Lath (horse)

Lath (foaled 1732) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. He won at least four races, including a 1000-guinea sweepstakes at Newmarket and a match race against Squirt. After retiring from racing he became a stallion and produced a number of high-class runners and also sired the grand-dam of St. Leger winner Hollandoise.

Lath
Lath painted by James Seymour
Sire	Godolphin Arabian
Dam	Roxana
Damsire	Bald Galloway
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1732
Country	Great Britain
Colour	Bay
Breeder	2nd Earl of Godolphin
Owner	2nd Earl of Godolphin John Turner 3rd Duke of Devonshire
Major wins
Great Stakes (1737) Match against Little Partner (1737) Match against Squirt (1738)

Background

Lath was a bay colt bred by Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin, and foaled in 1732.[1] His dam was Roxana, a daughter of Bald Galloway. In 1731 she was intended to be covered by Hobgoblin, but he refused her, so she was sent to the Godolphin Arabian, who at the time was acting as a teaser stallion to Hobgoblin. The mating produced Lath, who was the Godolphin Arabian's first foal. Roxana later foaled Roundhead (by Flying Childers) and Cade (also by Godolphin Arabian).[2] After Lath's success on the racetrack, the Godolphin Arabian went on to become a top stallion and was champion sire in 1738, 1745 and 1747. He sired Cade, Regulus and Blank, who also went on to become champion sires.[3]

Racing career

On 23 April 1737, he won a sweepstakes of 1000 guineas at Newmarket, beating the Earl of Portmore's Squirt and Duke of Devonshire's John Trott along with seven others. Later in the year, he beat Little Partner over four miles for 200 guineas. In October 1738, he beat Squirt, also over four miles, for 300 guineas. He also won a race for £50 at Marlborough. He was described as "one of the best horses that appeared at Newmarket since the time of Childers."[2]

Summary of known races

Date	Race name	Dist (miles)	Course	Prize	Runners	Place	Runner-up
23 April 1737	Great Stakes	4	Newmarket	1000 guineas	10	1	Squirt
26 October 1737	Match race	4	Newmarket	200 guineas	2	1	Mr Vane's Little Partner
October 1738	Match race	4	Newmarket	200 guineas	2	1	Squirt
October 1738	not known	not known	Marlborough	50 guineas	not known	1	not known

[4]

Stud career

After retiring from racing Lath was sold to John Turner and later William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire. The most notable of Lath's progeny were:

• Red Cap (1744) – a chestnut stallion who won a race at Ludlow and one at Newmarket.[2]
• Miss (1754) – a chestnut mare who foaled the dam of Great Subscription Purse winner Chatsworth.[5]
• Ancaster Crazy – a chestnut mare who foaled Virago, the winner of many races and dam of St.Leger winner Hollandoise.[2][5]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Lath, bay stallion, 1732[5]

Sire Godolphin Arabian	(unknown)	(unknown)	(unknown)
			(unknown)
		(unknown)	(unknown)
			(unknown)
	(unknown)	(unknown)	(unknown)
			(unknown)
		(unknown)	(unknown)
			(unknown)
Dam Roxana (GB) 1718	Bald Galloway	St. Victor's Barb	(unknown)
			(unknown)
		Grey Whynot	Whynot
			Royal mare
	Akaster Turk mare	Akaster Turk	(unknown)
			(unknown)
		Sister to Leedes	Leedes Arabian
			Spanker mare

References

1. The General Stud Book. J. S. Skinner, Baltimore. 1834. Retrieved 2013-05-02.
2. Pick, William; Johnson, R. (1803). The Turf Register (Volume I). A. Bartholoman, High-Ousegate.
3. "Godolphin Arabian". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
4. Whyte, James Christie (1840). History of the British Turf, from the earliest period to the present day, Volume I. London: H. Colburn. p. 451. OL 6544990M.
5. "Lath". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2013-05-01.