Gimcrack
Gimcrack (1760 – after 1777) was an English thoroughbred racehorse.
| Gimcrack | |
|---|---|
 Gimcrack on Newmarket Heath, with a trainer, a jockey and a stable lad. (George Stubbs, 1765 | |
| Sire | Cripple |
| Grandsire | Godolphin Arabian |
| Dam | Miss Elliott |
| Damsire | Grisewood's Partner |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1760 |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Colour | Grey |
| Breeder | Gideon Elliot |
| Owner | Richard Grosvenor, 1st Earl Grosvenor |
| Record | 36: 27-?-? |
Background
Gimcrack was a small grey horse at 14.2 hands sired by Cripple, a son of the Godolphin Arabian, his dam Miss Elliot was by (Grisewood's) Partner.
Racing career
Despite his small stature, Gimcrack was widely successful, winning 27 of his 36 races in a turf career spanning 7 seasons. Gimcrack won his last race in 1771, at age eleven, and he retired to the Grosvenor stud.
Stud record
Gimcrack sired the handy grey horse, Grey Robin who defeated Pot-8-os.[1] His bloodline was more notable though in US horse racing than in Britain, via his son Medley.
After his death he was buried at Haughton Hall in Shifnal, Shropshire. A brick and stone pillar marks his grave to the west of the old walled garden.
On 12/8/20 a group of 5 brave souls named Charlotte, Andrew, Sally, Phillippa, & Colin went on a pilgrimage to pay respect to this fine champion.
Legacy
Gimcrack is best known from the paintings of George Stubbs.
The Gimcrack Club, in York was founded in 1766 in his honour, and the Gimcrack Stakes, also at York, are therefore also named after the horse.[1]
References
- Ahnert, Rainer L. (editor in chief), “Thoroughbred Breeding of the World”, Pozdun Publishing, Germany, 1970
External links
- Gimcrack with John Pratt up on Newmarket Heath at the Fitwilliam Museum
- Thoroughbred Heritage - Portraits - Gimcrack