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Courtesy of Ackermann
& Johnson
Sire Line
Matchem
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Grey Momus
gr c 1835 (Comus - Mare, by Cervantes). Sire Line
Matchem.
Family 2-d. Grey Momus was bred
in Yorkshire by the popular Sir Tatton Sykes (1782-1863)
of Sledmere, a notable turfite who was reputed to have
seen seventy-six runnings of the St Leger Stakes. He
was a half brother to Chateau Margaux Mare (gr f
1825 Chateau Margaux) the taproot mare of
Family 2-f.
He
was owned as a two year old by John Bowes (1811-1885)
of Streatlam Castle, Durham, breeder of the Derby winners
Mundig (ch c 1832 Catton), Cotherstone (b c 1840
Touchstone),
Daniel O'Rourke
(ch c 1849 Birdcatcher),
and the triple crown winner
West
Australian (b c 1850
Melbourne),
and for the rest of his turf career by Lord George Bentinck
(1802-1848), son of the 4th Duke of Portland, and breeder
of the Derby winner Surplice (b c 1845
Touchstone).
Following his turf
career Grey Momus was exported to Germany. He was purchased
by Count Hahn of Basedow, in northern Germany, the first
German to compete successfully on the turf in England.
His German-bred Turnus (b c 1846 Taurus) would win
the Stewards' Cup and the Chesterfield Cup in 1850.
In the stud Grey Momus got the Union-Rennen winner Dolores
(gr f 1843) and the Henckel-Rennen winner Seal (b c
1849).
| Grey
Momus |
Comus |
Sorcerer |
Trumpator |
| Young Giantess |
| Houghton Lass |
Sir Peter Teazle |
| Alexina |
| Cervantes Mare |
Cervantes |
Don Quixote |
| Evelina |
| Emma |
Don Cossack |
| Vesta |
|
| Race
Record |
In 1837 Grey Momus won the Lavant Stakes
and the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood. |
In 1838 he won the Two Thousand Guineas
Stakes, with John Day up, beating Mr Thornhill's Saintfoin (ch c
1835 St Patrick) and Lord Suffield's favoured Bamboo
(ch c 1835 Cain). Two days later he easily won a match
for 300 sovereigns arranged by the undaunted Lord Suffield
against his Bamboo at level weights over the Rowley
Mile. He was favourite for the Derby, notable as the
first one in which trains were run to Epsom from Nine
Elms in London. Following a long delay and several false
starts the horses were sent off amidst such confusion
that some jockeys half-pulled their mounts and Young
Rowton and St Francis were left behind altogther. Grey
Momus ran well although beaten by Sir Gilbert Heathcote's
"coughing pony" Amato (br c 1835
Velocipede)
and Colonel Peel's Ion (br c 1835 Cain). He went on
to win the Ascot Gold Cup, beating Epirus (ch c 1834
Langar) and Caravan (br c 1834
Camel),
the Drawing Room Stakes and the Racing
Stakes at Goodwood and the Grand Duke
Michael Stakes at Newmarket. |
In 1839
he won the Port Stakes at Newmarket. |
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