breeding of Thoroughbreds and sport horses, with many show jumpers tracing back to him.-Breeding:...
, sire of Son-in-Law
Son-in-Law
Son-in-Law was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and an influential sire, especially for sport horses.The National Horseracing Museum says that Son-in-Law is "probably the best and most distinguished stayer this country has ever known." Described as "one of the principal influences for stamina in...
and Vaucluse, winner of the 1,000 Guineas.
Bayardo's dam, Galicia, came from a good family which included having Blink Bonnie, as her fifth dam. Galicia was by Galopin - a Derby winner and sire of the legendary St. Simon - and out of the Isonomy
Isonomy (horse)
Isonomy was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from 1877 to 1880 he ran fourteen times and won ten races. As a three-year-old he deliberately bypassed the Classics in order that his owner could land a massive betting coup in the Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket...
mare, Isoletta. She won the Biennial Stakes as a two-year-old, before injuring her pastern. Galicia raced as a three-year-old, but broke down in the Derby Cup and was retired for breeding. She produced four winners, of 42 races and £88,000, including Lemberg
Lemberg (horse)
Lemberg was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He won seventeen times in a career that lasted from 1909 until 1911, taking major races at two, three and four years of age. Lemberg won his most important victory as a three-year-old in 1910 when he won the Epsom Derby...
, who won the Dewhurst Stakes
Dewhurst Stakes
The Dewhurst Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was established in 1875, and it...
, Middle Park Stakes
Middle Park Stakes
The Middle Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The event was established...
, the Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, Eclipse Stakes
Eclipse Stakes
The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a...
, St. James's Palace Stakes
St. James's Palace Stakes
The St. James's Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
, Jockey Club Stakes
Jockey Club Stakes
The Jockey Club Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs at Newmarket, and the final part of the race is on the Rowley Mile...
, and the Coronation Cup
Coronation Cup
The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
, finished second in the 2,000 Guineas, and third in the St. Leger Stakes
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
. Bayardo was inbred to Galopin in the second and fourth generations (2x4) and to Sterling in the fourth generation (4x4).
Two-year-old
As a two-year-old, Cox sent Bayardo to trainerHorse trainer
In horse racing, a trainer prepares a horse for races, with responsibility for exercising it, getting it race-ready and determining which races it should enter...
Alec Taylor's
Alec Taylor, Jr.
Alec Taylor, Jr. was a British Thoroughbred racehorse trainer who followed in the footsteps of his highly successful father, Alec Taylor, Sr.....
stud farm
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
and training centre in Manton, Wiltshire
Manton, Wiltshire
Manton is a small village in Wiltshire on the outskirts of Marlborough just off the A4 Bath Road.Manton village is part of the Parish of Preshute, and as such includes St Georges Church, and Preshute Primary The Outside Chance is the only pub in the village....
. Run in a trial, Bayardo showed his talent early by defeating several other two-year-olds and a three-year-old. He was then sent to his first race, the New Stakes at the Royal Ascot, which he won easily under jockey Bernard Dillon. He continued his winning streak throughout his two-year-old season, usually ridden by Danny Maher, including the National Breeders Produce Stakes, the Richmond Stakes
Richmond Stakes
The Richmond Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August....
, the Buckenham Stakes, the Rous Memorial Stakes, the Middle Park Plate
Middle Park Stakes
The Middle Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The event was established...
, and the Dewhurst Plate
Dewhurst Stakes
The Dewhurst Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was established in 1875, and it...
(beating the filly Perola
Pérola
Pérola is a town and municipality in the state of Paraná in the Southern Region of Brazil.-References:...
, who won the Epsom Oaks
Epsom Oaks
The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early June....
the following year).
However, Bayardo faced setbacks the following season, due to a harsh winter that decreased training time and an accident on frosty ground which left him temporarily lame. Cox went against the wishes of his trainer and decided to run his colt in the 2,000 Guineas. Bayardo finished fourth, losing to the colt Minoru
Minoru (horse)
Minoru was a Thoroughbred racehorse who won two British Classic Races. He was bred by Lord Wavertree at his stud farm in Tully, Kildare town in County Kildare which today is the Irish National Stud....
. Following this race, Bayardo steadily improved, and was entered in the Epsom Derby. But problems arose again, this time when the favourite, Sir Martin, fell and hampered part of the field, causing enough of a setback that Bayardo finished fifth, again losing to Minoru.
Three-year-old
Bayardo continued his three-year-old season in great style, winning every race in which he started, resulting in 11 consecutive victories. This included the Prince of Wales's StakesPrince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
, the Sandringham Foal Stakes, and the Eclipse Stakes
Eclipse Stakes
The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a...
. In the latter race, he easily won by two lengths, beating several talented animals including Royal Realm (winner of the Dullingham Plate), Santo Strato (winner of the Chester Cup), and Your Majesty (winner of the Eclipse Stakes and the St. Leger the year before). He then won the 1.25 mile York Plate, before entering in the St. Leger Stakes
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
.
Going into the St. Leger, Bayardo was favoured over Minoru, the colt who had defeated him in both the Derby and the Two Thousand Guineas. Bayardo went on to win the third classic race without trouble, and then ran only two days later in the Doncaster Stakes, again for a win. The rest of his three-year-old season continued with victories, including the Champion Stakes
Champion Stakes
The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October...
, the Lowther Stakes
Lowther Stakes
The Lowther Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at York over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:...
, and the Limekiln Stakes, then the Sandown Park Foal Stakes the Liverpool St. Leger.
Four-year-old
Bayardo's four-year-old season was aimed at the Ascot Gold CupAscot Gold Cup
The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
. His two preparatory races, the Biennial Stakes at Newmarket and the Chester Vase
Chester Vase
The Chester Vase is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Chester over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 66 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
at Chester, were both victories (although just barely in latter, as he won by a head). In the Gold Cup, Bayardo faced the Prix du Jockey Club
Prix du Jockey Club
The Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
winner Sea Sick II. Sea Sick II was in the lead for some time, while Bayardo was held back in the field according to the race tactic of jockey Maher. With six furlongs to go, Bayardo decided he would rather take the lead and ran off with his jockey, past his French opponent, to win by four lengths. This race is often regarded as the greatest of his career.
Bayardo continued his four-year-old season with a win in the Dullingham Plate, his fifteenth in succession since losing the Derby the year before. In his final race of the season, the Goodwood Cup
Goodwood Cup
The Goodwood Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 2 miles , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:...
Bayardo was still thought to be the favourite despite the fact that he carried 36 pounds more than the three-year-old colt Magic. Maher allowed Magic to set the pace, holding Bayardo back. But he allowed too much distance to grow between his horse and the other colt, so that when he finally gave Bayardo his head, the Bay Ronald son was unable to make it up before the finish, losing his sixteenth straight victory by only a neck. Magic never went on to win any other major race.
Racing record
- 1908 (age 2): 7 wins out of 7 starts, £13,040 won
- 1909 (age 3): 11 wins out of 13 starts, unplaced in two races, won £24,797
- 1910 (age 4): 4 wins out of 5 starts, second in one race, won £6,698
During his career, Bayardo started in 25 races, winning 22, finishing second in another and was only unplaced twice. His career earnings amounted to £44,535. Bayardo's race distances ranged from five furlongs to two and a half miles, showing not only his great speed, but also his versatility.
Stud record
With his very impressive record on the turf, Bayardo was instantly popular as a sire. Standing at his trainer's Manton Stud, his stud fee soon rose to 300 guineas. Bayardo was Champion SireLeading sire in Great Britain & Ireland
The list below shows the leading sire of racehorses in Great Britain and Ireland for each year since 1751. This is determined by the amount of prize money won by the sire's progeny during the season.----- References :* -See also:...
in 1917 and 1918, and leading broodmare sire in 1925. He produced three classic winners, two of which went on to win the English Triple Crown. However, his excellent breeding career was cut short after he contracted thrombosis at the age of eleven, paralysed his hind legs and resulting in his death.
His progeny included:
- Allenby: second in the 2,000 Guineas
- Bayuda: Bayardo filly, winner of the Oaks
- GainsboroughGainsborough (horse)Gainsborough was a British bred Thoroughbred racehorse who won the English Triple Crown in 1918 and became a superior sire.-Breeding:...
: winner of the 1918 English Triple Crown, sire of four classic winners. His progeny included HyperionHyperion (horse)Hyperion was a British bred Thoroughbred, a dual classic winner and an outstanding sire. Owned by Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Hyperion won £29,509 during his career - a considerable sum at the time. His victories included the Epsom Derby and St...
, winner of the Epsom Derby and the St. Leger and champion sire six years in succession, and SolarioSolarioSolario was a very good British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Bred in Ireland by the 4th Earl of Dunraven, he was by the 1918 English Triple Crown champion, Gainsborough. His dam Sun Worship, was a daughter of the outstanding sire Sundridge who was the Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland in...
, winner of the St. Leger and Ascot Gold Cup. - Gay CrusaderGay CrusaderGay Crusader was a Thoroughbred racehorse who won the English Triple Crown in 1917.Owner/breeder Alfred W Cox mated his horse Bayardo with the mare Gay Laura to produce the ill-tempered colt Gay Crusader...
: winner of the 1917 English Triple Crown and £11,246. - Good and Gay: dam of stakes winning Saucy Sue (stakes winner of £25,284).
- Manilardo: winner of the Coronation Cup;
- Manton: third in the St. Leger, later one of the top three leading sires in Poland during the 1920s and champion sire in 1930.
- Mapledurham: third (both to Bayuda) in the Cheveley Park StakesCheveley Park StakesThe Cheveley Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The event was...
and in the Oaks - Pompadour: third in the 1,000 Guineas.
Other descendants include:
- Saucy Sue: granddaughter of Bayardo, and put him on the top of the "sire of broodmaresLeading broodmare sire in Great Britain & IrelandThe list below shows the leading sire of broodmares in Great Britain and Ireland for each year since 1899. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won during the year by racehorses which were foaled by a daughter of the sire.-----References:*...
" list. She won the 1,000 Guineas, the Oaks, and the Coronation StakesCoronation StakesThe Coronation Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.-History:...
; third in the Park Hill StakesPark Hill StakesThe Park Hill Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.The event was...
. - HyperionHyperion (horse)Hyperion was a British bred Thoroughbred, a dual classic winner and an outstanding sire. Owned by Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Hyperion won £29,509 during his career - a considerable sum at the time. His victories included the Epsom Derby and St...
provided the main branch of Bayardo descendants. Hyperion's progeny included AlibhaiAlibhai (horse)Alibhai was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who was purchased by Hollywood movie mogul Louis B. Mayer for 3,200 guineas and brought to the United States. He was sired by Epsom Derby winner Hyperion who was a six-time leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland. Grandsire Gainsborough was the 1918...
, Aristophanes, Aureole, Gulf Stream, HeliopolisHeliopolis (horse)Heliopolis was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and Champion sire bred and raced by Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby. He was raced from age two to four and then exported during World War II to the Coldstream Stud of E. Dale Shaffer in Lexington, Kentucky and arrived at the port of New York on...
, Helios, Hornbeam, KhaledKhaled (horse)Khaled was a British Thoroughbred racehorse best known as a sire in the United States. Bred and raced in England by the H. H. Aga Khan III, Khaled was sired by Hyperion, the 1933 Epsom Derby and St. Leger Stakes winner and a six-time Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland. Hyperion was a son of...
, Owen Tudor, Ruthless and Aldis Lamp.