Escape (GB)
 
 


Escape

 

 

 

Sire Line


Highflyer

 

 

 

 Escape b c 1785 (Highflyer - Mare, by Squirrel). Sire Line Highflyer. Family 27.

Escape was bred by HRH the Prince of Wales, later King George IV, and sold for 95 guineas at the sale of his stud in 1786 to Mr Franco. The Prince repurchased him after his second race in 1789, in which he beat the Prince's horse, Canto Baboo (b c 1785 Eclipse), in a match for 200 guineas. He was named by Mr Franco for his fortuitous escape from injury when he kicked through the boards in his stall one night. His trainer made a light night check and found him with one of his legs entangled but managed to free him without further damage.

Although he ran well overall for the Prince as a five- and six-year old, controversy arose over his performance in two races at Newmarket. The first of these transpired on October 20, 1791, in which Escape ran fourth and last for a purse of 60 guineas, beaten by Coriander, Skylark and Pipator. The next day he won a purse of 60 guineas, beating Chanticleer, Skylark, Grey Diomed, Harpator and Alderman. Immediately following the second race insinuations arose over the conduct of the jockey, Samuel Chifney, who had ridden Escape in both races. Chifney, an experienced and skillful horseman, had been employed by the Prince since mid-1790, as his private jockey.

Along with these allegations, the apparent reversal of the form of Escape attracted the notice of the stewards of the Jockey Club. The stewards, Sir Charles Bunbury, Ralph Dutton and Thomas Panton, having examined the affair managed to convey to the Prince that should he continue to employ Chifney to ride for him that no gentleman would start against him. The Prince, however, retained his belief in Chifney and refused to "sacrifice" him. Accordingly, the Prince announced his own retirement from the turf.

Escape likewise retired from the turf. His most distinguished offspring was Emigrant (b c 1794) who won the July Stakes. Another son, Jonah* (b c 1795), was sent to America.

 
Pedigree
Escape Highflyer King Herod Tartar
Cypron
Rachel Blank
Sister to South
Sister to Nanette Squirrel Traveller
Grey Bloody Buttocks
Babraham Mare Babraham
Golden Ball Mare
Race Record
 
At 3: won a 200 guineas match at Newmarket First October, beating Lord Barrymore's Feenow (b c 1785 Tandem) over the Rowley Mile, won the Town Plate, beating the Duke of Grafton's Minos (bl.  1785 Justice) and six others over the Ditch In Course.
 
At 4: won a 200 guineas match at Newmarket First Spring, beating the Prince of Wales's Canto Baboo (b c 1785 Eclipse) over the Ditch In Course, won a 200 guineas match at Newmarket First October, from Lord Barrymore's Nimble (b f 1784 Florizel) over the Across the Flat Course, at Newmarket Second Spring, collected 50 guineas each from Lord Grosvenor's Alexander (ch c 1782 Eclipse) and Mr Vernon's Clown (b c 1785 Bourdeaux) for a 200 guineas each sweep, lost a 300 guineas match at Newmarket First Spring, won by Lord Clermont's Harpator (bl c 1784 Imperator) over the Duke's Course.
 
At 5: won a 500 guineas match at Newmarket Craven, beating Grey Diomed (gr c 1785 Diomed) over the Beacon Course, won the Great Subscription Purse at York in August, beating Mr Garforth's Actaeon (ch c 1785 Orpheus) and Mr Wentworth's Gustavus (b c 1785 Young Morwick), 2nd in the 100 guineas each Oatlands at Ascot, won by the Rt Hon Charles James Fox's Seagull (br c 1786 Woodpecker) "by a head," 2nd in a Great Subscription at York won by the Duke of Norfolk's Dubskelper (b c 1782 Phlegon), 2nd in the 140 guineas Subscription at Newmarket First October, won by the Duke of Bedford's Derby winner Skyscraper (b c 1786 Highflyer), over the Beacon Course.
 
At 6: won a 350 guineas sweep at Newmarket Craven, beating Lord Grosvenor's Skylark (b c 1786 Highflyer) and Highlander (gr c 1783 Bourdeaux), won a 1000 guineas match at Newmarket First October, beating Grey Diomed over the Beacon Course, beat Grey Diomed again in the 140 guineas Subscription over the Beacon Course, won 60 guineas, beating Lord Barrymore's Chanticleer (ch c 1787 Woodpecker), Skylark, Grey Diomed, Harpator and Mr Barton's, or Burton's, Alderman (b c 1787 Pot8os) over the Beacon Course, his final race, 4th and last in a 60 guineas purse at Newmarket, Second October, won by Francis Dawson's Coriander (b c 1786 Pot8os), followed by Skylark and Pipator, unplaced in the Oatlands at Ascot, won by the Prince of Wales's Baronet (b c 1785 Vertumnus).
 
Jonah (GB)*
 
b c 1795 (Escape - Lavender, by Herod). Sire Line Highflyer. Family 4. Jonah was bred by Samuel Baker, from the dam of the good racehorse and stallion Coriander (b c 1786 Pot8os). Baker was said to have refused an offer of 1200 guineas for him from Joseph Cookson, breeder of the Derby winner Sir Harry (br c 1795 Sir Peter Teazle). Racing from 1798 through 1801, he was "allowed to be the best four year old horse in England". He was purchased by Gracie Anderson & Company, London, and consigned to Governor James Turner of Warren County, North Carolina, along with Magic* (ch c 1794 Volunteer). He was probably purchased by Caleb Boush of Princess Anne County, Virginia, and stood his first season in America with Robert Rivers at Hicks Ford, Greensville County, Virginia. He later stood in a number of places in both North Carolina and Virginia. Described as a "truly elegant high bred horse," he stood 16 hands and threw stock that was "remarkably large and handsome". However, his offspring were also indifferent on the turf and he instead established a reputation for getting valuable saddle and harness stock.