Lounger (horse) facts for kids

Lounger was a famous British Thoroughbred racehorse born in 1794. He is best known for winning the important classic race, the St Leger Stakes, in 1797. Lounger was bred and first trained in Yorkshire, England. He won several races, including the St Leger, before he was sold.

Lounger's Early Life and Family

Lounger was a bay horse, meaning he had a reddish-brown body with a black mane and tail. He was bred by his owner, Gilbert Crompton. Mr. Crompton worked with Reverend Henry Goodricke, who was a church leader in Aldborough.

Lounger's father was a horse named Drone. Drone was a successful racehorse himself. He even beat the winner of the Epsom Derby race twice! Drone later became a breeding stallion in Yorkshire. He was then sent to the United States.

Lounger's mother was a mare (female horse) named Miss Judy. She gave birth to fourteen foals, and Lounger was her fourth. Miss Judy was related to many other great racehorses of her time. These included horses like Theodore and Teddington, who also won the Epsom Derby.

Lounger's Racing Career

Lounger had an exciting racing career. He competed in many races over several years.

1797: Lounger's Three-Year-Old Season

Lounger started his racing career at Beverley Racecourse in June. He finished third in his first race. A few days later, he ran in a maiden race. This race was for horses who had not yet won. He finished fourth and then second in the heats.

His first win came in August at Nottingham Racecourse. He won two heats in a row to claim the victory.

On September 26, Lounger competed in the twenty-second running of the St Leger Stakes. This big race was held at Doncaster Racecourse. Eight colts (young male horses) ran in the race. Another horse named Stamford was the big favorite to win. But Lounger, ridden by jockey John Shepherd, surprised everyone! He won the classic race, beating the favorite.

Lounger finished his season in October at Malton. He won another race there, a "sweepstakes" over three miles. A sweepstakes is a race where the prize money comes from entry fees paid by the owners.

1798: Lounger's Four-Year-Old Season

Lounger had a great year in 1798, winning five of his seven races. He started at York Racecourse in May. He tied for first place with a younger horse named Symmetry. Lounger then beat Symmetry in a deciding race. Symmetry later went on to win the St Leger that year.

In June, Lounger won another sweepstakes race at Beverley. He continued his winning streak at York in August. He won a special "match race" against a horse named Timothy. A match race is when only two horses compete against each other. Later, he finished second in the Ladies' Plate race.

At Lincoln Racecourse in September, Lounger won a valuable race. He won two out of three heats to take home 487 guineas (a type of old British money). He ended his season at Malton in October. He won both heats of his last race of the year.

1799: Lounger's Five-Year-Old Season

Before the 1799 season, Lounger was sold to a new owner, Mr. Vernon. He moved to race in the south of England. This year was not as successful for Lounger. He did not win any of his seven races. However, he usually finished in the top three.

He started the year at Newmarket Racecourse. He finished third in a King's Plate race. A King's Plate was a special race sponsored by the King. He also finished third in two other races at Newmarket.

In July, he finished third in the Petworth Stakes at Brighthelmstone. His last race was in September at Bedford Racecourse. He was beaten by the only other horse in the race, Combatant. After this race, Lounger seems to have stopped racing.

Lounger's Life After Racing

After his last race in 1799, Lounger's name disappears from the racing records. It seems he did not become a breeding stallion. This means he did not have any foals recorded in the official horse breeding books.