Blacklegs (horse) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blacklegs |
|
|---|---|
| Sire | Flying Childers |
| Grandsire | Darley Arabian |
| Dam | Basto mare |
| Damsire | Basto |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1728 |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | 2nd Duke of Devonshire |
| Owner | 3rd Duke of Devonshire |
| Major wins | |
| 700 gs Stakes (1733) Match against Sly (1733) 275 gs Sweepstakes (1733) |
|
| Awards | |
| Champion sire of Great Britain (1746) | |
Blacklegs was a famous British Thoroughbred racehorse born in 1728. He became a top horse for racing and later for breeding. In 1746, he was named the champion sire of Great Britain. This means his children were some of the best racehorses around. Blacklegs was bred by the 2nd Duke of Devonshire. Later, his son, the 3rd Duke of Devonshire, owned him.
Meet Blacklegs: A Champion Horse
Blacklegs was a beautiful bay colt. He was born in 1728. His father was a horse named Flying Childers. Flying Childers was also a very successful racehorse. He won all six of his races. Flying Childers was also a champion sire, just like Blacklegs would become. Some of Flying Childers' other famous children included Blaze and Snip.
Blacklegs' mother was an unnamed mare (female horse) by a horse named Basto. This Basto mare was also the mother of other champion horses. These included Crab, Snip, and Second. After the 2nd Duke of Devonshire passed away in 1729, his son, the 3rd Duke of Devonshire, became Blacklegs' owner.
Blacklegs on the Race Track
Blacklegs was a strong and fast racehorse. In October 1732, he raced at Newmarket. He beat a horse named Beauty in a four-mile race. Blacklegs won 200 guineas for his owner. A guinea was a type of money used back then.
The next April, Blacklegs won the 700 guineas stakes. He beat three other horses: Sly, Favourite, and Quibble. This race was also four miles long. In October of the same year, he raced Sly again. Blacklegs won this race too, which was a 300 guineas match race. A match race is when only two horses compete. At that same event, Blacklegs won another race. He beat several horses, including Looby, Spot, Bumper, Favourite, and Robin.
Blacklegs: A Father of Champions
After his racing days, Blacklegs retired to become a breeding horse. This is called a "stud" career. He became a very successful stallion (male horse used for breeding). In 1746, he was recognized as the champion sire of Great Britain. This means his offspring were winning many races. Blacklegs sired (fathered) many good racehorses. He also sired the mothers of other famous horses. These included Captain, Cassandra, Dorimond, Trajan, Marcus, and Jalap.
