Sun Chariot (horse)
Encyclopedia
Sun Chariot was a good Thoroughbred
racehorse
that won the Fillies Triple Crown series of races.
She was bred by the National Stud and raced for King George VI
. Sun Chariot was a filly
of great talent but very difficult temperament. Before she ever appeared on a racecourse, she displayed such a lack of promise that she was nearly returned to Ireland
, where the stud then was. She topped the Free Handicap after winning the Middle Park Stakes
, Queen Mary Stakes
and two other races. However, in her first start as a three-year-old, she refused to make any effort and was beaten for what turned out to be the only time. She won the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks
(despite steering a most wayward course) and the St. Leger
, in which she beat the Derby winner, Watling Street
.
In retirement, she bred some good winners at stud before her death in 1963, including: Blue Train, whose unsoundness prevented him from doing himself justice; Laudau (exported to Australia where he sired 14 stakeswinners for 36 stakeswins); Gigantic (Imperial Stakes, exported to New Zealand and a sire of stakes winners) and Pindari, whose successes included the King Edward VII Stakes
and Great Voltigeur Stakes
.
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...
that won the Fillies Triple Crown series of races.
She was bred by the National Stud and raced for King George VI
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
. Sun Chariot was a filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
of great talent but very difficult temperament. Before she ever appeared on a racecourse, she displayed such a lack of promise that she was nearly returned to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, where the stud then was. She topped the Free Handicap after winning the 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...
, Queen Mary Stakes
Queen Mary Stakes
The Queen Mary Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
and two other races. However, in her first start as a three-year-old, she refused to make any effort and was beaten for what turned out to be the only time. She won the 1,000 Guineas, 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....
(despite steering a most wayward course) and the St. Leger
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...
, in which she beat the Derby winner, Watling Street
Watling Street (horse)
Watling Street was a Thoroughbred racehorse who is best known for winning the 1942 Epsom Derby.Bred and raced by Lord Derby, the colt was named for Watling Street, an ancient trackway in England and Wales....
.
In retirement, she bred some good winners at stud before her death in 1963, including: Blue Train, whose unsoundness prevented him from doing himself justice; Laudau (exported to Australia where he sired 14 stakeswinners for 36 stakeswins); Gigantic (Imperial Stakes, exported to New Zealand and a sire of stakes winners) and Pindari, whose successes included the King Edward VII Stakes
King Edward VII Stakes
The King Edward VII Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. 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....
and Great Voltigeur Stakes
Great Voltigeur Stakes
The Great Voltigeur Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
.