Springfield (horse)
Springfield (1873–1898) was a successful English Thoroughbred racehorse that won 14 consecutive races and was a useful sire of the late 19th century. He was the grandsire of two English Triple Crown winners: Galtee More, who was exported to Russia, and later Germany and Rock Sand, who was exported to the U.S. and in turn was the grandsire of Man o' War, widely considered one of the greatest racehorses of all time.
| Springfield | |
|---|---|
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| Sire | St. Albans |
| Grandsire | Stockwell |
| Dam | Viridis |
| Damsire | Marsyas |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1873 |
| Country | England |
| Colour | Bay |
| Owner | Mr J.H. Houldsworth |
| Trainer | James Ryan |
| Record | 19: 17 wins, 2 seconds |
| Earnings | £8,920 |
| Major wins | |
| 1875 Gimcrack Stakes 1876, 1877 July Cup 1877 Queen's Stand Plate 1877 Champion Stakes | |
| Last updated on 25 September 2011 | |
He was a bay colt foaled in 1873 at Bushy Park Paddocks at Hampton Court. Springfield was sired by the St. Leger Stakes winner St. Albans, his dam was Queen Victoria’s Viridis by Marsyas (who won the July Cup, and later sired The Derby winner George Frederick). He was sold as a yearling and purchased by J.H. Houldsworth for 320 guineas. Springfield was line-bred to Sultan in the fourth and fifth generation of his pedigree (5m x 4f).[1]
Racing record
At two years
Springfield won his first start, the Prince of Wales's Plate at York and the following day won the six furlong Gimcrack Stakes. In October he had a victory in the four furlong Two Year Old Stakes at Newmarket. Following this Springfield then finished second in the Criterion Stakes defeated by a head from Clanronald and another second in the Dewhurst Stakes to the future Epsom Derby winner Kisber, These were the only times that he was defeated during his racing career,[2]
At three years
Springfield was undefeated as a three-year-old, winning nine races, two of which were walk-overs. The wins included the July Cup, Goodwood's Bagnor Stakes, and the Bradgate Stakes at Doncaster. He won twice at Royal Ascot, taking the Fern Hill Stakes and the New Biennial Stakes.
At four years
In 1877 he was again undefeated in his five starts, which included victories in the Queen's Stand Plate, the July Cup. His final race was the 1¼ mile Champion Stakes in which he defeated The Derby winner Silvio.[3]
Springfield finished his racing career with 19 starts, 17 wins and 2 seconds for earnings of £8,920.
Stud record
Springfield stood at Bushey Paddocks at Hampton Court for an initial fee of 100 guineas, later rising to 200 guineas. After the Royal Stud was dispersed Springfield was transferred to Houldsworth's Newmarket stud.
His progeny included:
- Agave, dam of Galeottia (dam of Gay Laura, who produced Gay Crusader, winner of the English Triple Crown.
- Briar Root, won 1,000 Guineas Stakes, second dam of Prunus (German St. Leger, sire in Germany)
- Morganette, a roarer, dam of Galtee More (winner of the Triple Crown), Ard Patrick (Epsom Derby, the Princess of Wales's Stakes and Eclipse Stakes) and Blairfinde (Irish Derby)[4]
- Pastorella (1892), dam of the unbeaten U.S. galloper Colin
- Ponza, winner of six races, dam of Positano, sire in Australia.
- Sainfoin, won Epsom Derby Stakes, sire of Triple Crown winner, Rock Sand
- Sierra, dam of Sundridge (won July Cup three times, the King's Stand Stakes three times, the Teddington Plate, twice, and a leading sire)
- Speedwell, won Middle Park Stakes
- Sunshower, dam of Spartivento (Gran Premio di Milano winner)
He died on 31 March 1898, age 25.
References
- Morris, Simon; Tesio Power 2000 - Stallions of the World, Syntax Software
- Erigero, Patricia. "Springfield". Thoroughbred Heritage. Thoroughbred Heritage. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- "Springfield". Pferdestammdaten. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- Leicester, Sir Charles (1974). Bloodstock Breeding. London: J.A. Allen & Co. p. 198. ISBN 0-85131-129-6.