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Vertumnus (GB)
Courtesy of Bermingham & Co Sire Line Eclipse
	Vertumnus ch c 1775 (Eclipse - Mare, by Sweeper). Sire Line Eclipse. Family 9-b. Bred by Dennis O'Kelly, who also owned his sire, Vertumnus was a full brother to the successful stallion Boudrow (b c 1777). Said to be a good runner he stood 15 hands 1 inch and was reputed to be able to carry 18st. He ran for three years in the colours of Mr O'Kelly mostly at Newmarket although not in classic company. From his career of nineteen starts he won seven races including two forfeits, finished second six times and third twice. He retired to Mr O'Kelly's stud at Clayhill in Epsom, Surrey where he covered alongside the legendary Eclipse until around 1788 when they both moved to O'Kelly's Cannons stud at Edgeware, Middlesex. Except for the 1792 season at Mr Hide's training stables at Epsom he remained at Cannons and was last advertised for 1796. His stud fee rose gradually from two guineas to five guineas. He was said to get good runners and capital hunters and his stock was described as "large and boney". From the few racing mares who patronised him he sired several winners including the Prince of Wales's Baronet (b c 1785) who won the Oatlands Stakes at Ascot, several King's Plates and a match for 500 guineas. Vertumnus appears to have made his mark as a stallion in the hunting field.
	Pedigree
	Vertumnus Eclipse Marske Squirt Ruby Mare Spilletta Regulus Mother Western Sweeper Mare Sweeper Sloe Mogul Mare Tartar Mare Tartar Mogul Mare
	Race Record
	In 1778 he finished last of nine for the 50 gs each Chequino Stakes at Newmarket won by Lord Grosvenor's Mexican (b c 1775 Snap), lost a 200 gs match at Stockbridge to HRH the Duke of Cumberland's Pomona (ch f 1775 King Herod), and won a 25 gs each sweepstakes at the same place.
	In 1779 he finished fourth of seven for a 25 gs each subscription at Newmarket won by Sir L Dundas's Prince Ferdinand (ch c 1775 King Herod), finished third of six for a 100 gs each sweepstakes at Newmarket won by Mr Douglas's Sting (b f 1775 King Herod), finished second of three for a 25 gs each subscription at Lewes won by Sir J Shelley's Everlasting (b f 1775 Eclipse), finished second for a 100 gs each sweepstakes at the same place won by Mr Vernon's Pantaloon Colt, won a 25 gs each subscription at the same place, finished second of four for a 200 gs each subscription at Newmarket won by Lord Grosvenor's Mexican, won a 5 gs each subscription at the same place beating Mr Vernon's Ranger (b c 1775 King Herod), collected 50 gs at the same place from Capt Champereux's Prophet Colt, finished fourth of five for a 10 gs each subscription at the same place won by Lord Grosvenor's Mexican, finished second of five for a 5 gs each subscription at the same place won by Lord Grosvenor's Adamant (b c 1775 King Herod), and finished third of nine for a fifty at the same place won by Lord Derby's Laburnum (b c 1774 King Herod).
	In 1780 he won the 140 gs subscription at Newmarket, won a fifty at the same place, collected a 70 gs compromise at the same place from Sir L Dundas's Prince Ferdinand, lost a match to Sir L Dundas's Prince Ferdinand, and finished fifth of seven for the £50 Town Plate at Epsom won by Lord Milsintown's Tiffany (gr f 1775 Eclipse).
	© Miodrag Milovanovic & A J Hibbard