Gang Forward

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Gang Forward
2000 Guineas (1873)
St James's Palace Stakes (1873)
Ascot Derby (1873)
Jockey Club Cup (1874)
Craven Stakes
(1875)

Gang Forward (1870–1899) was a British

sire
. In a racing career which lasted from 1872 until 1874 he won ten races. He was one of the best colts of his generation in England, winning the 2000 Guineas in 1873. He later became a successful sire of winners in Australia.

Background

Gang Forward, described as "a remarkably handsome, powerful colt"

leading sire. Gang Forward was trained at Manton in Wiltshire by Alec Taylor Sr., who had established his training facility there in 1870 under the patronage of Stirling-Crawfurd.[5]

Racing career

1872: two-year-old season

Gang Forward began his racing career in September 1872, when he contested the Municipal Plate at

1/5 but was beaten into second place by an unnamed colt later named Fontabrian. It was subsequently revealed that he had been hampered by having twisted at least two of his racing plates during the race, although other sources attributed his defeat to his being "very backward".[4] At the First October meeting at Newmarket he recorded his first victory when winning the Boscawen Stakes by a head from Surinam. Later at the same meeting he beat Paladin by a neck to win the Triennial Produce Stakes. At the end of October, Gang Forward ran twice at Newmarket's Houghton meeting and claimed two more prizes. He won the Glasgow Stakes from Andred and Surinam after a "fine race"[1] and then was allowed to walk over
for a first prize of £500 in a Sweepstakes when his opponents were withdrawn.

Gang Forward went into the winter break as one of the leading fancies for the following year's Classics alongside Kaiser and Flageolet.[6]

1873: three-year-old season

Gang Forward made his first appearance of 1873 in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on 30 April and started at odds of 8/1 against nine opponents, with Kaiser being made 15/8 favourite. The race attracted an extremely large crowd and there was a delay to the start as spectators were cleared from the course. Ridden by Tom Challoner, Gang Forward was among the front-runners from the start and two furlongs from the finish he was moved forward to dispute the lead with Kaiser. The two colts drew away from the rest of the field and after a "good race"[7] Gang Forward prevailed by a head from the favourite, with Suleiman three lengths back in third place.[8] Immediately after his win, Gang Forward was made clear favourite for the Derby at odds of 9/4.[9]

At Epsom on 28 May Gang Forward started 9/4 favourite for the Derby in a field of twelve runners. He was among the early leaders but then dropped back before running on in the straight.

Ascot Derby
.

Gang Forward was strongly fancied the

St Leger after performing impressively in training with Challoner claiming that the horse was better than ever. He was to be transported to Doncaster by train, but only reached Oxford, where he was removed from his carriage and found to be lame as a result of a hock injury.[13] He was immediately withdrawn from the Doncaster Classic, in which the filly Marie Stuart defeated Doncaster and Kaiser.[14]

Gang Forward's earnings for the 1873 season totalled £5,000.[15]

1874 & 1875: four- and five- year-old seasons

Gang Forward was less successful as a four-year-old when he was campaigned in staying races. At Royal Ascot, Gang Forward turned into the straight in second place in the

Jockey Club Cup. In the following year he recorded his last major victory in the Craven Stakes
.

Stud career

In 1875 Gang Forward was sold for 4000 guineas to Sir Thomas Elder

Goodwood Handicap), Guesswork (South Australian Derby) and Remus (VRC Mares' Produce Stakes). He was euthanised due to old age in May 1899.[18]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Gang Forward (GB), chestnut stallion, 1870
Sire
Stockwell (GB)
1849 		The Baron
1842
Birdcatcher
 Sir Hercules
Guiccioli
Echidna Economist
Miss Pratt
Pocahontas
1837
Glencoe
 Sultan
Trampoline
Marpessa Muley
Clare
Dam
Lady Mary (GB)
1854 		Orlando
1841 		Touchstone Camel
Banter
Vulture Langar
Kite
Splitvote
1841 		St. Luke Bedlamite
Eliza Leeds
Electress Election
Stamford mare (Family:2-u)[19]

References

  1. ^ a b "Sporting Notes". Otago Witness. 31 May 1873. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  2. ^ "untitled". Auckland Star. 7 June 1878. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Stirling Clan Homepage". Scotclans.com. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Dubbo General Entry". Australian Town & Country Journal. 10 May 1873. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  5. ^ Paul Mathieu, The Masters of Manton from Alec Taylor to George Todd, quoted in Racing Post, 22 Nov. 2019 "Manton: Continuous flow of success from lush pastures, Nick Pulford traces its beginnings in the 1870s to the present day"[1]
  6. ^ "Sporting Notes". Otago Witness. 19 April 1873. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  7. ^ "The Two Thousand Guineas Stakes". Rockhampton Bulletin. 10 July 1873. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  8. ^ "Latest English News". Grey River Argus. 14 May 1873. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  9. ^ "Cable Telegrams". Otago Witness. 17 May 1873. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  10. ^ "The Epsom Derby". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 July 1873. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  11. ^ "Anchovies and Toast". Auckland Star. 12 August 1873. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  12. ^ "The Prince of Wales Stakes". Australian Town & Country Journal. 23 August 1873. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  13. ^ "English Turf. Doncaster Races.—The St. Leger". Australian Town & Country Journal. 22 November 1873. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  14. ^ "Sporting". Taranaki Herald. 24 September 1873. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  15. ^ "English Sporting". Australian Town and Country Journal. 28 February 1874. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  16. ^ "The Cup Day at Ascott". Empire. Sydney. 26 August 1874. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  17. ^ "Australian Items". Southland Times. 27 December 1875. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  18. ^ a b "Destruction of Gang Forward". Auckland Star. 5 May 1899. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  19. ^ "Splitvote – Family 2-u". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
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