Bucephalus (racehorse) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bucephalus |
|
|---|---|
| Sire | Regulus |
| Grandsire | Godolphin Arabian |
| Dam | Partner mare |
| Damsire | Partner |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1764 |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | H. B. Osbaldeston |
| Owner | H. B. Osbaldeston Peregrine Wentworth 1st Earl of Farnham |
| Major wins | |
| 5yo Great Subscription Purse (1769) | |
| Last updated on 2 November 2012 | |
Bucephalus was a famous British racehorse born in 1764. He was a Thoroughbred, a special type of horse known for speed. Bucephalus became well-known for winning races. His most famous race was against another legendary horse named Eclipse in 1770.
Contents
Meet Bucephalus: A Racing Star
Bucephalus was a chestnut colt, which means he was a young male horse. He was born in 1764 and raised by H. B. Osbaldeston. His father was a very successful racehorse named Regulus. Regulus was a champion sire, meaning he produced many winning horses.
Bucephalus's mother was a mare (female horse) whose father was named Partner. Bucephalus had full brothers and sisters named Sultan and Sultana. He also had a half-brother named Constantine.
Bucephalus's Racing Adventures
Bucephalus started his racing career in May 1768 at Beverley. He won his very first race, called the Ladies' Plate. After this win, a person named Peregrine Wentworth bought him.
Winning Big Races
Bucephalus then raced at York in the Subscription Purse. He was the favorite to win, meaning most people thought he would. He won easily, beating other horses like Leith and Rambler. A few days later, he won another big race, earning 500 guineas.
The Famous Race Against Eclipse
In April 1770, Bucephalus faced his biggest challenge. He raced against Eclipse at Newmarket. Eclipse was an amazing horse who had never lost a race. This type of race, where only two horses compete, is called a match race.
Bucephalus lost this race, which was his first defeat. People said it was the hardest race Eclipse ever ran. The effort was so great that Bucephalus couldn't race for the rest of that year. After this race, he was sold to the Earl of Farnham.
Later Races and Retirement
Bucephalus raced a few more times for the Earl of Farnham, but he didn't win any more races. In March 1773, he was sold back to his first owner, H. B. Osbaldeston. Bucephalus then won one more race, the four-mile Annual Prize. After this, he retired from racing.
Bucephalus as a Father
After his racing career, Bucephalus became a sire. This means he had baby horses, called progeny. Some of his children became successful racehorses too. One of his notable sons was named Junior.
