The Baron (IRE)
 
 


Courtesy of Fores Gallery

 

 

 

Sire Line


Birdcatcher

 

 

 

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.

 
Pedigree
The Baron Birdcatcher Sir Hercules Whalebone
Peri
Guiccioli Bob Booty
Flight
Echidna Economist Whisker
Floranthe
Miss Pratt Blacklock
Gadabout
Race Record
 
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.
 
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.
 
Notable Offspring
 
Dame d'Honneur (ch f 1853) winner of Prix de Diane.
 
Etoile du Nord (b f 1855) winner of Prix de Diane.
 
La Toucques (ch f 1860) winner of Prix du Jockey-Club, Prix Royal Oak, Prix de Diane, Grosser Preis von Baden-Baden.
   

   
Rataplan (GB) ch c 1850 (The Baron - Pocahontas, by Glencoe). Sire Line Birdcatcher. Family 3-n.
   
Stockwell (GB) ch c 1849 (The Baron - Pocahontas, by Glencoe). Sire Line Stockwell. Family 3-n.