Squirt (horse)

Squirt
SireBartlett's Childers
GrandsireDarley Arabian
DamSister to Old Country Wench[1]
DamsireSnake
SexStallion
Foaled1732
CountryGreat Britain
ColourChestnut
BreederWilliam Metcalfe
OwnerCharles Colyear, 2nd Earl of Portmore
Last updated on 27 May 2016

Squirt (1732 – ?) was a Thoroughbred racehorse, best known as the grandsire of Eclipse, founder of the breed's dominant sire line.[2] He lived at a time when the Thoroughbred breed was in its infancy, before even the foundation of the Jockey Club (in 1750) and General Stud Book (in 1791). Thus information is incomplete.

Breeding

Squirt was bred by William Metcalfe of Beverley, Yorkshire.[3] His sire was Bartlett's Childers, a full brother to Flying Childers, considered the greatest race horse of his time. Bartlett's Childers, also known as Bleeding Childers because he bled from the nose on exertion, never raced but did become a major sire.[4] Squirt's dam, Sister to Old Country Wench, had earlier produced Grey Robinson, who in turn produced the undefeated Regulus.

Racing career

During his racing career, Squirt was owned by Charles Colyear, (2nd) Earl of Portmore. He began racing at five, as was customary at the time. His performances include:

  • in 1737, won 200 guineas at Newmarket
  • in 1738, beaten by Lath in a match race at Newmarket
  • in 1739, won 200 guineas at Newmarket, 40 guineas at Epsom, 50 guineas at Stamford, and £30 at Winchester
  • in 1740, won a plate at Salisbury.[3]

Breeding career

Squirt then became a stallion for Sir Henry Harpur of Calke, Derbyshire. Squirt was nearly put down after developing laminitis, but his groom begged for a reprieve.[5] Squirt's offspring includes:

Pedigree

Pedigree of Squirt, chestnut horse, 1732[1]
Sire
Bartlet's Childers (GB)
1716
Darley Arabian (GB)
1700
(unknown) (unknown)
(unknown)
(unknown) (unknown)
(unknown)
Betty Leedes (GB)
~1700
Old Careless (GB) Spanker
Barb Mare
Cream Cheeks (GB) Leedes Arabian
Spanker Mare
Dam
Sister to Old Country Wench (GB)
~1713
Snake (GB)
1705
Lister Turk (Tur) (unknown)
(unknown)
Hautboy Mare (GB) Hautboy
(unknown)
Grey Wilkes (GB) Hautboy (GB) Darcy's White Turk
Royal Mare
Miss Darcy's Pet Mare (GB) (unknown)
Sedbury Royal Mare

References

  1. ^ a b "Squirt Horse Pedigree". pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  2. ^ Pickrell, John (6 December 2005). "95% of thoroughbreds linked to one superstud". newscientist.com. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  3. ^ a b Erigero, Patricia. "Foundation Sires". tbheritage.com. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  4. ^ Whyte, James Christie (July 1840). "History of the British Turf: from the earliest history to the present day". openlibrary.org. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  5. ^ Byles, Tony; 101 Interesting Facts on the History of Horse Racing
  6. ^ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines: Bartlet's Childers". bloodlines.net. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Pumpkin Horse Pedigree". pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  8. ^ "Maiden Horse Pedigree". pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 27 May 2016.

Squirt (horse)