Timoleon (horse)
For the Greek statesman of this name, see Timoleon.
| Timoleon | |
|---|---|
Chestnut | |
| Breeder | Benjamin Jones |
| Owner | J.J. Harrison Colonel David Dancy |
| Record | about 15 starts for 13 wins, 2 seconds |
| Last updated on 2 October 2010 | |
Timoleon (foaled in either 1813 or 1814, depending on source*), was an American
Background
A
Racing record
At three, Timoleon was purchased by William Wynn of Petersburg, Virginia who seems to have regretted his purchase because Timoleon was rapidly sold on to Robert R. Johnson. Wynn then went through an immediate change of heart. Ten days after selling the horse, he offered to buy him back for a thousand dollars more than his selling price, saying he was, "...superior to any race horse that ever turned a gravel on any race course in the United States".[2] Of his racing career at age three, it is known that he won the colt purse at Petersburg in straight heats, covering the mile in 1:47 and 1:48, distancing the field in the second heat. Earlier that same day, he had won a half mile match against a Potomac colt. Later that same year, he lost the Post Stake at Petersburg to Reality, winning the first heat in 3:46 before losing the next two "for want of strength in the rider."[1]
Timoleon was the "Pride of Virginia." But racing so long ago, the actual statistics on his career on the track are hard to trace. It seems he might have started 15 times and that he won 13 of those starts, which were over the then-usual distances of three or four miles. It also seems he might have won all fifteen if he'd been entered in better form.[3] Four of his wins were "walk-overs." In his day if a horse like Timoleon was scheduled to compete but no horse could be found to challenge him, then he (or she) would be allowed to canter the course, winning the purse and the race. It is certain he defeated some of the best horses of his time. He defeated the two best daughters of Sir Archy: Reality and Lady Lightfoot, who were both highly regarded.[2] The only horses that ever beat him were the aforementioned Reality and the highly regarded mare Transport.
His final race took place in February 1818. He'd suffered with equine distemper (also called Strangles) a week before, was still entered, but had to be pulled up with respiratory problems, his second and last defeat.[3]
Stud record
Timoleon then stood briefly at stud at the farm of Johnson and Wynn's stables in
Timoleon proved to be a good sire, even if only by producing Boston who sired the outstanding sire Lexington. He also sired:
- Sally Walker, his best filly, was considered one of the best in her day
- Washington who defeated the great Henry
- Hotspur, a notable four-mile horse[1]
He was also an influential sire in the development of the American Quarter Horse breed.[4]
He died in 1836, at the age of 23 years.[1]
Sire line tree
Timoleon descendants (click to expand)
|
|---|
|
Pedigree
| Sire Sir Archy 1805 |
Diomed 1777 |
Florizel | Herod |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cygnet mare | |||
| Sister to Juno | Spectator | ||
| Horatia | |||
| Castianira 1796 |
Rockingham | Highflyer | |
| Purity | |||
| Tabitha | Trentham | ||
| Bosphorus mare | |||
| Dam Saltram mare 1801 |
Saltram 1780 |
Eclipse | Marske |
| Spilleta | |||
| Virago | Snap | ||
| Regulus Mare | |||
| Wildair mare 1794 |
Wildair | Fearnaught | |
| Kitty Fisher | |||
| Driver Mare | Driver | ||
| Fallower mare |
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Hervey, John (1944). Race in America 1665-1865 [II]. New York: The Jockey Club. p. 22.
- ^ a b c d Biography: Timoleon
- ^ a b c Baseball Magazine
- ^ a b c The Bloodlines Chart
- ^ Byerley Turk Line
- ^ Herod Sire Line
- ^ Steel Dust Pedigree
- ^ Portraits: Boston
- ^ Biography: Boston
- ^ Hall of Fame: Boston
- ^ a b c Tom Bowling, The Wild Horse
- ^ Biography: Lecomte
- ^ Lecomte: The short life but long legacy of a Louisiana racing hero
- ^ Portraits: Lexington
- ^ Biography: Lexington
- ^ Hall of Fame: Lexington
- ^ American Classic Pedigree: Lexington
- ^ Biography: War Dance
- ^ American Classic Pedigrees: War Dance
- ^ Studbook: Early A
- ^ Grant the Equestrian
- ^ Hall of Fame: Kentucky
- ^ Early Studbook: IJK
- ^ a b c Portraits: Norfolk
- ^ Portraits: Emperor of Norfolk
- ^ Hall of Fame: Emperor of Norfolk
- ^ a b Long before Chrome, El Rio Rey brought horse racing fame to N. Nevada
- ^ American Classic Pedigrees: Apollo
- ^ American Classic Pedigrees: Lord Murphy
- ^ Hall of Fame: Preakness
- ^ Hall of Fame: Harry Bassett
- ^ Hall of Fame: Tom Bowling
- ^ Hall of Fame: Tom Ochiltree
- ^ Hall of Fame: Duke of Magenta
- “The History of Thoroughbred Racing in America,” by William H.P. Robertson, Bonanza Books, New York
(*Australian Stud Book says 1814. Bloodlines says 1813.)