Octavian (horse)

Octavian (1807–1833) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire best known for winning the classic St Leger Stakes in 1810. Despite suffering from hoof problems he was beaten only twice in a nine race career which lasted from April 1810 until September 1812, and which was conducted entirely in Yorkshire. Apart from his classic success, his most important win came in 1812, when he won a division of the Great Subscription Purse at York. He was retired to stud, where he had an early success by siring the St Leger winner Antonio, but his subsequent record was disappointing. Octavian died in 1833 at the age of twenty-six.

Octavian was a chestnut horse bred at Hunmanby

When still a foal, Octavian was spotted and bought by the Duke of Leeds, who was visiting his estate at Seamer near Scarborough. The Duke put his acquisition into training at his private racing stable, which was under the management of Frank Jordan.^[3]

Octavian was unraced as a two-year-old and made his racecourse debut on 26 April 1810 at

Octavian did not appear as a four-year-old until 19 August, when he contested a sweepstakes over four miles at York. He started at odds of 11/8 and won by two lengths^[8] from the six-year-old mare Ceres and the five-year-old Cervantes.^[9] In the following month, Octavian returned to Doncaster's St Leger meeting where he finished fourth in the one and a half mile Fitzwilliam Stakes behind Mr Garforth's two-year-old [sic] colt by Camillus (later named Oiseau), and the 1809 St Leger winner Ashton. Three days later, he defeated Ashton and Ceres in a four mile sweepstakes at the same course, winning at odds of 2/1.^[10]

Octavian was unbeaten in two races in his third and final season. On 26 August he contested the five-year-olds' division of the Great Subscription Purse at York. He won the race at odds of 4/6, his task having been made somewhat easier when one of his three opponents broke down with an injury and another was handicapped by a broken stirrup.^[11] Octavian's last appearance came in a subscription race at Doncaster of 24 September. He started at odds of 5/2 and "won easy"^[12] from Sir Malagigi and Amadis de Gaul.^[13]

In retirement, Octavian remained in the ownership of the Duke of Leeds and stood as a stallion at Oran Farm, near

* Octavian is inbred 3S x 4S × 4D to the stallion Eclipse, meaning that he appears third generation and fourth generation on the sire side of his pedigree and fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree.

* Octavian is inbred 3S x 4D to the stallion Herod, meaning that he appears third generation on the sire side of his pedigree and fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree.