Squirt (horse) facts for kids

Squirt (born in 1732) was a famous Thoroughbred racehorse. He is best known as the great-grandfather of Eclipse, who became one of the most important horses in the history of the Thoroughbred breed. Squirt lived a long time ago, when the sport of horse racing was just starting to become organized. Because of this, some information about him is not complete.

Squirt's Family and Early Life

Squirt was born in 1732 and was bred by William Metcalfe in Beverley, England. His father was a horse named Bartlett's Childers. Bartlett's Childers was the full brother of Flying Childers, who was thought to be the fastest racehorse of his time. Even though Bartlett's Childers never raced, he became a very important father horse (called a "sire").

Squirt's mother was known as Sister to Old Country Wench. She had another famous foal named Grey Robinson, who later had an undefeated horse named Regulus.

Squirt's Racing Career

During his racing days, Squirt was owned by Charles Colyear, the Earl of Portmore. Back then, racehorses usually started racing when they were five years old, and Squirt did too. He was a good runner and won several races:

• In 1737, he won 200 guineas (a type of money) at Newmarket, a famous race track.
• In 1738, he raced against a horse named Lath at Newmarket but was beaten.
• In 1739, he had a great year! He won 200 guineas at Newmarket again, 40 guineas at Epsom, 50 guineas at Stamford, and £30 at Winchester.
• In 1740, he won a race at Salisbury.

Squirt's Breeding Career

After his racing career, Squirt became a "stallion," which means he was used to father new horses. He lived with Sir Henry Harpur in Derbyshire. Squirt almost didn't make it because he developed a painful foot condition called laminitis. Luckily, his groom (the person who cared for him) begged for him to be saved, and Squirt recovered.

Squirt became a very important father horse. His most famous son was Marske, born in 1750. Marske then became the father of the amazing, undefeated horse Eclipse. Through Eclipse, Squirt's family line continues to be very important in horse racing even today! Many top racehorses around the world can trace their family back to Squirt.

Some of Squirt's other important children include:

• Syphon (born 1750): He won several races, including the Great Subscription at York.
• Tim (born 1752): His daughters became important mothers of future racehorses.
• Pratt's Old Mare: She had 17 foals, including Pumpkin, who won 20 races.

Pedigree