Lath (horse) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lath |
|
|---|---|
Lath painted by James Seymour
|
|
| 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) |
|
Lath (born in 1732) was a famous British Thoroughbred racehorse. He was a true champion, winning at least four big races. These included a 1000-guinea sweepstakes at Newmarket. He also won an exciting match race against a horse named Squirt. After his racing days, Lath became a stallion, which means he was used for breeding. He had many fast offspring. He even became the great-grandfather of a horse named Hollandoise, who won the famous St. Leger Stakes.
About Lath's Early Life
Lath was a bay colt, which is a young male horse. He was born in 1732. His breeder was Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin. Lath's mother was a mare named Roxana. She was the daughter of a horse called Bald Galloway.
In 1731, Roxana was supposed to breed with a horse named Hobgoblin. But Hobgoblin wasn't interested! So, Roxana was sent to the Godolphin Arabian. At that time, Godolphin Arabian was mostly a "teaser stallion." This means he helped check if mares were ready to breed.
This unexpected pairing created Lath. He was the very first foal (baby horse) of the Godolphin Arabian. Roxana later had other famous foals. These included Roundhead and Cade. After Lath became successful, the Godolphin Arabian became a top breeding stallion. He was even named the champion sire in 1738, 1745, and 1747. His sons, like Cade, Regulus, and Blank, also became champion sires.
Lath's Racing Adventures
Lath was known as one of the best horses at Newmarket. People even compared him to the legendary Flying Childers.
On April 23, 1737, Lath won a big race at Newmarket. It was a sweepstakes worth 1000 guineas. A guinea was a gold coin, worth about 21 shillings. He beat nine other horses in this race. These included Squirt and John Trott.
Later that same year, Lath won another race. He beat a horse named Little Partner. This race was four miles long and worth 200 guineas. In October 1738, Lath raced against Squirt again. He won this four-mile race too, earning 300 guineas. He also won a race for £50 in Marlborough.
Lath's Life After Racing
After his successful racing career, Lath retired. He was sold to John Turner. Later, he was owned by William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire. Lath then began his "stud career." This means he was used for breeding new racehorses.
Some of Lath's most famous offspring include:
- Red Cap (born 1744) – A chestnut stallion who won races at Ludlow and Newmarket.
- Miss (born 1754) – A chestnut mare. She was the mother of the dam (grandmother) of Chatsworth. Chatsworth won the Great Subscription Purse.
- Ancaster Crazy – A chestnut mare. She gave birth to Virago, who won many races. Virago was also the mother of Hollandoise, a winner of the St. Leger Stakes.
