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The Flying Dutchman (horse)
Encyclopedia
The Flying Dutchman was an English Thoroughbred racehorse
who all of his first two season's race starts and was also an influential sire.
, who won every race in his two seasons on the turf until he was retired due to a problem with one of his forelegs. During that time, the colt won the Riddleton Stakes, the Bruton Street Stakes, the 2,000 Guineas, the Buckhust Stakes at Ascot, the Grand Duke Michael Stakes, the Epsom Derby
(against Gladiator, Venison and Slane), and his final race, a match between him and Muezzin. Bay Middleton was by the great Sultan
, winner of the Derby, and out of the Epsom Oaks
winning mare Cobweb. Bay Middleton also sired Aphrodite (winner of the 1,000 Guineas), The Hermit (Two Thousand Guineas), Andover (Derby), and Fly By Night. As a broodmare-sire, he produced Ellen Middleton, and dams of Wild Dayrell, Saunterer, Mainstone, Sunbeam, and Mainbrace. He was the Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 1844 and 1849.
The Flying Dutchman was out of the 15-hand mare Barbelle. She was by the stallion Sandbeck, who won the 1823 Club Stakes at Doncaster and 1824 York's Fitzwilliam Stakes, and produced the colt Redshank. Her other offspring included Van Tromp (by Lanercost), who was quite successful on the turf and at stud. His success led to Lord Eglinton's decision to purchase The Flying Dutchman as a yearling, for £1,000.
, defeating the 26-horse field in the heavy going, although he had to be hit twice (the only time the whip was used on him in his career) to ensure he triumped over the Sir Hercules
son, Hotspur. He had walk-overs at his next two races, before defeating the Two Thousand Guineas winner Nunnykirk by two lengths in the St. Leger, and performing another walk-over a few days later at the Foal Stakes. He then won by forfeit, for £500, after Honeycomb (also by Bay Middleton) was withdrawn from the scheduled match race between the two. He finished the season with the Belvoir Stakes, winning by eight lengths. At four, The Flying Dutchman first won the Emperor of Russia's Plate by eight lengths, then the 29-furlong Goodwood Stakes by 10 lengths.
It wasn't until the Doncaster Cup
that he was defeated, by the 1847 colt Voltigeur (also a winner of the St. Leger and Derby). The younger colt defeated the Dutchman by half a length, despite having contested the St. Leger two days before. It is possible that this loss was due to his jockey pushing him at break-neck speed at the beginning of the race, as well as the fact that the horse was not properly conditioned, since his trainer had thought that Voltigeur would forfeit. Regardless, it was decided to scrap the original plan of retiring The Flying Dutchman after the Doncaster, and instead run him in a match race against Voltigeur to try to regain his reputation as invincible. The two mile race was held on 31 May 1851, for a purse of 1,000 sovereigns. Despite carrying an extra 8.5 lbs, The Flying Dutchman defeated his rival by a length, and retired to stud.
July Stakes (Newmarket): win
Sweepstakes for 400 sovereigns (Newmarket): win
£1400 sweepstakes (Liverpool): win
Champagne Stakes (Doncaster): win
Two Year Old Stakes (Doncaster): win
1849: Three-year-old year
Derby Stakes (Epsom): win
Produce Stakes (Liverpool): walk over
Bickerstaff Stakes (Liverpool): walk over
St. Leger (Doncaster): win
Foal Stakes (Doncaster): win
Match with Honeycomb: win by forfeit
Belvoir Stakes (Newmarket): win
1850: Four-year-old year
Emperor of Russia's Plate (Ascot): win
Sweepstakes for 4 year olds (Goodwood): win
Doncaster Cup (Doncaster): place
1851: Five-year-old year
Match against Voltigeur (York): win
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...
who all of his first two season's race starts and was also an influential sire.
Breeding
The Flying Dutchman was by Bay MiddletonBay Middleton (horse)
Bay Middleton was an undefeated Thoroughbred racehorse whose victories included two British Classic Races. He was twice the Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland.-Breeding:...
, who won every race in his two seasons on the turf until he was retired due to a problem with one of his forelegs. During that time, the colt won the Riddleton Stakes, the Bruton Street Stakes, the 2,000 Guineas, the Buckhust Stakes at Ascot, the Grand Duke Michael Stakes, 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...
(against Gladiator, Venison and Slane), and his final race, a match between him and Muezzin. Bay Middleton was by the great Sultan
Sultan (horse)
Sultan was a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and a leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland for six successive seasons.-Breeding:He was by Selim , out of Bacchante by Williamson's Ditto. Sultan was inbred to three great sires, Herod , Eclipse , to Herod's best son, Highflyer...
, winner of the Derby, and out of 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....
winning mare Cobweb. Bay Middleton also sired Aphrodite (winner of the 1,000 Guineas), The Hermit (Two Thousand Guineas), Andover (Derby), and Fly By Night. As a broodmare-sire, he produced Ellen Middleton, and dams of Wild Dayrell, Saunterer, Mainstone, Sunbeam, and Mainbrace. He was the Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 1844 and 1849.
The Flying Dutchman was out of the 15-hand mare Barbelle. She was by the stallion Sandbeck, who won the 1823 Club Stakes at Doncaster and 1824 York's Fitzwilliam Stakes, and produced the colt Redshank. Her other offspring included Van Tromp (by Lanercost), who was quite successful on the turf and at stud. His success led to Lord Eglinton's decision to purchase The Flying Dutchman as a yearling, for £1,000.
Conformation
Like his dam, the brown colt was fairly small, standing only 15 hands 3 3 inches high. He had a long back and nicely sloping shoulders, powerful hindquarters, good bone, and was a bit over at the knee (as were many of his offspring). The roman-nosed animal also had an incredible stride and was brave, which no doubt helped him on the turf.Racing career
Trained by John Fobert, The Flying Dutchman debuted as a two-year old, and was undefeated that year. As a three-year-old, he began the season in the Epsom DerbyEpsom 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...
, defeating the 26-horse field in the heavy going, although he had to be hit twice (the only time the whip was used on him in his career) to ensure he triumped over the Sir Hercules
Sir Hercules
Sir Hercules was an Irish bred Thoroughbred racehorse, and was later a successful sire.-Pedigree:Sir Hercules was by the great sire Whalebone, winner of the Epsom Derby, out of Peri by Wanderer. Peri was bred to Whalebone at the age of three and Sir Hercules, her first foal, was born in 1826 at...
son, Hotspur. He had walk-overs at his next two races, before defeating the Two Thousand Guineas winner Nunnykirk by two lengths in the St. Leger, and performing another walk-over a few days later at the Foal Stakes. He then won by forfeit, for £500, after Honeycomb (also by Bay Middleton) was withdrawn from the scheduled match race between the two. He finished the season with the Belvoir Stakes, winning by eight lengths. At four, The Flying Dutchman first won the Emperor of Russia's Plate by eight lengths, then the 29-furlong Goodwood Stakes by 10 lengths.
It wasn't until the Doncaster Cup
Doncaster Cup
The Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
that he was defeated, by the 1847 colt Voltigeur (also a winner of the St. Leger and Derby). The younger colt defeated the Dutchman by half a length, despite having contested the St. Leger two days before. It is possible that this loss was due to his jockey pushing him at break-neck speed at the beginning of the race, as well as the fact that the horse was not properly conditioned, since his trainer had thought that Voltigeur would forfeit. Regardless, it was decided to scrap the original plan of retiring The Flying Dutchman after the Doncaster, and instead run him in a match race against Voltigeur to try to regain his reputation as invincible. The two mile race was held on 31 May 1851, for a purse of 1,000 sovereigns. Despite carrying an extra 8.5 lbs, The Flying Dutchman defeated his rival by a length, and retired to stud.
Record
1848: Two-year-old yearJuly Stakes (Newmarket): win
Sweepstakes for 400 sovereigns (Newmarket): win
£1400 sweepstakes (Liverpool): win
Champagne Stakes (Doncaster): win
Two Year Old Stakes (Doncaster): win
1849: Three-year-old year
Derby Stakes (Epsom): win
Produce Stakes (Liverpool): walk over
Bickerstaff Stakes (Liverpool): walk over
St. Leger (Doncaster): win
Foal Stakes (Doncaster): win
Match with Honeycomb: win by forfeit
Belvoir Stakes (Newmarket): win
1850: Four-year-old year
Emperor of Russia's Plate (Ascot): win
Sweepstakes for 4 year olds (Goodwood): win
Doncaster Cup (Doncaster): place
1851: Five-year-old year
Match against Voltigeur (York): win
Stud record
During his first few years at stud, The Flying Dutchman stood at Rawcliffe Paddocks, for a fee of 30 guineas. He was later sold in 1859, for a sum of 150,000 francs, to Napoleon III's National Stud and stood there until his death in 1870. In England, The Flying Dutchman produced very little of merit, despite covering a great number of mares for that time (50 mares in his first season). He was one of the top sires from 1855-1862, making it up to second place in 1860 and 1861 mainly due to his great filly, Flying Duchess. During this time he also sired Derby winner Ellington, some good broodmares, and good jumping horses. In France, he sired Dollar, and many other top race horses, making his time there much more successful than his breeding career in England. Additionally, his blood was sent to Australia and New Zealand through granddaughter Mermaid. Some of his get includes:- Brown Duchess: 1858 filly, won the Two Year Old Stakes, the New Stakes, St. Helen's Purse, Liverpool Cup, Stanley Stakes, and Filly Stakes and placed in the Queen's Plate, Stamford Plate, and Two Year Old Plate as a two-year-old. At three, won the Epsom Oaks, Stanley Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks, Grand Duke Michael Stakes, and Queen's Plate, dead-heated in the Doncaster Cup, and was third in the One Thousand Guineas. Dam of Visionary (by Loup-garou), Noblesse, and Berggeist.
- Deliane: 1862 filly, won the French OaksPrix de DianeThe Prix de Diane, sometimes referred to as the French Oaks, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies...
, dam of Enguerrande (dead-heated in Epsom Oaks, won the French One Thousand GuineasPoule d'Essai des PoulichesThe Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, sometimes referred to as the French 1,000 Guineas, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies...
and the Prix de Villebon, second in the Grand Prix de ParisGrand Prix de ParisThe Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:...
and the Prix du Jockey Club) and La Jonchere (won the Prix de Diane, the Prix Daru and the Prix des Cars), and Xaintrailles (won the Prendergast Stakes, the French Two Thousand GuineasPoule d'Essai des PoulainsThe Poule d'Essai des Poulains, sometimes referred to as the French 2,000 Guineas, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts...
, and the Grand Poule des Produits). - Dollar: 1860 colt, won the Prix de la Société d'Encouragement (2,200 Metres), Prix Principal (4,000 Metres), the Grand Prix de l'Empereur (Prix Lupin), Grand Prix de l'Imperatrice (Prix Rainbow), the Brighton Cup, Great Northamptonshire Handicap, and Goodwood Cup, and ran second in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby). Record of 19: 8-5-3. Influential sire in France, with progeny including Sea Sick, Omnium II, Bruleur, KsarKsar (horse)Ksar was a French Thoroughbred racehorse who had back-to-back wins in France's most prestigious horse race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.-Breeding:...
(winner of the French Derby), TourbillonTourbillon (horse)Tourbillon was an French Thoroughbred racehorse and Champion sire. He was bred and raced by one of France's most prominent horsemen, Marcel Boussac...
(winner of the French Derby), Ossian (winner of St. Leger), Upas (French Derby), and Androclès. - Dutch Skater: 1866 colt, a stayer, won the Warwick Cup, the Great Metropolitan Handicap, the Doncaster CupDoncaster CupThe Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
, and the 6,200 metre Prix GladiateurPrix GladiateurThe Prix Gladiateur is a Group 3 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged four 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 September....
all at age six. His get include Insulaire (winner of the French Derby, Ascot Derby, Claret Stakes, Queen Alexandra Stakes; second in the Two Thousand Guineas, Epsom Derby, Grand Prix de Paris, Sussex Stakes, Newmarket St. Leger, Jockey Club Cup), the filly Dutch Oven (won 9 races at 2yo, and the Doncaster St. Leger, Yorkshire Oaks, and Great Foal Stakes at 3) and Yellow (won the Prix de L'Avenir, the Prix à Bade, the Grand Prix du Jubilee, the Biennial, the Prix Hocquart and the Prix de Fontainebleau; sired Grand Steeplechase de Paris winner Dandolo). - Ellington: 1853 colt, only Epsom Derby winner that was sired by The Flying Dutchman. Was a poor sire, although a good show horse following his retirement from racing.
- Flying Duchess: 1853 filly, dam of the great racehorse and sire GalopinGalopinGalopin was a good British Thoroughbred racehorse and a prominent sire.-Pedigree:Galopin's sire, Vedette, had a very good racing career, winning the Great Yorkshire Stakes, the Doncaster Cup , and the 1857 2,000 Guineas Stakes. Vedette's value as a stallion had declined to such an extent that he...
. - Guildermire: 1855 filly, won the Champagne Stakes, placed in the Eglington Stakes, dead-heated in the Oaks (but lost the run-off).
- Ignoramus: 1854 colt, won Prince of Wales's Stakes, third in Fitzwilliam Stakes, and won a number of plates.
- Pennace: 1857 filly, descendants include Ajax, Double Life, PrecipitationPrecipitation (horse)Precipitation was an influential British bred Thoroughbred stallion who is found in the pedigrees of many racehorses and sport horses today. He alone is responsible for maintaining the Matchem sireline, through Sheshoon, except for the American Fair Play branch.-Pedigree:He was by Hurry On and out...
, and Persian Gulf. - Peter Wilkins: Exported to Australia where he was the damsire of the versatile MaluaMalua (horse)Malua was the most versatile Australian Thoroughbred racehorse in history. Malua won over distances ranging from 5½ furlongs to 3¼ miles .-Breeding:He was a son of St. Albans from Edella by Peter Wilkins...
.