Bloomsbury b c 1836 (Mulatto - Arcot Lass, by Ardrossan). Sire Line Eclipse. Family 9-c.

Bred by Mr Cattle, he was first owned by George Stanhope (1805-1866), 6th Earl of Chesterfield. He subsequently passed into the hands of the latter's trainer, William Ridsdale, brother to Robert Ridsdale, owner of the Derby winner St Giles (ch c 1829 Tramp). Neither Ridsdale was considered a beneficial influence on the sport. Rumour suggested that both St Giles and Bloomsbury had won the Derby as four year olds.

There was also considerable dissension over the pedigree of Bloomsbury. Following Bloomsbury's win in the Derby an objection was lodged by Fulwar Craven, owner of the second place finisher Deception, that Bloomsbury had been incorrectly nominated, his sire shown as "Mulatto" rather than as "Tramp or Mulatto" as indicated in the General Stud Book. The stewards disposed of the matter promptly, however, Mr Weatherby, the stakeholder, declined to pay, and Ridsdale announced his intention of proceeding in a court of law. The Earl of Lichfield lodged a similar complaint against Bloomsbury at Ascot shortly thereafter. The matter was resolved at a Liverpool court, the jury finding for Ridsdale that the stud book was inaccurate, and he was able to collect his stake in both cases. In subsequent editions of the General Stud Book the name of "Tramp" has been expunged as the sire of Bloomsbury.

By all accounts he was a fine looking horse who stood fifteen hands, three inches. A good tempered horse, he was said to have lovely shoulders and powerful quarters although he was thought to toe out somewhat in front. His prominent forehead and expressive eyes and nostrils were considered reminiscent of his eastern heritage.

Bloomsbury was exported to Germany in 1841. There he got two Henckel-Rennen winners, A Better One (b f 1843) and Leonidas (b c 1853), as well as Bessy Bird (b f 1853), the dam of two Preis der Diana winners, Lady Bird (ch f 1866 King of Diamonds) and Caro Dame (b f 1867 King Of Diamonds).

In 1839 Bloomsbury was withdrawn from his first engagement, the Clarendon Stakes at Newmarket, First Spring. At Epsom he won the Derby Stakes, beating Fulwar Craven's Deception (b f 1836 Defence). He went on to win the Ascot Derby Stakes by nearly a length, carrying 5 pounds extra as a consequence of his win at Epsom and at the same place he won a 200 sovereigns sweepstakes in a canter, beating Mr Forth's Sister to Hector (ch f 1836 Priam). In the Great St Leger at Doncaster he finished sixth to Major Yarburgh's Charles the Twelfth (b c 1836 Voltaire), and later that week finished 3rd in a 200 sovereigns sweepstakes, won by Mr Bowes's Epidaurus (b.c. 1836 Langar).

In 1840 he finished third in the Ascot Gold Cup, won by R Pettit's St Francis (b c 1835 St Patrick), followed by the Duke of Grafton's Montreal (b c 1836 Langar), beating five others.

In 1841 he finished fifth in the Ascot Gold Cup, won by Mr Ramsay's Lanercost (br c 1835 Liverpool), and second in the Croxteth Stakes at Liverpool, won by Lord Eglinton's Doctor Caius (b c 1837 Physician), which was his final race.