Lath (horse) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lath |
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Lath painted by James Seymour
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| Sire | Godolphin Arabian |
| Dam | Roxana |
| Damsire | Bald Galloway |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1732 |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | 2nd Earl of Godolphin |
| Owner | 2nd Earl of Godolphin John Turner 3rd Duke of Devonshire |
| Major wins | |
| Great Stakes (1737) Match against Little Partner (1737) Match against Squirt (1738) |
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Lath was a famous Thoroughbred racehorse from Great Britain. He was born in 1732 and became known for winning several important races. One of his biggest wins was a 1000-guinea race at Newmarket Racecourse. After his racing days, Lath became a father to many other successful racehorses. He was the very first foal of the famous Godolphin Arabian, one of the three horses that started the Thoroughbred breed.
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Lath's Early Life
Lath was a bay colt, meaning he was a male horse with a reddish-brown body and black mane and tail. He was born in 1732. His breeder was Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin, a very important person in horse racing.
His Famous Parents
Lath's mother was a mare named Roxana. His father was the legendary Godolphin Arabian. This horse is one of the three "foundation sires" of all modern Thoroughbreds.
Interestingly, Roxana was first supposed to have a foal with another horse named Hobgoblin. But Hobgoblin wasn't interested in her. So, Roxana was then sent to the Godolphin Arabian. At that time, the Godolphin Arabian was mostly used to help other horses get ready for breeding.
Lath was the very first foal born from the Godolphin Arabian. After Lath became a successful racehorse, the Godolphin Arabian became a top father horse himself. He was the champion sire (meaning his children won the most money) in Great Britain and Ireland in 1738, 1745, and 1747.
Lath's Racing Career
Lath was a very fast and successful racehorse. He won at least four races during his career. People thought he was one of the best horses to race at Newmarket since the time of another famous horse called Flying Childers.
Major Race Wins
- April 23, 1737: Lath won a big race at Newmarket Racecourse. This race was called a "sweepstakes" and had a prize of 1000 guineas. A guinea was a type of gold coin used for prizes back then. He beat nine other horses, including a horse named Squirt.
- Later in 1737: He won a "match race" against a horse called Little Partner. A match race is when only two horses race against each other. Lath won this four-mile race for a prize of 200 guineas.
- October 1738: Lath raced against Squirt again, the horse he beat in 1737. Lath won this four-mile match race too, earning 300 guineas.
- He also won a race for £50 at Marlborough.
Lath's Stud Career
After Lath finished his racing career, he became a "stud" horse. This means he was used to father other racehorses. He was first sold to John Turner, and later to the 3rd Duke of Devonshire.
Lath's Famous Children
Lath had several successful children who also became good racehorses or parents of good racehorses. Some of his most notable children include:
- Red Cap (born 1744): This chestnut male horse won races at Ludlow and Newmarket.
- Miss (born 1754): This chestnut female horse became the mother of another horse that won the Great Subscription Purse race.
- Ancaster Crazy: This chestnut female horse had a daughter named Virago. Virago won many races and was the mother of Hollandoise, a horse that won the famous St. Leger Stakes race.
Pedigree
Lath's family tree shows his famous parents and grandparents. His father was the legendary Godolphin Arabian. His mother was Roxana. On his mother's side, his grandfather was a horse called Bald Galloway. This family history is important because it shows how Lath was connected to some of the earliest and most important horses in the Thoroughbred breed.
