Spread Eagle (horse) facts for kids

Spread Eagle (born 1792, died 1805) was a famous British racehorse. He was a Thoroughbred horse, known for his speed. Spread Eagle won the important Epsom Derby race in 1795. Later, he moved to the United States. There, he became a father to many early American racehorses.

Spread Eagle's Family and Early Races

Spread Eagle was born in 1792. His father was a horse named Volunteer. His mother was a mare (female horse) by Highflyer. She was also the mother of Eagle and Didelot. Didelot won the Derby in 1796.

Spread Eagle got his name from an inn in Epsom. This inn was a popular spot for racing officials. He started racing when he was three years old.

Winning Important Races

In 1795, Spread Eagle won a race worth 100 guineas at Newmarket. He then won the Prince's Stakes. His biggest win that year was the Epsom Derby. This is a very famous and important horse race.

After his Derby win, Spread Eagle was sick for a while. He could not race again until 1796. In 1796, he won another race worth 100 guineas at York. In 1798, when he was six years old, he won the King's Plate.

Moving to America and Becoming a Father

Spread Eagle stopped racing in 1798. He became a breeding stallion (a male horse used for breeding). For a short time, he stayed in Newmarket. People paid 12 guineas to have their mares breed with him.

In August 1798, Spread Eagle moved to the United States. James Hoomes brought him to Virginia. Spread Eagle became a father to many horses there. He died in Kentucky in 1805. He was 13 years old.

Spread Eagle's Famous Offspring

Spread Eagle's most famous child was a mare named Maid of the Oaks. She was born in Virginia in 1801. Maid of the Oaks became an ancestor of many famous racehorses. This includes a well-known horse named Commando. Her family line is still found in the family trees of some modern racehorses today.