Sweetbriar (horse) facts for kids

Sweetbriar was a famous British racehorse born in 1769. He was a very special horse because he won every single race he entered! That's right, he was undefeated. After his racing days, Sweetbriar became a successful father to many other racehorses, including a very important one named Assassin.

Sweetbriar's Early Life

Sweetbriar was a chestnut colt, which means he was a young male horse with a reddish-brown coat. He was born in 1769. Thomas Meredith bred him in Great Britain.

Sweetbriar's father was a horse named Syphon. Syphon was also a successful racehorse. Sweetbriar's mother was a daughter of another horse named Shakespeare.

Sweetbriar's Racing Career

Sweetbriar started his racing career in October 1773. His first race was a Sweepstakes at Newmarket Racecourse. A sweepstakes is a race where the prize money comes from entry fees paid by the horse owners. Sweetbriar won this race against several other horses.

Later that month, he won a match race against a horse named Chalkstone. A match race is when only two horses race against each other. Sweetbriar also won another race at Newmarket.

In the spring of 1774, Sweetbriar continued his winning streak. He beat Chalkstone again in a 1000 guineas race. A guinea was a type of British coin used for betting. He then won another 1000 guineas match race against a horse named Firetail. Firetail was a strong competitor, but Sweetbriar still won.

In October 1774, Sweetbriar won two more races at Newmarket. He beat Lamplighter in one race. Two days later, he won a sweepstakes against Telemachus and Joquille.

Sweetbriar's last race was in October 1775. He won the Newmarket Cup without even having to run! This is called a walkover. It happens when no other horses enter the race. Sweetbriar retired from racing after this, having never lost a single race.

Sweetbriar's Life as a Father

After his amazing racing career, Sweetbriar became a stallion. A stallion is a male horse used for breeding. He helped create many new racehorses.

Sweetbriar was a successful father. His most famous son was a horse named Assassin. Assassin won the Epsom Derby in 1782. The Derby is one of the most important horse races in Great Britain.

Sweetbriar also had two daughters who became important mothers themselves. Their names were Flyer and Hare. Flyer's sons, Rhadamanthus and Daedalus, both went on to win the Derby too! Hare's daughter, Tippitywitchet, also became a very important mother of racehorses.

See also

• List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses