Spilletta facts for kids

Spilletta was a famous British racehorse born in 1749. She lived until 1776. Even though she only raced once and didn't win, she became very important. Spilletta is best known for being the mother of a super-fast horse named Eclipse. Eclipse never lost a race!

Spilletta's Early Life and Family

Spilletta was a beautiful bay-colored filly. A filly is a young female horse. She was born in 1749 and bred by Sir Robert Eden. Her father was a horse named Regulus. Regulus was also an amazing racehorse who never lost a race himself.

Who Was Regulus?

Regulus was not just a great racer. He was also a very successful father to many horses. He was named the "Champion Sire" eight times. This means his children won many races. Some of Regulus's other famous children were Careless and Cato. Spilletta's mother was a mare named Mother Western. Her father was Smith's son of Snake.

Spilletta's Only Race

Spilletta only competed in one race during her life. This race took place in April 1754. It was held at the famous Newmarket track in Great Britain. The prize for this race was £50. Spilletta did not win her race. She finished behind Royal, Tantivy, and Jason.

Spilletta's Life as a Mother

After her racing career, Spilletta became a broodmare. A broodmare is a female horse used for breeding. She lived at the stud farm of the Duke of Cumberland. Spilletta gave birth to five foals. A foal is a baby horse.

Spilletta's Famous Children

• Ariaden – This was a bay filly. She was born in 1759. Her father was a horse named Crab.
• Eclipse – Eclipse was a chestnut stallion. He was born in 1764. His father was a horse named Marske. Eclipse is one of the most famous racehorses ever. He never lost any of his 18 races! People think he might be the best racehorse of all time. Eclipse won many important races. These included 11 King's Plates and the Great Subscription Purse. He also won a special race against another horse called Bucephalus. Eclipse had many famous children too. These included Planet, Pot-8-Os, and King Fergus. Most Thoroughbred horses alive today can trace their family back to Eclipse.
• Proserpine – This was a bay mare. She was born in 1766. Her father was also Marske. Proserpine did not race herself. However, she became a mother to seven foals, including one named Humbug.
• Garrick – Garrick was first called Hyperion. He was a chestnut stallion. He was born in 1772. His father was Marske. Garrick won a race at Newmarket in 1777. The prize was 140 guineas. After racing, he became a father to other horses. He lived at stud farms in Newmarket and near Malton in Yorkshire.
• Briseis – This was a chestnut filly. She was born in 1774. Her father was a horse named Chrysolite.

Spilletta passed away in 1776. She is remembered for being the mother of the amazing, undefeated Eclipse.