Amato (horse)

Amato (1835 – 27 January 1841) was an English bred, English trained thoroughbred racehorse who won the Derby Stakes in 1838 on his only racecourse appearance. He was then injured and retired undefeated.

Amato
Amato by J F Herring, Sr
SireVelocipede
GrandsireBlacklock
DamJane Shaw
DamsireWoful
SexStallion
Foaled1835
CountryUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
ColourBrown bay
BreederSir Gilbert Heathcote
OwnerSir Gilbert Heathcote
TrainerRalph Sherwood
Record1: 1-0-0
Earnings£4, 005 (record for the time)
Major wins
Derby Stakes (1838)
Last updated on 10 November 2011

Breeding

Amato was a brown bay colt, bred on Epsom Downs by Sir Gilbert Heathcote in 1835, and was by Velocipede [1] out of Jane Shaw, by Woful out of Bella Dona (bred by the Duke of York in 1816), by Seymour.[2] In his pedigree were notable thoroughbreds such as Perdita, Old Partner and Yellow Turk. At fifteen hands two inches[3] Amato was on the small side and described as wiry.[4]

Racing career

The Epsom trained Amato ridden by Jem Chapple won the 1838 Derby Stakes. According to contemporary accounts the start of Amato’s Derby was an unsatisfactory one. Before the flag was finally lowered there were three breaks away and when the signal to ‘go’ arrived two horses were left at the start whilst several others were slowly away.[5]

Epsom's undulating cambers suited Heathcote’s horse who led from the mile post coming home to win by a length from Ion, with Grey Momus three lengths third. At 33/1 Amato’s victory was unexpected and much celebrated by the team who helped him to victory.

Local notoriety

Amato who was bred at The Durdans in Epsom by Heathcote and trained by local trainer Ralph Sherwood was a popular winner and today stands a public house, the ‘Amato Inn’ named in honour of the Derby winner. In a tradition going back 170 years the publican tips the winner of the Derby and displays the name for the race goers on the morning of The Derby[6]

When Amato died in 1841 [note 1] his body was buried in the grounds of Durdans, a stone that is still visible marking the spot.

He was painted by John Frederick Herring, Snr.

Stud career

Amato appears to have had little success as a stallion

Notes
  1. At least one reference gives the death of Amato as January 1843
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References
  1. http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Velocipede.html information on Sire
  2. Epsom, Durdans, Amato and The Pump. Baily’s Magazine, (May 1911)
  3. The Sportsman Volumes 4-5, 1838
  4. Baily’s Magazine, (May 1911)
  5. Baily’s Magazine, (May 1911)
  6. http://www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk/Pubs.html#Amato The Amato Inn
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