Early Thoroughbred Breeding Patterns-Part 3

Later descendants of the Hartley Mares

Babraham Blank b c 1758 (Babraham - Sister to Blank, by Godolphin Arabian).
Bred by Sir John Dutton and later owned by Sir James Lowther, he started only once. In October of 1762 he placed 4th in a 200 guineas each sweepstakes at Newmarket won by Lord Northumberland's Boldface (br c 1758 Regulus). Described as standing nearly fifteen hands, he was strong, big-boned and free from any natural blemish. Inbred 2x2 to the Godolphin Arabian, he was purchased for a stallion by Sir Joseph Pennington and stood at Warter Hall, near Pocklington, Yorkshire. His fee varied from free (1769) to 20 guineas. In the stud he got a number of good runners, including Don Carlos (b c 1769) and Hazard (b c 1771) as well as the useful stallions Carbuncle (ch c 1772), sire of Jenny Mole (b f 1787), the 2nd dam of Dr. Syntax (br c 1811 Paynator), and *Bay Richmond (b c 1771). His daughter Babraham Blank Mare was the 2nd dam of Miss Muston (b f 1790 King Fergus), a matron in Family 9-a.

Liberty b c 1749 (Hazard - Sister to Blank, by Godolphin Arabian).

Liberty was bred James Lennox Dutton and later owned by Edmund Putt. He was half-brother to Babraham Blank (b c 1758 Babraham) and Merlin (b c 1748 Second). Racing from 1754 through 1759, he won Fifties at Stamford, Worcester, Oxford, Burford, Reading, Gloucester and Stockbridge, as well as the Annual City Plate at Chester. In the stud he got Liberty Mare, the 2nd dam of Mousetrap* (b c 1771 Warren's Careless), who proved a worthy stallion in Virginia and North Carolina. He became the sire of Huntsman, an extremely inbred individual who had a lasting influence through the strongest American family in the studbook. This is something that I will dive into much more in an upcoming segment.

Merlin b c 1748 (Second - Sister to Blank, by Godolphin's Arabian).

Bred by Mr Dutton and owned by Sir John Moore he sired the dam of Meteor (ch c 1783 Eclipse) and another mare that spawned the family of Petronel.

Slouch ch c 1747 (Cade - Amorett, by Bartlet's Childers).

Bred by Thomas Meredith he later ran for Sir John Moore without much success. Purchased by John Larkin he covered at Leaming Lane, Newmarket and Packenham Hall. He was said to be a horse of fine size, shape and strength, well marked and a master of 14 stone in the hunting field. Slouch was not exported. He sired Calliope (ch f 1763) who is the ancestress of Harkaway and Billet* among many.

Shakespeare ch c 1745 (Hobgoblin - Amorett by Bartlet's Childers).

Bred by Sir John Dutton, his dam, Amorett (ch f 1727), was owned by the Earl of Godolphin. Lord Godolphin traded her, along with her foal, Old England, to Sir John Dutton in 1741, in exchange for Lady Cow and her foal, Marksman. Shakespeare was later purchased by Thomas Meredith of Easby, near Richmond, Yorkshire. A half brother to Champion Sire Blank (b c 1740 Godolphin Arabian) and Janus (b c 1738 Godolphin Arabian), he stood 15 hands 3 inches and was said to be a very strong, large boned horse and master of any weight. He ran for four years.
He stood at a number of places including Croydon, Surrey, where his fee was 1 guinea, then at Samuel Rudd's, Swaffham Market, Norfolk, for 2 guineas. When he was fourteen he stood at Thomas Thompson's, in Beverley-Skinner, near Beck-End, Yorkshire, and commanded a fee of 3 guineas. He was said to be in good health and spirits at the time. He was last advertised in 1773.
In the stud he produced a number of useful daughters. Among them were an unnamed mare (f 1763), dam of Sweetbriar (ch c 1769); Titania (f 1760), taproot mare of Family 4-a, dam of Satellite (ch c 1774); December (ch f 1774), 4th dam of the St. Leger winner Tarrare (b c 1823); Stella* (br f 1764), the dam of Harris's Eclipse (b c 1771); and the unnamed mare who became the dam of Lady Northumberland* (f c1770)

Mentor br c 1784 (Justice - Mare, by Shakespeare).

Bred by Lord Grosvenor he won a King's Plate at Burford. He sired Wowski (bl f 1797) the dam of the Two Thousand Guineas and Derby Stakes winner Smolensko (bl c 1810 Sorcerer).

Granby* 1762 (Belsize Arabian* x Shock Mare by Shock x Miss Meredith)

Best known for siring Nettle who became the 2nd dam of Harris’ Eclipse, an American foundation sire for families A3 and A5.

Espersykes 1775(Matchem x Gower Stallion mare by Gower Stallion x Regulus Mare by Regulus x Hip Mare by Hip x Sachrissa)

Sired the mare Colombine, tap root of family 9-a that includes Maid of Masham and Nutwith.
Espersykes is also the sire of Milfield(see below).

Milfield 1780(Espersykes x Young Cade Mare by Young Cade x Starling Mare by Duggins Starling x Shock Mare by Shock x Hip Mare by Hip x Sacrissa)

Had one recorded foal, a mare that is the base of family 9-c. Descendants include Muley Muloch and Mumtaz Mahal.

Sweetbriar Chestnut 1769. (Syhon x Shakespeare Mare by Shakespeare x Miss Meredith by Cade x Amorett)

Bred by Richard, (1st) Earl Grosvenor. Ran between 1773 and 1775. Won several sweeps, a subscription purse and several matches at Newmarket at ages 4 and 5, and the 1775 Gold Cup at Newmarket in a walk-over, and retired unbeaten to Grosvenor's stud near Newmarket. He got Assassin (1779, Derby winner); Racer (1779); dam (1782) of Astarte (1788); Lively (1784); Crocus (1779); Hocks (1794); Silkworm (1783); Bramble (1777) and a Bramble (1786) from a different mare, along with his sibling Thorn (1783); Sweetmarjoram (1778); Sunflower (1784); Discord (1783) and brother Doubtful (1785), and others. Despite his relative popularity, seldom seen in pedigrees today yet still has ancestors through his daughers Flyer and Hare. Flyer was the the dam of Derby winners Daedalus and Rhadamanthus. Most importantly Flyer is the ancestress of Robert The Devil who left many productive offspring. Hare formed a crucial branch of family 27 and has many productive branches to this day.

Asparagus Ch. 1787. (Pot8os x Justice Mare by Justice x Marianne by Squirrel x Miss Meredith by Cade x Amorett)

Best known as the sire of the important sire Teddy The Grinder.

Boaster Half brother to Asparagus by Dungannon

Found only in the female line of American sire Judge R Grymes who appears in the female line of the successful American family of Sally Ward.

Driver 1795 (Egremont’s Driver x Dorimont Mare by Dorimont x Muse by Herod x Crab Mare by Shepard’s Crab x Miss Meredith by Cade x Amorett).

He produced one mare of mention. Driver Mare(1801) who became the dam of Bobadil(1809) who sired Bobadilla(Ascot Gold Cup) the famous matriarch of the famed Maggie B.B. family in America.

Early Thoroughbred Breeding Patterns-Part 2

Cade

Bred by Lord Godolphin, he was orphaned at ten days of age, and was said to have been raised on cow's milk. He was a full brother to Lath (b c 1732), the first son of the Godolphin Arabian. His racing career was respectable.

In the stud Cade was remarkably successful. He was Champion Sire in England in 1752, 1753, 1758, 1759 and 1760. Probably his most important offspring was Matchem (b c 1748), himself a Champion Sire and progenitor of the Matchem sire line. Other useful sons include Silvio (b c 1754) and his brother (b c c1755), Young Cade (b c 1747), Changeling (b c 1747) and Warren's Sportsman (b c 1753), the dam sire of Pot8os (ch c 1773).

His many valuable daughters include Cade Mare (gr f 1751), the dam of Mambrino (gr c 1768) and ancestress of such horses as Friar Marcus (b c 1912 Cicero) and Alysheba (b c 1984 Alydar) of Family 20. Another daughter, Hutton's Cade Mare was an ancestress of most of Family 25. Miss Cade (ch f 1750) was the grandam of Old England Mare (b f 1766) the taproot of Family 2-t. Sister to Merryman (b f 174) was the dam of Titania (f 1760) the taproot of Family 4-a. Miss Ramsden (b f 175) was the dam of the good racehorse and top sire Woodpecker (ch c 1773). Miss Roan (gr f 1753) was the dam of Sweetwilliam (ch c 1768), and the 3rd dam of Coriander (b c 1786). Miss Vernon (b f 1755) was the dam of Otho (b c 1760).

His influence was felt in America as well, through his daughter Kitty Fisher* (gr f c1756), a great American matriarch, who numbered the great racehorse Boston (ch c 1833) among her descendants. His son Wildair* (b c 1753) was so successful that he was sent back to England.

Cade died at Easby Abbey, North Yorkshire, in September of 1756.

Blank

Bred at Gog Magog near Babraham, Cambridgeshire, by Francis Leonard Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin, he was sold to Mr. Greville in 1746, then to Mr. Haydon, and eventually to Peregrine Bertie (1714-1778), 3rd Duke of Ancaster.

Described in Lord Godolphin's stud book [Early Records, 147] as a bay colt with no white markings, he was the sixth foal of his dam, Amorett, who was referred to as the "Little Hartley Mare" in the General Stud Book. He was full brother to Janus (b c 1738) and Old England [ex-Slugg] (b c 1741), and half brother to Shakespeare (ch c 1745 Hobgoblin).

Racing for Mr. Greville, he was defeated at Newmarket in April of 1746 by Mr. Panton's Sloe (bl c 1740 Crab) in a Sweepstakes for 100gs, half-forfeit, for 5 year olds carrying 8 stone over 4 miles. At Newmarket in October of 1746, racing for Mr. Haydon, he was defeated by Mr. Stamford's Moorcock (gr c 1740 Hutton's Blacklegs) for 50 guineas, carrying 9 stone 4 pounds over 4 miles. Still racing for Mr. Haydon, Blank beat Mr. Stamford's Cumberland (b c 1741 Fletcher's Arabian) at Newmarket in April of 1748, both carrying 9 stone over 3 miles for 30 guineas.

He entered the Ancaster stud at Grimsthorpe in Lincolnshire where, despite his failure on the turf, he was afterwards held in the highest esteem as a stallion. His sons Paymaster and Pacolet were successful stallions in England, whilst his son Centinel* and grandson Citizen* were both influential in the Carolinas. Although daughters such as Golden Grove, Horatia and Rutilia left their patrician hoof prints on the English stud book none exerted more influence than Rachel, dam of the mighty Highflyer.

Blank was Champion Sire in 1762, 1764 and 1770. He died at Grimsthorpe in 1770.

Notable Blank mares.

• Rachel (b f 1763), bred by the Duke of Ancaster, was unraced and mated with Spectator (b c 1749 Crab) as a three year old. The result was Mark Anthony (b c 1767), who won twenty of his twenty-eight starts with earnings of nearly 3000 guineas. In the stud he got the Derby winner Aimwell (b c 1782). However, it would be Rachel's fourth foal, Highflyer (b c 1774 King Herod), who would have a profound and enduring effect on bloodstock breeding. One of the four influential stallions of the latter half of the eighteenth century, along with his sire King Herod (b c 1758 Tartar), Matchem (b c 1748 Cade) and Eclipse (ch c 1764 Marske), Highflyer was Champion Sire thirteen times. Two of Rachel's other foals, Dunny (d c 1771 Brilliant) and Dorilas (b c 1778 Florizel) were also winners. Rachel died in the spring of 1781.
• Golden Grove (ch f 1760), bred by Thomas Panton, taproot mare of Family 4-l.
• Horatia (b f 1758), also called Favourite, was bred by Thomas Panton, and taproot mare of Family 6-b, 2nd dam of the Derby winner Young Eclipse (b c 1778 Eclipse) and 2nd dam of the first Derby winner *Diomed (ch c 1777 Florizel). She was shot in 1783.
• Rutilia (b f 1769), bred by the Duke of Ancaster, sister to Rachel, above, taproot mare of Family 13-a.
• Blank Mare (b f 1761c), bred by Mr. St. Leger Douglas, dam of Goldfinder (b c 1764 Snap), who sired the St. Leger winner Serina (b f.1778). Blank Mare was also the 2nd dam of the Oaks winner Ceres (b f 1779 Sweetwilliam).
• Blank Mare (ch f 1759), bred by Mr. Holme, was the dam of Young Marske (b c 1771 Marske) and Juniper (b c 1767 Snip). Juniper won the Doncaster Cup twice.
• Countess (gr f 1760), bred by Lord A. Bertie, owned by the Duke of Bolton, was the dam of Delpini (gr c 1781 Highflyer). She was also the 2nd dam of the brothers Stamford (br c 1794 Sir Peter Teazle), Archduke (br c 1796 Sir Peter Teazle) and Paris (br c 1803 Sir Peter Teazle). Stamford won the Doncaster Cup twice and both Archduke and Paris won the Derby stakes.
• Blank Mare, in HRH the Duke of Cumberland's stud, 2nd dam of the St. Leger winner Tartar (ch c 1789 Florizel).

Other influential horses from the Hartley Mares

Babraham

Bay 1738. Bred by the Francis, (2nd) Earl of Godolphin. Grew to 16 hands, "a fine horse of great strength." In 1744 he was sold to the (3rd) Duke of Beaufort. Generally listed among the Godolphin Arabian's top sons, he was put to stud while racing, beginning in 1747. For the next two years he both ran and covered mares, and winning plate races at Reading, Guildford, Ascot, Oxford, Lambourn and Burford. He got the good race horses Aimwell (1750) and Cardinal Puff (1760), and several other sons, some of whom were exported to the U.S. But his fillies were best, both as racehorses and broodmares: Molly Long Legs was a top race mare. He also sired Betty Careless (dam of Rufus, Cadmus, Aeolus); Bay Babraham (1760, dam of the good racehorse Johnny (1769)), and many unnamed daughters (1756 mare in Family 5; mare in Family 27; taproot mare of Family 46; mare in Family 55), who produced good racehorses and important sons and daughters that bred on. In the early 1750s he was standing at stud at Mickleham in Surrey.

Mogul

b c 1735. Bred by Lord Godolphin he was a bay colt with a white near hind heel. Sold to the Duke of Bolton in 1735 he was described as a strong horse standing more than "fifteen Hands and a half high". He covered at Bolton Hall near Middleham for a fee of three guineas. He was sold on to Peter Storey in Ireland in 1750 and covered at the Widow Place's Livery Stables in Dublin for a fee of two guineas. He sired Jolly Roger* (ch c 1743) and Whistlejacket (ch c 1749). Influential daughters can be found on family 24(Gohanna, The Baron), Family 9(Sister To Mogul Mare-Jupiter, Mercury)

Gower Stallion

Bay 1740. Bred by Francis, (2nd) Earl of Godolphin. Sold "for a stallion" to the second Baron Gower (later Earl Gower and Viscount Trentham) of Yorkshire and Staffordshire. There doesn't appear to be any record of this horse racing, but he was an important sire in the 1740s, '50s and '60s standing at the Gower stud. He sired the racehorse and later sire, (Gower) Sweepstakes and his sister Clio, dam of Conqueror (by Bajazet); Mealey Eyes (1759); Gower, a racehorse who ran against Eclipse; Louisa (1747), a producer; Princess Amelia (1745), dam of Meleanger; the unnamed dam of Little Askham and Elconora; Spectre (1756), and others. He also sired an unnamed mare (1757 from Regulus) who was dam of Lucy (1771), Petrarch (1778), Espersykes (1775, an important stallion), and a mare (also 1757 from Grey Childers) important in Family 10.

Old England

Bay 1741. Bred by Francis, (2nd) Earl of Godolphin, traded to Sir John Dutton after weaning for a mare (Lady Cow) and her foal. Ran as Slugg, initially, then, apparently after purchase by Sir Edward O'Brien of Ireland, as Old England. He ran in the late 1740s and early '50s; at the Curragh, Kildare, Ireland, he was beaten by Othello. Sired a good racehorse, Amaranthus (1766), Brutus (in Ireland), and several producing daughters, one of whom (1766) who heads her own branch of Family 2 and was ancestress to a number of good racehorses, such as Teddington, Bribery and Imperatrix.

Janus

Bay 1738. Bred by Francis, (2nd) Earl of Godolphin, given by him to Sir William Middleton in 1748. Sired a handful of foals listed in the GSB (1749-1758), his unnamed daughter from Spinster (1743) by Crab being important in Family 4 (Second dam of Telemachus (1770, by Herod) and Expectation (1779, by Herod)), and son Coomb (1749) a racehorse. His most influential offspring does not appear in the GSB, a colt who ran under the name of Stiff Dick and/or Little Janus and was exported to the U.S., there racing and standing under the name Janus*. There will be discussion about Janus* in depth later in this article. Janus* was monumental in early American stock and is considered by many to be the father of the American Quarter Horse.

Marlborough

Bred by the Earl of Godolphin he won a sweepstakes at Newmarket in his only start. He was later owned by William Hearsy, then the Duke of Marlborough and in Ireland by Edward Sims & John Heney at Mullingar. He sired the second dam of Shark* (br c 1771) and Harpur's Herod (ch c 1781 King Herod).

Tortoise

He only had one significant offspring of note. Pheobe, 1755, produced a son named Ancaster, by Blank. He is significant on a branch of family 21 that produced Tranby, Longbow, and Sweemeat. This is a very significant family in the pedigrees of influencial QH families and founders, which I will get to in the future.


To be continued.........

Early Thoroughbred Breeding Patterns-Part 1

The ignored and unheralded family of Bald Galloway and their influence on the breed in England and America.

Bald Galloway and his descendants

Many students of pedigree know of the champion sire Bald Galloway. Most who acknowledge him very rarely dig into the further reaches of his influence and immediate family. To most, he is famous as broodmare sire of the great Regulus(who in turn, became the broodmare sire of Eclipse). Bald Galloway was also the leading sire in 1725.

When one looks at the scope of this blood with more detail you will find that he had a full sister named Points.

Both are by St. Victor’s Barb and from the mare Grey Whynot(by Whynot). Why is this important? Most are not aware that this family extended into some of the best racers and progenitors of their time. This influence is mind boggling when one finds the connection.

For some glorious reason, Bald Galloway and his family where often crossed with the blood of The Godolphin Barb and it was a magic combination.

This crossed produced not only Regulus but also Cade(Godolphin Barb x Roxana by Bald Galloway) and his full brother Lath.

· Bald Galloway Mare

o Janus*, Childers*

· Bald Galloway Mare-family 7

o Meteor

· Bald Galloway Mare-family 37

o Oscar*

· Grey Robinson-family 11

o Regulus, Sister to Regulus

· Old Lady-Family 17

· Roxana-Family 6

o Cade, Lath, Roundhead

· Silverlocks-Family 6

· Sister to Roxana-Family 6

· Cartouche

· Son of Bald Galloway

· Foxhunter

Points and her descendants

The two most important descendants of Points where Amorett and Sachrissa. They were also known as the Little and Large Hartley mares.

Amorett(Little Hartley Mare) was by Bartlett’s Childers and produced 9 foals.

· Sister To Tortoise M 1736 Godolpin Whitefoot

· Tortoise H 1737 Godolphin Whitefoot

· Janus H 1738 Godolphin Barb

· Sister To Blank M 1739 Godolphin Barb

· Blank H 1740 Godolphin Barb

· Old England H 1741 Godolphin Barb

· Shakespeare H 1745 Hobgoblin

· Slouch H 1747 Cade

· Miss Meredith M 1751 Cade

Sachrissa(Large Hartley Mare) was by Hartley’s Blind Horse and Produced 8 foals.

· Hip Mare M 1733 Hip

· Mogul H 1735 Godolphin Barb

· Brother1to Mogul H 1736 Godolphin Barb

· Brother2to Mogul H 1737 Godolphin Barb

· Babraham H 1738 Godolphin Barb

· Marlborough H 1745 Godolphin Barb

· Selima M 1746 Hobgoblin

Leading Sires in England 1751-1770

· R Regulus 1754-1757, 1761, 1763, 1765-1766 (8x)

· C Cade 1752-1753, 1758-1760 (5x)

· B Blank 1762, 1764, 1770(3x)

Of the 19 years of this period 16 were represented by 3 in this group. It is an amazing achievement and it’s particularly notable because these were the formative years of the Thoroughbred’s development.

Regulus

Bred by Lord Chedworth, and later owned by Mr. Martindale, he was considered superior to any in his day, winning eight Royal Plates as a six-year old. He ran his first race under the name of Sweetlips. Never defeated on the turf he was thought to be superior to any other horse of his time.

While his sons Adolphus (ro c 1750), Warren's Careless (ch c 1751), Doge (ch c 7162), Dragon (b c 1757), Morwick Ball (ch c 1762), South (b c 1750), Star (br c 1759) and Turk (b c 1763) all earned their keep in England, his sons Fearnought* (b c 1755), Vampire* (b c 1757) and Silvereye* (br c 1750) made significant contributions to the American turf.

However, it was his daughters who provided his legacy. Spilletta (b f 1749) became the dam of Eclipse (ch c 1764 Marske) and his sister Proserpine (b f 1766 Marske), the dam of Luna (ch f 1779 King Herod), taproot mare of Family 12-g. Sister to Miss Belsea (b f 1749) is the taproot mare of Family 3-a. Regulus Mare (br f1757) is the taproot of Family 8-a, A-La-Grecque (ch f 1763) taproot mare of Family 23-a, Regulus Mare (gr f 1753) taproot of Family 15-d and Regulus Mare (f) taproot of Family 63.

Miss Cleveland is the 2nd dam of Derby winner and Champion Sire Sir Peter Teazle (br c 1784 Highflyer) and the 3rd dam of the Derby winner Tyrant (b c 1799 Pot8os) and the Oaks winner Bellissima (b f 1795 Phoenomenon). Ferret's Dam (f 1760c) is the grandam of Tipple Cyder (ch f 1788 King Fergus), taproot of Family 8-k. Regulus Mare (b f 1773) was the dam of the good stallion Tandem (b c 1773 Syphon) and his equally good sister (b f 1771). Sister to Tandem was the dam of Maid of all Work (b f 1786 Highflyer), taproot of Family 17-a, of St. Leger winner Cowslip (b f 1782 Highflyer) and grandam of the St. Leger winner Sancho (b c 1801 Don Quixote). Sister to South (f 1751) was the dam of Rutilia (b f 1769 Blank), taproot of Family 13-a, and the 2nd dam of Champion Sire Highflyer (b c 1774 King Herod).

Miss Belsea was the 3rd dam of the Derby winner Skyscraper (b c 1786 Highflyer) and ancestress of a good portion of Family 3. Portia (b f 1758) was almost entirely responsible for the success of Spot Mare (f 174-) as the taproot of Family 8-b, while her sister Vixen (b f 1753) took care of the rest. Sister to Vampire (f 1756) helped to establish Family 4-o as well as being the 3rd dam of the Derby winner Sir Harry* (br c 1795 Sir Peter Teazle). Regulus Mare (ch f 1763c) was the 2nd dam of St. Leger winner Quiz (ch c 1798 Buzzard), the 4th dam of the St. Leger winner Barefoot* (ch c 1820 Tramp), and contributed to Family 5-g and Family 5-h. Flora (b f 1749) helped to establish Family 22, Vanessa (br f 1751) Family 29, Joan (ro f 1757) Family 32 and Daphne (b f 1756) Family 34. Riot (b f 1753) contributed to Family 31, Miss Wilkinson (ch f 1747) and her sister Sappho (b f 1749) to Family 43 and Regulus Mare (f) to Family 58.

Queen Elizabeth (b f 1763) was the dam of St. Leger winner Bourbon (b c 1774 Le Sang). Regulus Mare was the 2nd dam of the Derby winner Saltram (br c 1780 Eclipse) and his sister, the Oaks winner Annette (b f 1784). Miss Middleton (b f 175-) was the 3rd dam of the Oaks winner Bridget (b f 1776 King Herod). Regulus Mare (f 1752c) was the 3rd dam of the Oaks winner Ceres (b f 1779 Sweetwilliam) and 4th dam of the Derby winners Rhadamanthus (b c 1787 Justice) and Daedalus (b c 1791 Justice).

In the stud he would become a "favourite and very valuable Stallion in the North of Yorkshire, and was sire of an uncommon number of Racers, Stallions, and Brood-Mares, notwithstanding, it has been asserted that Mr. Martindale cleared by him, as a Stallion, little more than 1000gs". He covered at 10gs. Regulus was a Champion Sire eight times from 1754 to 1766. He died in Yorkshire at Low Garterly, Catterick, in 1765.

The Sibling Factor

by Andrea Hoogendoorn©

Past Perspectives (Part 1)

When I first stumbled upon Thoroughbred pedigrees, my obsession with past champions clued me in on some very interesting patterns. I noticed a very high amount of sibling crosses. Out of curiosity, I looked even further back, to the beginnings of the breed to see if this was a constant pattern. There it was again. For anyone exploring pedigrees, I would highly advise that one go back to the beginning (I'm not kidding) and fast-forward. This can take years, but it is incredibly fascinating to learn. It is like a history lesson, and like anything else in life, you learn the present and can somewhat predict the future by studying the past.

Since there are a lot of broken and unknown lines in early pedigrees, you cannot attain a whole picture, however, interestingly enough, there were still patterns that you could see and identify with. There were, in my opinion, two major sibling factors early in the breed that shaped and molded the Thoroughbred as we know it.

The first is probably the most recognized (for very good reason) and heralded. This, of course, is the wonderful Spanker mare and her descendants. These led to the dramatic crosses of the full brothers Flying Childers (the first Superhorse) and Bartlett's Childers. I am sure that the subject of this family will be covered in depth by someone here (however, if not, I would be glad to fill in), but my subject will be of the 'other' major sibling factor that I feel has never gotten the recognition it deserves. This is the family and descendants of the famous broodmare sire Bald Galloway and his full sister, Points.

The Godolphin Arabian is a name that even novices can recognize. His success as a founder and breed-shaper are well known. However, most of his successful get involved the above mentioned family. With either descendants of Points involving the famous Hartley mares, or from horses with Bald Galloway daughters, his best and most influential offspring came about.

Here is a list of The Godolphin Arabian's offspring. Note the bold face involves horses with either Bald Galloway or descendants from his full-sister Points.

	Babraham / ex Hip Mare
	Bajazet / ex Whitefoot Mare
	Blank / ex Little Hartley Mare
	Brother to Whitenose / ex Sister to Blaze
	Buff Coat / ex Silverlocks (by Bald Galloway)
	Cade / ex Roxanna (by Bald Galloway)
	Coalition Colt / ex ?
	Cripple / ex Blossom
	Cygnet / ex Blossom
	Daphne / ex Fox Mare
	Dismal / ex Alcock Arabian Mare
	Dr. of Grey Robinson / ex Grey Robinson (by Bald Galloway)
	Feather /ex ?
	Goldolphin Arabian Mare 1735 / ex ?
	Godolphin Arabian Mare 1752 / ex Hobgoblin Mare
	Godolphin Arabian Mare 1745 / ex Childers Mare
	Godolphin Arabian Mare 1740 / ex ?
	Godolphin Arabian Mare 1739 / ex Little Hartley Mare
	Godolphin Arabian Mare 1738 / ex Silverlocks (by Bald Galloway)
	Gower Stallion / ex Whitefoot Mare
	Janus / ex Little Hartley Mare
	Lath / ex Roxana (by Bald Galloway)
	Lofty / ex Spinster
	Matchless / ex Y Cartouch Mare (by Young Cartouch, a son ofBald Galloway)
	Marlborough / ex Large Hartley Mare
	Miss Windsor / ex Y Belgrade Mare
	Mogul / ex Large Hartley Mare
	Old England / ex Little Harley Mare
	Omar / ex Lath Mare
	Regulus / Grey Robinson (by Bald Galloway)
	Selima / ex Large Hartley Mare
	Sophia / ex Hobgoblin Mare
	Whitenose / ex Sister To Blaze
	Young Whiteneck / ex Old Whiteneck

From the information on my database, I found 34 influential recorded progeny of the Godolpin Arabian. Amazingly 17 of these are crossed with a strain of either Bald Galloway or Points fairly close up in the pedigrees, thus making this base of 17 a huge source of closely related progenitors. I am sure I might be missing some offspring of the Godolphin Arabian for comparison, however, even if I am missing, say, 10 other horses making the total 44, the 17 out of even this number is still amazing.

The actual number of offspring of The Godolphin Arabian, I believe, exceeds 100 or so horses, however, many of these are horses who never made an impact on the breed, etc.. My main concentration here are of horses that DID continue on into the breed to help shape and mold it in the early stages of its development. This article is NOT DIRECTLY about The Godolpin Arabian. My main focus here is about the association he has with the aforementioned strain of Bald Galloway and his full sister Points. Many of these horses are his BEST progeny and when combined in later pedigrees seemed to drastically upgrade the breed.

The next step in it's evolution is the "breeding" back to these strains, and the results are simply amazing to say the least.

Firstly, it is well-known that Regulus was a great broodmare sire in his era (the dam's sire of Eclipse for starters), as were Cade and Blank. Following early English classic winners you see this phenomenon, however, many pedigree historians seemed to ignore this mix.. Perhaps they were looking at just four generation pedigrees and didn't realize the complexities of these particular closely bred horses? Maybe all they were seeing was 3x3 or 4x4 to the Godolphin Arabian, instead of considering Regulus, Blank, and Cade as genetic equivalents? There were other notable sibling crosses in many of these classic winning pedigrees, to be sure, however, one cannot ignore the importance of the mix I am writing about, which, historically seems to have taken place.

I will hope to enlighten you all on this interesting phenomenon in the development of the Thoroughbred racehorse.

To clarify, one should compare the pedigrees of Regulus, Cade, and Blank.

There is a very dynamic relationship between Cade and Blank, not just involving Points and Bald Galloway, but Betty Leedes and her half sister Chanter's Sister. These two are also out of the aformentioned Spanker Mare.

Combinations of Blank and Cade can be found in heavy concentration amongst early classic winnners. Is it any wonder?

Blank and Regulus can also be found in numerous classic winning horses, and of course Regulus with Cade is quite common since they are products of the same cross. The interesting thing is that Blank seems to be a common factor with these two, especially if all three are combined. It was a very dynamic mix to say the least!!

I will just concentrate on classic winning products of this mix, noting the combination of these particular three, however, Babraham(a notable broodmare sire in his day), Mogul, Old England, Janus (huge influence on early American strains!), and Lath (full brother to Cade) often mix up along with them quite nicely. I will limit it to one race; The English Derby. If I included The Oaks and the St. Leger, well, this would be one long-winded piece for sure. I think from a historical perspective, the Derby should suit the purpose just fine for now.

	Diomed . Winner of the first English Derby in 1780. He has the rare son of Bald Galloway (Cartouch) in his sire's damline and his second dam is by Blank. Therefore he is 5x6 to Bald Galloway/Points.
	Young Eclipse 1781. He is 3x3 to Regulus/Blank
	Assassin 1782. He is 4x3 to Cade and Regulus, however it is his sire, Sweetbriar, that adds the Points element to the max. Sweetbriar's dam is inbred to the Little Hartley Mare 2x2. Enough said.
	Serjeant 1784. Has Regulus/Blank 3x3.
	Aimwell 1785. He is 3x4x3 to Blank, Regulus, and The Gower Stallion (a 3/4 sibling to Blank). I must note that this makes him 4x6 to the Little Hartley Mare as well.
	Noble 1786. He is inbred to Blank 3x3 with a line of Regulus as the second dam sire of his sire, Highflyer.
	Sir Peter 1787. Inbred to Regulus 4x3 and gets a line of Blank since he is the dam's sire of his sire.
	Skyscraper 1789. Similar to Sir Peter (a son of Highflyer-adding Blank) except he is actually inbred to Regulus 4x4x4.
	Rhadamanthus 1790. From an intensely inbred mare by Sweetbriar. Remember him? His dam is inbred to the Little Harley Mare 2x2. The third dam of this Derby winner is by Blank out of a Cade mare. Where is Regulus? He is supplied by his sire Justice right on his damline!
	Eager 1791. Most of this comes from his dam who is inbred to Cade 2x3 and is out of the aforementioned dam of Sweetbriar (2x2 to the Little Hartley Mare). His sire, Florizel, carries Cartouch, the much needed son of Bald Galloway.
	Daedalus 1794. Full brother to Rhadamanthus.
	Spread Eagle 1795. Linebred to Regulus 4x5x4 and Mogul/Blank (3/4 siblings) 4x4.
	Didelot 1796. Has Cade/Blank/ Regulus/Regulus, 4x4x5x4
	Fidget Colt 1797. His sire, Fidget, can boast his second dam as being the full sister to Sweetbriar. He has 3 lines of Cade. His damsire is is from a mare that is a Blank/Regulus cross, his third dam is by Babraham and he traces to another mare by Bald Galloway. Very interesting pedigree in that he has 3 lines of the Little Hartley Mare and one of her 1/2 sister the Large Hartley Mare w/ Bald Galloway splattered all over the pedigree. First winner from the Giantess clan.
	Sir Harry 1798. Has Blank/Regulus/Cade/Regulus, 4x4x4x4
	Archduke 1799. Inbred to both Blank (4x3) and Regulus (4x4)
	Champion 1800. Inbred to Regulus 4x5x4 with Cade and Blank 4x4 as well.
	Eleanor (f) 1801. First filly to win the Derby. Her sire has 3 lines of Regulus. She is inbred to Matchem, supplying the Cade strain twice, and her dam, the ever famous producer Young Giantess (daughter of Giantess), is 4x3 to closely related Blank and Babraham.
	Ditto 1803. Regulus is splattered 5 times in his pedigree with the sole line of Blank coming through his grandsire, Highflyer.
	Hannibal 1804. He is the first winner with a female representative in his pedigree. His sire is a maternal grandson of the "daughter of Grey Robinson," the full sister to Regulus. His pedigree sports 4 additional lines of Regulus, one of Cade and the influence of a line of Mogul through his damsire, Mercury.
	Cardinal Beaufort 1805.The first winner by Gohanna (a very influential sire), who is inbred to half sisters Little Hartley Mare and Large Hartley Mare, through Mogul and Blank. He has Regulus splattered all over his pedigree and actually traces to his full-sister, daughter of Grey Robinson, in female line. His dam's sire is from a Cade mare as well.
	Paris 1806. Inbred to Blank 4x3 and Regulus 5x4x4
	Election 1807. Regulus/Mogul/Blank/Cade/Cartouch, 5x5x4x4x5.
	Pan 1808. Heavily linebred to Regulus, 5x5x6x5x4x5, with Blank/Cade through his sire 4x5.
	Waxy Pope 1809. A son of the ever-influential mare, Prunella, who is inbred to Blank 3x3, he has a 5x5 cross of Regulus with line of Cade in the same remove through his sire.
	Whalebone 1810. Out of a daughter of the aforementioned Prunella (3x3 Blank), he also has Cade and Regulus 2 times as well as a strain of Matchless.
	Phantom 1811. Linebred to Regulus and Blank, with 2 lines of Cade and one of Babraham through his dam, Julia, a daughter of Y. Giantess, therefore, another member of the Giantess tribe.
	Octavius 1812. Once again, another just splattered with Regulus, ironically, the first without any lines of Cade and also the first with Janus (mostly found in American pedigrees). The line of Janus' full brother Blank doesn't hurt.
	Smolensko 1813. A son of Sorcerer, who is a son of Y. Giantess and out of a daughter of Mentor, who is another son of the inbred Shakespeare Mare. He is also heavily linebred to Regulus and Cade. Not Surprising.
	Blucher 1814. Another linebred to Cade and Regulus, his dam has The Gower Stallion and Blank.
	Whisker 1815. A full brother to Whalebone.

By now the build up of these lines are getting further back in pedigrees, and new patterns are forming, particularly the Herod/Eclipse, Eclipse/Herod cross. That is another topic that will be discussed for sure!

The interesting thing is that the patterns of the Thoroughbred don't change! Not all are exactly the same, but they are quite similar. It keeps going and going. One will build and then another takes over. Literally! It's not just sirelines, but clusters of similarly bred horses building up in pedigrees that seems to have propelled the breed.

Notice that with all of the Regulus/Cade build up, there rarely is not at least one line of the Hartley Mares (through either Blank, Babraham, or Mogul) somewhere in the pedigree? Why this female line (family #15) died out from its dominance is a mystery. One can only guess, however, my take is not so negative. It played it's part, no doubt, and perhaps it's strength lies in the fact that because so many sons of this clan previaled as broodmare sires that their influence lies with other families and not it's own. Mogul is only found on the dam lines of families 9 and 24, however, these are the lines of Camel, Dark Ronald, Idle Fancy, etc.. Blank is found in numerous family lines. Babraham is found on the strongest branch of the #6 family through Giantess.

If you want to see something intense, check out the 5th dam of Maid of Masham (Columbine). The Gower Stallion is right on the dam line of Queen Mary (family #10). Ironically a link lives through a stallion called Hornsea. Not a very popular name, right? Well, he happens to be the sire of the third dam of the great St. Simon, and the dam of the great mare Black Duchess (ancestress of Blandford) is inbred to him 5x3! How many horses have these breed-shaping giants splattered all over their pedigrees?

Copyright Andrea Hoogendoorn 2001.