Sorcerer (horse) facts for kids

Sorcerer was a famous British racehorse born in 1796. He was a Thoroughbred, which is a special type of horse bred for racing. Sorcerer raced mostly at a place called Newmarket. He won 15 of his 21 races, including the October Oatlands Stakes in 1800.

After he stopped racing, Sorcerer became a very successful father to other racehorses. He was known as the best horse father (or "leading sire") in Great Britain and Ireland for three years. Many of his children became famous racehorses too. Some of them were Morel, Maid of Orleans, Wizard, and Smolensko. Sorcerer was owned and bred by Sir Charles Bunbury. He lived until 1821.

About Sorcerer: His Early Life and Family

Sorcerer was a black colt, meaning a young male horse. He was born in 1796 and bred by Sir Charles Bunbury. Sorcerer grew to be quite tall, standing 16 hands and 1 inch high. A "hand" is a unit used to measure a horse's height.

His father was a horse named Trumpator. Trumpator also raced at Newmarket and won a big race called the Claret Stakes in 1786. Trumpator was also a very successful father to other horses. He was even named the British Champion sire in 1803. Trumpator's other famous children included Epsom Derby winner Didelot.

Sorcerer's mother was Young Giantess. She was the daughter of another famous horse named Diomed. Sorcerer was her first foal (baby horse). Young Giantess also gave birth to other important horses like Eleanor and Julia.

Sorcerer's Racing Career

Sorcerer was a busy racehorse, competing in many races from 1799 to 1801. He showed great skill and speed on the track.

1799: Racing as a Three-Year-Old

Sorcerer started his racing career at the Newmarket track in October 1799. He entered a special race called a Sweepstakes, where each owner paid a fee to enter. Sorcerer was a favorite to win, with odds of 2/1. This meant that for every £1 you bet, you could win £2 if he won.

The race was about two and a quarter miles long. Sorcerer finished second. Later that month, he raced again at Newmarket in a match race. A match race is when only two horses compete against each other. Sorcerer beat a horse named Royala in this race, which was about five and a half furlongs long. A furlong is about 200 meters.

The match race between Symmetry (foreground) and Sorcerer at Newmarket

1800: Racing as a Four-Year-Old

In April 1800, Sorcerer lost a match race at Newmarket. But just three days later, he won another match race against a horse named Chippenham. Chippenham was the favorite, but Sorcerer still won the 100 guineas prize. A guinea was an old British coin worth about £1.05.

In May, Sorcerer won another race at Newmarket, beating Speculator over one mile. He then raced away from Newmarket for the first time in July. He won the King's Plate at Ipswich. The King's Plate was a special race sponsored by the King. This race had two "heats," which are like rounds. Sorcerer won both heats, showing his strength.

He returned to Newmarket in July and won a £50 race. In October, he lost a match race against Symmetry. Later that day, he finished third in another race. Two days later, he was second in another King's Plate race.

At Newmarket's Second October meeting, Sorcerer won a two-mile race. He then competed in the October Oatlands Stakes. Sorcerer was the favorite for this one-mile race. He won the race, with Scrub finishing second.

1801: Racing as a Five-Year-Old

Sorcerer continued racing in April 1801. He won a £50 Subscription plate, beating three other horses. He also won 50 guineas without racing when another horse, Richmond, didn't show up for their planned match. This is called a "forfeit."

At the same meeting, he won another £50 race. Two days later, he raced in a King's Plate. Sorcerer and another horse named Worthy finished in a dead heat, meaning they crossed the finish line at the exact same time. They had to race again, and Worthy won the second time. Two days after that, Sorcerer beat Richmond in a two-mile match race.

Sorcerer and Richmond met again in July, and Sorcerer won again. The next day, Sorcerer won a £50 race by a walkover. This means no other horses showed up to race against him, so he won automatically.

At Oxford, he won £50 from the Duke of Marlborough by beating Cordovan in two three-mile heats. On July 29, he won another King's Plate at Burford by walkover. His very last race was on August 15, where he won a 10 guineas Subscription race. After this, he stopped racing and began his career as a father to new racehorses.

Sorcerer's Life as a Father (Stud Career)

Sorcerer's son Smolensko

After his racing days, Sorcerer became a stallion (a male horse used for breeding) at a place called Great Barton in Suffolk. In 1805, owners who wanted their female horses to have babies with Sorcerer had to pay ten guineas. They also paid half a guinea for the "groom," who was the person taking care of the horses.

Sorcerer was very good at being a father. He was the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland for three years in a row: 1811, 1812, and 1813. This means his children were winning the most races. His most famous children (called "progeny") included:

• Morel (born 1805) – She won many races, including the important Oaks Stakes in 1808.
• Maid of Orleans (born 1806) – She also won the Oaks race in 1809.
• Wizard (born 1806) – He won the 2000 Guineas and came second in the 1809 Derby.
• Gramarie (born 1807) – She was the mother of a Derby winner named Prince Leopold.
• Soothsayer (born 1808) – He won the St. Leger Stakes in 1811. He later became a Champion sire himself, meaning his children also won many races.
• Sorcery (born 1808) – She won the Oaks and was the mother of a Derby winner named Cadland.
• Trophonius (born 1808) – He won the 2000 Guineas in 1811.
• Truffle (born 1808) – He won many races at Newmarket.
• Comus (born 1809) – He won the Claret Stakes. His children also became famous race winners.
• Smolensko (born 1810) – He won the 2000 Guineas, the Derby, and the Newmarket Stakes. After racing, he became a successful father too.
• Sorcerer mare (born 1810) – This daughter of Sorcerer was the mother of a St. Leger winner named Jack Spigot.

Sorcerer passed away in 1821 when he was 25 years old.