Skyscraper (horse) facts for kids

Skyscraper (born 1786, died 1807) was a famous British Thoroughbred racehorse. He was one of many amazing horses born to the great stallion Highflyer. Skyscraper is most famous for winning The Derby race in 1789. He raced until he was seven years old. After losing two races, he retired to become a stud, which means he was used for breeding other racehorses.

About Skyscraper's Family

Skyscraper's father, Highflyer

Skyscraper was born at Woburn Abbey. His breeder was the 5th Duke of Bedford, who was only 21 when Skyscraper was a foal. The Duke became a very important breeder of racehorses. He also bred two other Derby winners: Eager (in 1788) and an unnamed Colt by Fidget (in 1794). Plus, he bred two winners of the Oaks race: Portia (1788) and Caelia (1790). The Duke stopped breeding horses when he passed away in 1802.

Skyscraper's father was Highflyer (born 1774). Highflyer was an amazing racehorse who never lost a race! He became the best male horse for breeding in his time. Skyscraper's grandfather was the noble Herod. Through Herod, Skyscraper was directly related to the famous Byerley Turk horse. His grandmother was Rachel, whose grandfather was the legendary Godolphin Arabian.

Skyscraper's mother was Everlasting. She was a mare (female horse) whose father was the unbeaten Eclipse. Skyscraper also had a half-sister named Sister to Goldfinch (born 1785). This sister was the great-grandmother of Hannibal, who won the Derby in 1804.

How Skyscraper Got His Name

Skyscraper got his name from the Duke of Bedford's friend, Ralph Dutton. People think the name referred to how tall Skyscraper was. The name also sounded a bit like his father's name, Highflyer.

The word 'skyscraper' was first used for a building much later, in 1884. It described the Home Insurance Building in Chicago. But before that, the word had a meaning in sailing. It referred to a very high sail on a tall ship.

Skyscraper's Racing Adventures

Racing as a Three-Year-Old (1789)

Skyscraper started his racing career in 1789. At a race meeting in Newmarket, he won 240 guineas (a type of money) in special payments. He also won a big race worth 500 guineas for young horses, beating a horse named Maid of all Work. At another Newmarket meeting, he won the Prince's Stakes, beating several other horses.

On May 28, at Epsom, Skyscraper won the famous Derby race! He beat ten other horses, including Sir George and the Prince of Wales's horse, Soujah ul Dowlah. A jockey named Sam Chifney the elder rode him to victory. While at Epsom, Skyscraper also won 70 guineas from a filly (young female horse) named Tag. Sam Chifney also won the Oaks race on Tag that year.

Later that year, at Newmarket, Skyscraper won more money. He won 250 guineas from a horse named Magpie and 60 guineas from Calomel. The next day, he won 800 guineas, beating Skylark and Competitor. He also won another £50 and collected more guineas from other horses.

Racing as a Four-Year-Old (1790)

In 1790, Skyscraper won the Jockey Stakes at Newmarket, beating Skylark and other horses. However, in a special race against Glaucus, he was beaten. Later, he won the Subscription race at Newmarket, but then lost a race to Skylark. In another race, he finished fourth.

Racing as a Five-Year-Old (1791)

Skyscraper had mixed results in 1791. He won a big race worth 1500 guineas, beating fifteen other horses. But in another race, he came in last. He also collected 150 guineas from other horses. However, he finished second in another race, losing to Tally-Ho.

Racing as a Six-Year-Old (1792)

Skyscraper had a strong finish to his 1792 season. He came second in one race. He was beaten in a race against Buzzard. But then, he won the King's Plate race, beating Coriander and other horses. At Stockbridge, he won the Prince of Wales's Plate, beating his younger half-sister Thalia twice. He also won the King's Plate at Winchester. At Lewes, he came second in the King's Plate. He also won two more races at Newmarket, beating Skylark both times.

Racing as a Seven-Year-Old (1793)

Skyscraper did not win any races in 1793. He came second in the King's Plate, losing to Coriander, a horse he had beaten the year before. In his last race, he finished fifth and last. After this, he retired from racing.

Skyscraper's Life as a Father

After his racing career, Skyscraper retired to Woburn. He became a stallion, meaning he was used to breed new racehorses. His fee was five guineas for each breeding. After his owner, the Duke, passed away in 1802, Skyscraper moved to a new stud farm in Tytherton. There, his breeding fee went up to ten guineas.

Some of his notable children included:

Pictures of Skyscraper

After Skyscraper won the Derby, a famous artist named J. N. Sartorius painted his picture. This painting was later made into a special print called a mezzotint by Houston.