Bay Malton facts for kids

Bay Malton (born 1760, died 1786) was a very successful British racehorse from the 1700s. He was a Thoroughbred, which is a special breed of horse known for its speed and agility, perfect for racing. As his name suggests, Bay Malton was a bay horse, meaning he had a reddish-brown body with a black mane, tail, and lower legs.

He was born in 1760 and bred by Mrs. Ayrton of Malton. His father was a famous horse named Sampson.

Bay Malton: A Champion Racehorse

Early Life and First Races

Bay Malton started his racing career in May 1764. His first race was a "sweepstake," which is a type of race where the prize money comes from entry fees paid by the owners. He won this race, earning 160 guineas (an old British coin).

After this first win, Bay Malton was sold to a new owner, the Marquis of Rockingham. This new owner helped Bay Malton become even more famous.

Famous Victories

Bay Malton quickly showed he was a top racehorse. In April 1765, he won another big sweepstake, this time for 500 guineas. Later that year, he easily beat a horse named Gimcrack, who was thought to be the best horse in Newmarket at the time.

One of his most important wins was the Great Subscription Purse at York. In this race, he beat a horse named Herod, who would later become a very important father (sire) of many future race champions.

His most exciting victory happened in April 1767 at Newmarket. He raced against Herod again, along with two other horses named Turf and Ascham. This race was so popular that it brought more people to the racecourse than ever before! Bay Malton won this race too, proving he was truly a champion.

The Jockey: John Singleton

A jockey named John Singleton was almost always the one riding Bay Malton in his races. Singleton rode Bay Malton in all his races except for his very first one and the race against Gimcrack. This strong partnership helped Bay Malton achieve many of his great wins.

Life After Racing

After his racing days were over, Bay Malton became a "stallion." This means he was used for breeding, helping to create new generations of fast racehorses. He lived at Lord Rockingham's stud farm until he passed away at the age of 26.

Remembering Bay Malton

Bay Malton was such a well-known horse that a pub in York, called "The Bay Horse," is believed to be named after him. This shows how famous and loved he was in his time.