Archduke (horse) facts for kids

Archduke (born in 1796) was a famous British racehorse. He was a special type of horse called a Thoroughbred. He raced only a few times in 1799, but he won two important races. His biggest win was the Epsom Derby, a very famous horse race. After his racing days, he became a father to other racehorses in the United States.

About Archduke

Archduke was a brown horse. He was born and raised by his owner, Sir Frank Standish, at Duxbury Hall.

His father was a famous horse named Sir Peter Teazle. Sir Peter also won the Epsom Derby, back in 1787. He became one of the best fathers (called a "sire") to racehorses of his time. He was named "Champion Sire" ten times!

Archduke's mother was Horatia. She was a very successful mother horse (called a "broodmare"). She had other famous foals, including Stamford and Paris, who also won the Derby.

Archduke's Racing Days

Starting His Career (1799)

Before 1946, racehorses in Britain didn't always get an official name right away. So, when Archduke first raced on April 10, 1799, he didn't have a name! He was simply called "Sir F. Standish's colt by Sir Peter out of Horatia."

This first race was a "Sweepstakes" at Newmarket Racecourse. He was the favorite to win and he did! He beat three other horses, including a filly named John Bull.

Winning the Derby

Archduke got his official name when he went to Epsom Downs Racecourse for the Derby on May 9. His stablemate, a horse named Eagle, was the favorite to win. But Archduke, who was not expected to win (at 12 to 1 odds), surprised everyone!

Riding with experienced jockey John Arnull, Archduke won the Derby! He beat the Precipitate colt and his stablemate, Eagle, who finished third. This was similar to a race in 1796, where another horse owned by Sir Frank Standish, Didelot, won even though his stablemate was favored.

Later Races

After his big Derby win, Archduke took a long break. He returned to race in the autumn at Newmarket. On September 30, he raced in another Sweepstakes. Even though he was the favorite, he finished third out of four horses. Eagle, his stablemate, finished last.

Two days later, Archduke raced again in the Town Plate. He finished last in that race. This was his very last race. He was supposed to race again later, but he was withdrawn.

Archduke's Life as a Sire

After his racing career, Archduke became a sire, meaning he fathered other racehorses. He spent two seasons in England. In 1803, he was sold to John Hoomes and moved to Virginia in the United States.

Before he left England, he fathered a horse named Roseden, who became a successful sire in Ireland. After John Hoomes passed away in 1805, Archduke was sold again. In 1807, he lived in Chesterfield County, Virginia, with Thomas Branch.