Bridget (horse) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bridget |
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|---|---|
| Sire | Herod |
| Grandsire | Tartar |
| Dam | Jemima |
| Damsire | Snap |
| Sex | Mare |
| Foaled | 1776 |
| Country | Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | 12th Earl of Derby |
| Owner | 12th Earl of Derby |
| Major wins | |
| Oaks Stakes (1779) Sweepstakes of 50gs at Newmarket (1779) Sweepstakes of 100gs at Newmarket (1779) Post Stakes (1780) Grosvenor's Stakes (1780) Match against Postboy (1780) Match against Girandola (1781) |
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Bridget (born 1776, died 1798) was a famous British Thoroughbred racehorse. She made history by winning the very first Oaks Stakes race in 1779. Her owner and breeder was the 12th Earl of Derby. After her racing days, Bridget became a mother, having five foals.
About Bridget
Bridget was a beautiful bay (reddish-brown) female horse. She was born in 1776. Her breeder was the 12th Earl of Derby.
Bridget's father was a famous horse named Herod. Herod was a very successful racehorse. He was also a top "sire," meaning he produced many winning racehorses. Bridget's mother was a horse named Jemima.
Bridget's Racing Career
Bridget started her racing career on May 14, 1779. This was a very special day. She ran in the first-ever Oaks Stakes race. This big race was held at Epsom Downs.
Bridget was a favorite to win, and she did! She beat Fame, Lavinia, and nine other horses. Later that year, in July, Bridget won another race. This was a "Sweepstakes" race at Newmarket. She won 50 guineas (an old type of money). She beat Fame, Torrent, and another horse.
In October, Bridget raced at Newmarket again. She won another Sweepstakes race, this time for 100 guineas. She beat four other horses, including Torrent.
In 1780, Bridget continued her winning streak. She won the Post Stakes at Newmarket. She also won part of the Grosvenor's Stakes race. Later that year, she won a special "match race" against a horse named Postboy.
Bridget raced one last time in 1781. She won another match race against a horse named Girandola.
Bridget as a Mother
After her racing career, Bridget became a "broodmare." This means she was used to have foals. She had five foals for the Earl of Derby.
Here are some of her foals:
- Guilford colt – A chestnut (reddish-brown) male foal born in 1787.
- Hotspur – A chestnut male foal born in 1789. His father was a horse named Volunteer.
- Fair Helen – A bay female foal born in 1792. Her father was Sir Peter Teazle. She raced in the Oaks but did not win.
- Millamant – A chestnut female foal born in 1793. Her father was Volunteer.
- Sir Thomas – A bay male foal born in 1795. His father was Sir Peter Teazle.
Bridget passed away in 1798. She is remembered as a pioneering racehorse.
