Symmetry (horse) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Symmetry |
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Symmetry defeats Sorcerer at Newmarket on 30 September 1800.
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| Sire | Delpini |
| Grandsire | Highflyer |
| Dam | Violet |
| Damsire | Shark |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1795 |
| Country | Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Colour | Grey |
| Breeder | Sir Thomas Gascoigne, 8th Baronet |
| Owner | Sir Thomas Gascoigne, 8th Baronet William Fortescue, 1st Earl of Clermont Mr Heathcote |
| Trainer | Sam King |
| Record | 13: 7-3-3 |
| Major wins | |
| St Leger Stakes (1798) Match against Sir Harry (1799) Match against Sorcerer (1800) Match against Diamond (1800) Match against Humbug (1800) |
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Symmetry (born in 1795) was a famous British Thoroughbred racehorse. He is best known for winning the important classic race, the St Leger Stakes, in 1798. Symmetry started his racing career in Yorkshire. After winning the St Leger, he went on to beat Derby winner Sir Harry in a special one-on-one race in 1799.
When he was five years old, Symmetry moved to race at Newmarket. There, he lost a rematch with Sir Harry. However, he won his last three races. These included exciting "match races" against Sorcerer and Diamond. These two horses were among the best racers of their time. After his racing days, Symmetry was sold and sent to Russia to become a breeding stallion.
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Symmetry's Background and Family
Symmetry was a beautiful grey horse. He was bred by his owner, Sir Thomas Gascoigne, 8th Baronet. Symmetry got his grey color from his father, Delpini. Delpini was a very successful racehorse himself. He won eight races in a row between 1786 and 1787. Later, Delpini became a top breeding horse in northern England. His offspring were known for their great stamina, meaning they could run long distances.
Symmetry's mother was named Violet. She was also bred by Sir Thomas Gascoigne. Violet was a very successful mother horse. She also gave birth to Theophania, who won the Epsom Oaks race. Symmetry was the third of fourteen foals born to Violet.
Symmetry's Racing Adventures
Three-Year-Old Races (1798)
Symmetry's first race was on April 12 at Catterick Bridge Racecourse in Yorkshire. He came in second out of twelve horses in a two-mile sweepstakes race. A sweepstakes is a race where the prize money comes from the entry fees of the horses.
On May 25, at York Racecourse, Symmetry raced against Lounger. Lounger had won the St Leger in 1797. Symmetry carried twelve pounds less weight than Lounger. They ran so close that it was a dead heat, meaning they finished at the exact same time. However, Symmetry lost in a tie-breaking run-off race. Three weeks later, Symmetry got his first win. He beat five other three-year-olds in a one-and-a-half-mile sweepstakes at Beverley Racecourse.
After a two-month break, Symmetry raced again at York in August. He was the favorite to win, but he finished third. On September 25, Symmetry was one of ten horses in the St Leger race at Doncaster Racecourse. Symmetry was the second favorite to win. Ridden by John Jackson, Symmetry won the classic race! This was Sir Thomas Gascoigne's second win in the St Leger.
Four-Year-Old Challenges (1799)
In August 1799, Sir Harry, who won the 1798 Epsom Derby, came north. He was there for a special "match race" against Symmetry at York. A match race is when only two horses race against each other. Sir Harry was expected to win, but Symmetry beat him! Symmetry won a prize of 500 guineas. A guinea was a type of British gold coin. People thought Sir Harry might have lost because the ground was very wet and soft. Everyone was already excited for a rematch at Newmarket.
Symmetry's only other race in 1799 was two days after his match race win. He was the favorite, but he finished last out of three horses.
Five-Year-Old Triumphs (1800)
In their first race, Symmetry carried less weight than Sir Harry. For their rematch on April 28 at Newmarket, Symmetry carried a little more weight. Both horses were equally favored to win. This time, Sir Harry won the race and a prize of 200 guineas.
Symmetry stayed at Newmarket and was bought by William Fortescue, 1st Earl of Clermont. A third match race between Symmetry and Sir Harry was planned for May 14. But Sir Harry was pulled out of the race. This meant Lord Clermont won 50 guineas without Symmetry even having to run. This is called a "forfeit." On June 26, Symmetry finished third in a four-mile sweepstakes race at Bibury.
Symmetry returned for Newmarket's "First October meeting." By this time, he was racing in the purple and white colors of Mr Heathcote. On September 30, he beat Sorcerer in a 500 guinea match race. This race was about one and a quarter miles long.
Symmetry finished his racing career with two more match races at the Newmarket Houghton meeting in October. On October 27, he beat Diamond for 200 guineas. Two days later, he successfully gave a fourteen-pound weight advantage to Humbug and still won for 50 guineas. Symmetry was entered in two more races the next spring, but he did not run. Mr Heathcote paid the forfeit instead.
Symmetry's Life After Racing
Symmetry never became a breeding stallion in Britain. He was sold and sent to Russia to breed horses there. The exact date he left Britain is not known.
