Walton (horse) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walton |
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Painting of Walton by John Frederick Herring
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| Sire | Sir Peter Teazle |
| Grandsire | Highflyer |
| Dam | Arethusa |
| Damsire | Dungannon |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1799 |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Sir Hedworth Williamson |
| Owner | Sir Hedworth Williamson |
| Record | 25: 16-6-1 |
| Earnings | 1763 gs |
| Major wins | |
| Third Class Oatlands Stakes (1803) First October King's Plate (1803) First Spring King's Plate (1804, 1805) Guildford King's Plate (1804) Salisbury King's Plate (1804) Winchester King's Plate (1804) Warwick King's Plate (1804) Lichfield King's Plate (1804) Match against Penelope (1805) £50 Subscription at Newmarket(1805) Ladies Plate (1805) |
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| Awards | |
| Champion sire of Great Britain (1816, 1818) | |
Walton (born in 1799, died in December 1825) was a famous British Thoroughbred racehorse. He raced for many years, winning 16 out of his 25 races before he was eight years old. His first race was in 1802, and he got his first big win in 1803. Walton went on to win eight special races called King's Plates. He also beat many other top racehorses of his time. Sir Hedworth Williamson owned Walton throughout his racing career. After retiring from racing, Walton became a very successful father to other racehorses. He was even named the best father (champion sire) in Great Britain twice. Some of his most famous children include Phantom, who won the Derby, Nectar, who won the 2000 Guineas, and St Patrick, who won the St. Leger.
Contents
Walton's Early Life and Family
Walton was a bay colt, which means he was a male horse with a reddish-brown body and a black mane and tail. He was born in 1799 and bred by Sir Hedworth Williamson.
His father was a famous horse named Sir Peter Teazle. Sir Peter won the Derby race in 1787. He then became a super successful father to many racehorses, being named the best father in Great Britain ten times! Some of Walton's half-brothers and sisters (who also had Sir Peter as a dad) included Derby winners like Sir Harry and Archduke.
Walton's mother was a mare (female horse) named Arethusa. Walton was the fourth of her thirteen foals (baby horses). Interestingly, Walton's full brother, Ditto, also won the Derby.
Walton's Racing Adventures
Walton raced for several years, showing great skill and speed. Here are some highlights from his career:
Racing in 1802
Walton had his first race on April 20, 1802, at Newmarket. He lost a race where each horse owner put up 100 guineas (an old British coin). Later that year, in June, he raced at Epsom. This race had three two-mile heats. Walton finished third in the first heat but then won the next two, showing his strength and winning the race!
Racing in 1803
On April 13, 1803, Walton won a race called the Third Class of the Oatlands Stakes at Newmarket. He was the least favored horse to win, but he proved everyone wrong! Later that month, he won another race at Newmarket.
At the York August Meeting, Walton raced in a Handicap Sweepstakes. He finished in a dead heat with another horse named Stockton, meaning they crossed the finish line at the exact same time. They had a runoff race, which Stockton won. In his next race, Walton won the King's Plate, a very important race, beating two other horses.
Racing in 1804
Walton had a busy and successful year in 1804. In April, he finished second in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket. A few weeks later, he won the King's Plate at the First Spring Meeting.
In May, at Guildford, he raced for another King's Plate, which was run in three four-mile heats. Walton won the first heat. He came second in the second heat, but then he won the third heat, taking home the victory!
Walton continued his winning streak in July at Salisbury, winning another King's Plate against his only rival. He won yet another King's Plate in August at Winchester. He even won a sweepstakes race without anyone else racing, which is called a walkover. A month later, he won the King's Plate at Warwick. On September 11, he won the Lichfield King's Plate.
Racing in 1805
Walton started his 1805 season in April by winning a special race against a horse named Penelope. He then won a £50 Subscription race at Newmarket, beating two other horses. Two days later, he had another walkover win for the King's Plate.
In July, Walton raced in the Somerset Stakes. He crossed the finish line first, but he was later disqualified because he took the wrong path during the race. This meant the last-place horse, Orville, was declared the winner. Despite this, Walton bounced back quickly. On August 2, he won the County Plate at Lewes. The very next day, he won the four-mile Ladies Plate, beating three other horses.
Racing in 1807
Walton's last race was on March 30, 1807, in the Craven Stakes. He finished second to a horse named Selim. After this race, Walton retired from racing and began his new career as a father.
Walton's Legacy: Becoming a Father
After his racing career, Walton became a Stallion (a male horse used for breeding). He started his new job at Mr. Perren's stables in Newmarket. His fee for breeding was 10 guineas, plus a small fee for the groom. Over time, his fee went up to 20 guineas as he became more famous.
Walton quickly became a very successful father to many racehorses. In 1810, his first children started racing, and they won 27 races! His son, Phantom, won the Derby that year. Walton was named the best father (champion sire) in Great Britain in both 1816 and 1818.
Here are some of his most famous children:
- Phantom (born 1808) – He was amazing! He didn't lose any races as a three-year-old, including winning the Derby. Phantom also became a champion father himself, with his children winning races like the Derby and 2000 Guineas.
- Rainbow (born 1808) – He won the Claret Stakes when he was four years old.
- Walton mare (born 1808) – This daughter of Walton became the mother of Nicolo, who won the 2000 Guineas.
- Spotless (born 1809) – She was the mother of Lamplighter, a good racehorse and father.
- Partisan (born 1811) – He won several races and also became a successful father, with his son Mameluke winning the Derby.
- Walton mare (born 1812) – Another daughter who became the mother of Cedric, a Derby winner.
- Nectar (born 1813) – He won the 2000 Guineas.
- Waterloo (born 1814) – He won the Newmarket St. Leger.
- St Patrick (born 1817) – He won the St. Leger race.
Walton passed away in December 1825, leaving behind a great legacy in the world of horse racing.
