Parasol (horse) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Parasol
Painting of Parasol
Sire	Pot-8-Os
Grandsire	Eclipse
Dam	Prunella
Damsire	Highflyer
Sex	Mare
Foaled	1800
Country	Great Britain
Colour	Bay
Breeder	3rd Duke of Grafton
Owner	3rd Duke of Grafton
Record	35: 20-9-5
Major wins
Town Plate (1803) Second Class Oatlands Stakes (1804) One-third Subscription of 25 gs (1804) Newmarket October King's Plate (1804, 1805) £50 Subscription at Newmarket (1805) Jockey-Club Plate (1805) One-third Subscription of 25 gs (1805) £50 race at Newmarket (1806) Match against Cardinal Beaufort (1806)

Parasol's owner, the 3rd Duke of Grafton

Parasol (born 1800, died 1826) was a famous British Thoroughbred racehorse. She won 20 of her 35 races. Her victories included two Newmarket King's Plates and the Jockey-Club Plate. She also won a special "match race" against Derby winner Cardinal Beaufort. Parasol only raced away from Newmarket once, during her very first race. She was bred and owned by Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton. After her racing career, Parasol became a successful mother (a "broodmare"). She gave birth to important horses like Partisan, 2000 Guineas winner Pindarrie, and Pastille, who won both the 2000 Guineas and the Oaks.

About Parasol

Parasol was a bay (brown with black mane and tail) female horse, called a filly. She was born in 1800 and bred by the 3rd Duke of Grafton.

Her Parents

Parasol's father was a very successful racehorse named Pot-8-Os. He won many races, including important ones like the 1200 Guineas Stakes. Pot-8-Os later became a top father (sire) of racehorses. His children included three winners of the famous Derby race.

Parasol's mother was a leading broodmare named Prunella. Her father was the undefeated horse Highflyer. Prunella was also a great mother. She gave birth to Pelisse, who won the Oaks race, and Pope, who won the Derby. Prunella also had other daughters who became important mothers of future racehorses. Parasol was Prunella's third foal.

Parasol's Racing Career

Parasol had a long and successful racing career, competing for six years. She mostly raced at Newmarket, which is a very famous place for horse racing in England.

Three-Year-Old Season (1803)

Parasol's first race was the Oaks Stakes at Epsom Downs on May 27. She was a favorite to win, but she finished third.

Later that year, at Newmarket, she won the Town Plate. She also won another race, beating four other horses. In October, she won a £50 Subscription Plate, beating a male horse named Orlando.

Four-Year-Old Season (1804)

Parasol started her 1804 season by winning the Second Class of the Oatlands Stakes at Newmarket. She was the favorite and won against Hard-bargain and others.

She also won a special "match race" against a horse named Enchanter. In October, she won the King's Plate, a very important race that was almost four miles long. She beat two strong rivals, Sir Harry Dimsdale and Walton. Later that month, she won another match race against a horse named Buss.

Five-Year-Old Season (1805)

In 1805, Parasol finished third in her first race, the Oatlands Stakes. However, she soon bounced back. She won a £50 Subscription race in May.

A big win came at the Jockey-Club Plate, where she beat Walton, who was the favorite. After a break, Parasol returned in October. She won the King's Plate for the second year in a row without even having to race, as no other horses showed up to compete (this is called a "walkover"). She also won another race that month.

Six-Year-Old Season (1806)

Parasol continued her winning ways in 1806. She won the King's Plate for mares in April, beating two other horses. She also won a £50 Subscription race.

In July, she won another £50 race. A highlight of her season was beating the famous Derby winner Cardinal Beaufort in a 200 guineas match race in October. This showed how strong she was.

Later Racing Years (1807-1808)

Parasol continued to race in 1807 and 1808. In 1807, she finished third in the Oatlands Stakes. She also came second in the King's Plate later that year.

In 1808, as an eight-year-old, she finished second in the Oatlands Stakes. She then won 100 guineas by beating a horse named Taurus. This was her last race.

Parasol's Reproduction and Offspring

After her racing career, Parasol became a "broodmare," meaning she was used for breeding. She gave birth to twelve foals, many of whom became successful racehorses or important parents themselves.

Here are some of her most famous children:

• Partisan (born 1811): A bay male horse (stallion) who won several races at Newmarket. He later became a very important father of racehorses. His son Gladiator was the father of Doncaster Cup winner Sweetmeat.
• Pindarrie (born 1817): A bay male horse who won the famous 2000 Guineas race in 1820. He was later sent to India.
• Polygar (born 1818): A chestnut male horse. His daughter Ada was the mother of Doncaster Cup winner Sabreur.
• Pastille (born 1819): A bay female horse who achieved great success. She won both the 2000 Guineas and the Oaks races in 1822.

Parasol lived until the autumn of 1826, when she was 26 years old.