Bred at Gog Magog near Babraham, Cambridgeshire, by Francis Leonard Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin, he was sold to Mr Greville in 1746, then to Mr Haydon, and eventually to Peregrine Bertie (1714-1778), 3rd Duke of Ancaster.

Described in Lord Godolphin's stud book [Early Records:147] as a bay colt with no white markings, he was the sixth foal of his dam, Amorett, who was referred to as the "Little Hartley Mare" in the General Stud Book. He was full brother to Janus (b c 1738) and Old England [ex-Slugg] (b c 1741), and half brother to Shakespeare (ch c 1745 Hobgoblin).

Racing for Mr Greville, he was defeated at Newmarket in April of 1746 by Mr Panton's Sloe (bl c 1740 Crab) in a Sweepstakes for 100gs, half-forfeit, for 5 year olds carrying 8 stone over 4 miles. At Newmarket in October of 1746, racing for Mr Haydon, he was defeated by Mr Stamford's Moorcock (gr c 1740 Hutton's Blacklegs) for 50 guineas, carrying 9 stone 4 pounds over 4 miles. Still racing for Mr Haydon, Blank beat Mr Stamford's Cumberland (b c 1741 Fletcher's Arabian) at Newmarket in April of 1748, both carrying 9 stone over 3 miles for 30 guineas.

He entered the Ancaster stud at Grimsthorpe in Lincolnshire where, despite his failure on the turf, he was afterwards held in the highest esteem as a stallion. His sons Paymaster and Pacolet were successful stallions in England, whilst his son Centinel* and grandson Citizen* were both influential in the Carolinas. Although daughters such as Golden Grove, Horatia and Rutilia left their patrician hoof prints on the English stud book none exerted more influence than Rachel, dam of the mighty Highflyer.

Blank was Champion Sire in 1762, 1764 and 1770. He died at Grimsthorpe in 1770.

Notable Offspring

Ancaster (GB)

b c 1768 (Blank - Phoebe, by Tortoise). Sire Line Godolphin Arabian. Family 2. Bred by the 3rd Duke of Ancaster, he was sold to Peregrine Wentworth when still a colt. In 1773 he won 300 guineas at Newmarket, First Spring Meeting, beating Mr Pigot's Lycurgus over the Beacon Course. In August he won a 200 guineas each sweepstakes at York, beating Mr Stapleton's Mopsqueezer over four miles, with Mopsqueezer running off the course and Mr Shafto's Pioneer paying a forfeit. In August of 1774 he placed 2nd in the Subscription at York, won by Trentham, beating Carabineer, Florizel, Nestor, Augur, Amaranthus and Mopsqueezer. In September he won the Richmond Gold Cup, beating Sir John Lister Kaye's Perdita over four miles in what was called "an exceeding fine race". In 1775 he collected a half forfeit from Lord Ossory's Chalkstone at Newmarket, First Spring. In August he beat Lord Rockingham's Hotspur (Matchem) at York over four miles. In 1776 he ran a dead heat with Lord Clermont's Hercules at Newmarket, Second Spring, then collected a half forfeit from Mr Stapleton's Tuberose. In September he won the Wakefield Gold Cup, beating Mr Brigg's Poor Farmer [ex-Terrare] (Matchem) over four miles. Later the same month he won the £50 Corporation purse at Doncaster, beating Lord Rockingham's grey colt (Saanah Arabian) and Mr Read's Opinion over four miles. In 1778 he won 100 guineas at York, beating Sir Walter Vavasour's Hypocrite (Omnium). His mare book was limited in the stud although he is credited with producing fine hunters and road horses. His best daughter, Ancaster Mare, not only contributed to Family 21, but was also the 2nd dam of the useful stallion Shakespeare (b c 1806 Shuttle).

Centinel (GB)

ch c 1758 (Blank - Naylor, by Cade). Sire Line Godolphin Arabian. Family 1-a. Bred by the Duke of Ancaster, Centinel was a full brother to Contest (ch c 1753). He raced from 1763 to 1765 in England, winning four of five starts. Sent to South Carolina in 1765 and described as a handsome chestnut standing 15 hands 2 inches, he possessed the most aristocratic pedigree of any horse thus far imported. He covered at the John's Island stud of the Fenwick's during the seasons from 1766 to 1768. Back in training in 1768 he defeated Mr Wilkinson's Noble (b c 1763 Brutus*) in a South Carolina match race. From 1769 to 1775 he stood at Charles Town in the John Gibbes stud, then moved back to John's Island for the seasons from 1776 to 1778. His last record was at the Greensville County, Virginia, stud of of D Wilkins, where he covered from 1779 to 1784. Many of his offspring disappeared into the revolutionary war, however, he left a few notable daughters on the Roanoke. He was the damsire of the distinguished stallion Old Collector (Lee's Mark Anthony) and his half brother Rattle (Shark*). He also got Rosetta (b f 1785), 3rd dam of Virginian (b c 1815 Sir Archy), and his unnamed daughter, Centinel Mare, was the 4th dam of the celebrated race mare Fashion (ch f 1837 Trustee*) as well as a contributor to American Family A44.

Chatsworth (GB)

ch c 1762 (Blank - Fairy, by Shepherd's Crab). Sire Line Godolphin Arabian. Family 6. Bred by the Duke of Ancaster, Chatsworth was later sold to Peregrine Wentworth and Sir Lawrence Dundas. A durable consistent runner, he raced for six years, numbering among his victories the Richmond Gold Cup in 1767, in which he also placed 2nd in 1768 and 1769. Probably his finest race was his victory in the Subscription Purse at York in 1769, in which he beat the celebrated runners Gimcrack (gr c 1760 Cripple) and Bay Malton (b c 1760 Sampson) among others. He also won a 300 guineas match at Newmarket against Pacolet (gr c 1763 Blank) and another 300 guineas match at the same place against Metaphysician (b c 1763 Snap). He covered at Oliver, near Richmond in Yorkshire for a fee of five guineas. His notable contribution to the stud book was his daughter, Chatsworth Mare (f 1775) who was the dam of the stallions Abba Thulle (b c 1786 Young Marske) and Arra Kooker* (br c 1789 Drone).

Chrysolite (GB)

ch c 1763 (Blank - Ancaster Blossom, by Crab). Sire Line Godolphin Arabian. Family 6. Bred at Grimsthorpe by the Duke of Ancaster, he ran for three years. In October of 1766 he won £50 at Newmarket, beating the Duke of Kingston's Credit (ch c 1763 Cub), Lord Bolingbroke's Nettle (gr f 1763 Bajazet), Sir Charles Bunbury's Bellario (b c 1763 Brilliant) and eleven others over two miles. At the Second Spring Meeting in 1767 he won the 25 guineas each Ascot Subscription, beating Lord Grosvenor's Pacolet (gr c 1763 Blank), Mr Vernon's Protector (b c 1763 Shepherd's Crab) and three others. In 1768 at the Second October Meeting, he lost a 1000 guineas match to Lord Bolingbroke's Darling (bl c 1763 Snap), during which his tendons gave out and he was taken out of training. Chrysolite stood at Grimsthorpe from 1769 to 1775 with his fee at 20 guineas; for several years he was limited to only fifteen outside mares. His fee dropped to 5 guineas in 1780 and he was eventually presented to John Smyth of Heath, near Wakefield in Yorkshire. Afterwards he was given to Thomas Matchan of Towthorpe, near York, where he covered for several seasons. He got a good number of winners and left several useful daughters. He was damsire of Dare Devil* (b c 1787 Magnet) who was sent to Virginia in 1795 and proved invaluable there. Chrysolite died in the summer of 1788 at York.

Contest (GB)

ch c 1753 (Blank - Naylor, by Cade). Sire Line Godolphin Arabian. Family 1-a. Full brother to Centinel* (ch c 1758), Contest was also bred by the Duke of Ancaster. He was later sold to Thomas Panton. In 1758 he won a purse worth nearly £450 at York, defeating Lord Scarborough's Cademus (b c 1753 Cade), Mr Hutton's Vixen (b f 1753 Regulus), Lord Rockingham's Osmar (b c 1752 Oroonoko) and the Duke of Cumberland's Muley (b c 1753 Muley Ishmael). In May of 1759 he collected a forfeit from the Duke of Cumberland's Spider (ch c 1752 Young Cartouch) at Newmarket, then won the King's Plate at Winchester, beating Lord Chedworth's Dormouse (bbr c 1755 Dormouse), Mr Stuart's Hartley (gr c 1754 Spinner Colt), Lord Gower's Invalid (b c 1753 Gower Stallion) and Mr Eliott's Trifle (b c 1753 Trifle) in three heats. Purchased by Mr Panton, he did not start in either 1760 or 1761. In April of 1762 he won 300 guineas and £50 a mile at Newmarket, beating the Duke of Cumberland's Dapper (br c 1755 Cade) over the Beacon Course, with Contest leading for the first mile and Dapper, a half- brother to King Herod (b c 1758 Tartar), falling around the mile and three-quarter mark. Contest left no relevant offspring.

Fallower (GB)

ch c 1759 (Blank - Spinster, by Croft's Partner). Sire Line Godolphin Arabian. Family 4-b. Although the General Stud Book does not credit Spinster, the Widdrington Mare, with a foal of 1759, Mr Prior discovered in a manuscript, among the "trainers' lot" at Newmarket in 1763, a note of the four year Follower [E2:143]. He is recorded in Heber's Racing Calendar on the turf in England from 1763 to 1765, after which he was sent to South Carolina. He was in residence at the Fenwick's John's Island stud in 1766 and advertised for sale in 1767, which is the last record of him. Fallower* is generally credited with the 4th cross in the mare line of Timoleon (ch c 1814 Sir Archy), the sire of the great Boston (ch c 1833), although this remains unproven.

Pacolet (GB)

gr c 1763 (Blank - Whiteneck, by Crab). Sire Line Godolphin Arabian. Family 9. Pacolet was bred by the Duke of Ancaster from a mare he had purchased from the Godolphin stud in 1756. He was later sold to Lord Grosvenor and then to Mr Garforth. In 1767 he won the 100 guineas Jockey Club Plate at Newmarket, Second Spring, beating the Duke of Kingston's Lash (Lofty), Sir C Sedley's Presto (b c 1763 Newcombe Arabian), Mr Wentworth's Auletes (Blank), Sir C Bunbury's Midas (Blank), the Duke of Northumberland's Constantine (Perseus), Mr Shafto's Scamperantiphos (Regulus) and four others over the Round Course. At the same meeting he placed 2nd in the Ascot Stakes, won by Chrysolite (ch c 1763 Blank), beating Protector, Lash and others. At the July meeting he placed 2nd in a 100 guineas each sweepstakes, won by Sulphur (gr c 1762 Spectator), beating Metaphysician (b c 1763 Snap), Magog and Shy. In 1768 he won 500 guineas at Newmarket, First Spring, beating Mr Meynell's Trinidado (Matchless) over the Beacon Course. He next won 140 guineas, beating Sir Charles Bunbury's Bellario (b c 1763 Brilliant) and Mr Shafto's Chequino (b c 1763 Snap) over the Beacon Course. At the Second Spring Meeting he won a 25 guineas each subscription, beating the Duke of Ancaster's Vision (ch c 1764 Blank), Mr Shafto's Petruchio (br c 1762 Snap) and Sir J Moore's bay filly (South). In June he won a £50 weight for age race at Ipswich, beating Sir C Bunbury's Tetotum (Snap) and distanced Mr Grill's Nun of the Vale. At the First October Meeting he lost a race to Marquis and Bellario, beating Pilgrim. In 1769 he won a £50 give and take plate, beating Mr Charteris's Slug (Merryman). In September he won another £50 give and take at Shrewsbury, beating Mr Quick's Droll (Skim). Later in September he won a £50 give and take at Lichfield, beating Mr Hall's Sprightly, Mr Vane's Clever and Mr Squire's Little David. In August of 1770 he won a £50 give and take at Conway, beating Mr Kyssin's Compton, his last race. Purchased by Mr Garforth, he was used as a hack for several years. He covered very few mares, despite which he got the fine mare Faith (gr f 1779), dam of the good stallion Camillus (gr c 1803 Hambletonian) and the durable Citizen. The Turf Register suggests that had he been used more he would have proven himself equal if not superior to any stallion of his day [Pick 1:445].

Paymaster (GB)

[ex-Jesmond] b c 1766 (Blank - Snapdragon, by Snap). Sire Line Godolphin Arabian. Family 3-a. Bred by Jenison Shafto, he was purchased by Lord Bolingbroke after his first race in 1770, then by Robert Pigott after his last race in 1770, and by Mr Strode before his last race in 1771. In 1770 he won a 500 guineas each sweepstakes at Newmarket, First Spring, beating Mr Fenton's Treasurer (b c 1766 Sampson) over the Beacon Course; Lord Bolingbroke's Orpheus (gr c 1766 Matchem) paid a forfeit. At the Second Spring Meeting he won the Jockey Club Plate, beating Lord March's Belinda (gr f 1766 Bell's Arabian), Lord Rockingham's Ramjam (b c 1767 Whistlejacket), Mr Ottley's Portius (ch c 1766 Cato), Mr Shafto's Harpy (b f 1766 Snap), the Duke of Kingston's Crito (ch c 1766 Warren's Careless) and Lord Ossory's Jesuit (Sweepstakes) over the Round Course. In May he beat Lord Clermont's Brillianté (ch f 1766 Brilliant) for 300 guineas over the Beacon Course. At the First October Meeting he collected a 100 guineas compromise from Lord Farnham's Bucephalus (ch c 1764 Regulus). He next lost a race to Lord Rockingham's Solon (br c 1766 Sampson) at the Second October Meeting. In 1771 he won £50 at Newmarket, First Spring, beating the Duke of Kingston's Cossack (gr c 1766 Warren's Careless), Mr Wildman's Frolic (br c 1764 Scampston Cade), Mr Burlton's Seraphina (br f 1766 Blank), Mr Coxe's Tribune (b c 1766 Gibson's Arabian) and Lord Craven's Cotillion over the Round Course. He won 200 guineas at Newmarket, Second Spring, beating Mr Wentworth's Chanter (Whistlejacket) over the Beacon Course. He next won 100 guineas at the Houghton Meeting, beating Mr Burlton's Tamerlane (bbr c 1766 Captain) over the Beacon Course. In 1772 he won 100 guineas at Newmarket, Second Spring, beating Mr Walker's Florinda (bbr f 1767 Sampson) over the Round Course. At the same meeting he won 50 guineas, beating Lord Clermont's Suffolk (ch c 1767 King Herod) over the Round Course. In June he lost the King's Plate at Guildford to Mr Gulston's Endymion (b c 1766 Northumberland). In July he won the King's Plate at Winchester, beating Mr Bailey's Molly Longlegs, Mr Gulston's Endymion, Lord Craven's Phoebus (ch c 1766 Matchem), Mr Ogilvy's Faggergill and Mr Lane's Cull in three heats. At the end of July he won the King's Plate at Canterbury, beating Mr Wildman's Frolic, and in August he won the King's Plate at Lewes, beating Mr Gulston's Scamander (Blank) and Mr Davison's Amicus (Cadet) in three heats. At the end of August he won the King's Plate at Lincoln, beating Mr Parson's roan mare, who was withdrawn after the first heat. Also at Lincoln he walked-over for £50. In 1773 he won 500 guineas at Newmarket, First October, beating Mr Foley's Firetail (b c 1769 Squirrel) over the Beacon Course. He won a 200 guineas each sweepstakes at the same meeting, beating Lord Rockingham's Solon over the Beacon Course. In his last start of the season he won a 100 guineas each sweepstakes at Newmarket, Second October, beating Lord Clermont's Merry Traveller (gr c 1767 Creeper) over the Beacon Course. Paymaster covered at Bishop Burton, near Beverley, Yorkshire, then at Mr Raithby's farm, Delrow, near Oldenham, Hertfordshire, and at Field House, near Darlington, with a fee as high as 10 guineas in his early years. He got the St Leger winner Paragon (b c 1783) as well as a number of colts who were exported to America. He died at Darlington in 1791.