Didelot (horse) facts for kids

Didelot (born 1793) was a famous British Thoroughbred racehorse. Thoroughbreds are a special type of horse bred for speed and racing. Didelot raced from March 1796 to October 1798. During his career, he ran ten times and won two races. His biggest win was the Epsom Derby in 1796. After his racing days, he was sent to Russia to become a father to other racehorses.

Didelot's Early Life and Family

Didelot was bred by his owner, Sir Frank Standish. His mother was a mare (female horse) whose father was a famous horse named Highflyer. This mare was very special. Her first foal (baby horse) was Spread Eagle, who won the Derby in 1795! Didelot's father was a strong black stallion named Trumpator. Trumpator was a successful racehorse himself. He later became a "Champion Sire," meaning many of his children became great racers too.

Didelot's Racing Adventures

Didelot raced ten times in his career. He won two races and finished second four times.

1796: Three-Year-Old Season

Didelot started racing when he was three years old. His first race was at Newmarket in March 1796. He finished second in a race called the Produce Stakes. A few weeks later, in April, he got his first win. He won the Prince's Stakes, beating three other horses.

Winning the Epsom Derby

Didelot's most important race was the Derby at Epsom. This race is one of the most famous horse races in the world. Many people thought Didelot's stablemate, Mr. Teazle, would win. Didelot was not expected to win at all. But, ridden by jockey John Arnull, Didelot surprised everyone! He won the Derby, beating ten other horses, including his more favored stablemate.

After the Derby, Didelot raced twice more at Newmarket in the autumn. He lost both races to a horse named Leviathan.

1797: Four-Year-Old Season

As a four-year-old, Didelot raced three times but did not win. He lost a match race (a race between only two horses) to Stickler. He also finished last in the Claret Stakes. Later that summer, he raced in a long four-mile race at York, finishing fourth.

1798: Five-Year-Old Season

Didelot raced twice in his final year of racing. In April, he finished third in a race at Newmarket. His very last race was in October 1798. He ran in the Oatland's Stakes, a handicap race where horses carry different weights. Didelot finished third in this race.

Didelot's Life After Racing

After his racing career ended, Didelot did not stay in Britain. He was sent to Russia to become a stallion (a male horse used for breeding). This means he became a father to new generations of racehorses.