Courtesy of Fores Gallery
Sire Line
Birdcatcher
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The Baron ch c 1842 (Birdcatcher
- Echidna, by Economist). Sire Line
Birdcatcher.
Family 24. Bred by George Watts, a
veterinary surgeon, of
Dublin, he was a half brother to the Anglesey Stakes and Railway Plate
winner Citron (br f 1853 Sweetmeat). He was purchased by John Scott
before his St Leger win and was sold after his win in the Cesarewitch
to R E Clark.
After an auspicious start in
Ireland, where The Baron won three of his first four races, Mr
Watts sent him to England. John Scott was on the Stand at
Liverpool with Lord Wilton for The Baron's less than promising
run for the St Leger there, where he went unplaced, but
nevertheless Scott saw a Doncaster St Leger winner in him. "The
Druid" noted that he "was then fat as a bull, and had bar shoes,
and fearfully festered soles; and had been made twice the savage
he was by being muzzled." Sent to Malton he was at first a
"rough snappish customer" who needed, said John Scott, "more
work, and more careful management, than any horse he ever
trained".
After his turf career he was bought by Mr Theobald and sent to his Stockwell
stud. He had yet to show much promise as a stallion when Mr Theobald
included The Baron in his 1849 sale. Stockwell (ch c 1849) had
just been foaled, and his dam Pocahontas (b f 1837
Glencoe)
bred back to The Baron which would produce
Rataplan (ch c 1850)
the following year, and it could scarcely be imagined that
Stockwell would merit the title of "Emperor of Stallions" and
become tail-male ancestor to over 90% of thoroughbred racehorses
in the 21st century through his descendant
Phalaris (br c 1913
Polymelus). In any event The Baron
was purchased by M Perrot de Thaunberg and sent to France where
he spent the remainder of his days.
The Baron |
Birdcatcher |
Sir
Hercules |
Whalebone |
Peri |
Guiccioli |
Bob
Booty |
Flight |
Echidna |
Economist |
Whisker |
Floranthe |
Miss
Pratt |
Blacklock |
Gadabout |
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Race Record |
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In 1845 finished
3rd for the 25 sovs each Madrid Stakes at the Curragh,
won by Colonel White's Highwayman (b c Freney), with Mr
Irwin's Hermit (bl c Birdcatcher) placing 2nd, beating 2
others. At the same meeting won the 2nd class of the
Madrid Stakes, beating Highwayman and Mr Fitzpatrick's
Brother to Kerdiffstown (br c Conjuror) with The Baron
conceding 8 pounds to each. Won the 50 sovs each Kirwan
Stakes at the Curragh in June, beating Mr Quin's Wheel
(b f Camel) and Mr Nolan's The Cook (br f
Birdcatcher).
At the same meeting won the 25 sovs each Waterford
Stakes, beating Mr Irwin's Ould Ireland (b c
Blacklock),
Mr Rynde's Will-o'-the-Wisp (b c Ishmael)
and Mr Balfe's Violet (ch f Humphrey Clinker). In
England went unplaced for the £675 St Leger Stakes at
Liverpool, won by Mr St. Paul's Northern Derby winner
Mentor (bl c Sheet Anchor), with Mr Mostyn's Pantasa (b
c Picaroon) placing 2nd; 5 others started. Running for
Mr Scott won the £1550
St Leger at Doncaster by a length, beating Major
Yarburgh's good winner Miss Sarah (b f
Gladiator),
Pantasa, Mr Gully's Weatherbit (br c Sheet Anchor), Mr Johnstone's Annandale (br c
Touchstone), Mr Ferguson's
Clear-the-Way (ch c Harkaway), Sir R Bulkeley's
Chertsey (b c Touchstone), Mentor, Major Yarburgh's Red
Robin (ch c Gladiator), Mr Painter's The Pincha (b c
Jereed) and 5 others. Won the £1240 Cesarewitch at
Newmarket Second October, beating Lord Exeter's Wee Pet
(br f Sheet Anchor), Mr Drinkald's Vol-au-Vent, Mr Meiklam's Trueboy (br c Tomboy), Lord Stradbroke's
Boardingschool Miss (b f Plenipo), Mr Bennett's Hope,
Colonel Peel's I-am-not-Aware, Lord Sandwich's Plantaganet and 19 others. Running for R E
Clark went unplaced for the Cambridgeshire, won by Mr Greville's
Alarm (b c Venison), with Mr
Ward's Event (b f Toss-Up) placing 2nd, Lord Warwick's
Yardley (b c Sir Isaac) 3rd; 24 others not placed. |
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In 1846 went
unplaced for the Cup at Chester, won by Mr G H
Moore's Corranna (b c Hymen), with Sir George (b c St
Martin) placing 2nd; 28 started. Finished 2nd by a
"short head" for the Craven Stakes at Epsom, won by Mr
E Peel's Spithead (br c Sheet Anchor), beating Sir
Peter Laurie (br c The
Saddler) and 3 others. Went unplaced for the Emperor
of Russia's Plate at Ascot, won by Alarm. Not placed for
the £1160 Cup at Liverpool, won by Mr Meiklam's
Lightning (bl c Sheet Anchor), Lord Eglinton's Plaudit
(b f Tomboy) 2nd, Yardley 3rd; 14 others not placed. |
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Notable
Offspring |
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Dame d'Honneur (ch f 1853) winner of Prix de Diane. |
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Etoile du Nord (b f 1855) winner of Prix de Diane. |
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La Toucques (ch f 1860) winner of Prix du Jockey-Club, Prix
Royal Oak, Prix de Diane, Grosser Preis von Baden-Baden. |
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