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'''Petrarch''' (foaled 1873) was a British [[Thoroughbred]] racehorse and [[Horse breeding#Terminology|sire]] who won two [[British Classic Races]] in 1876. In a career that lasted from October 1875 to October 1878 he ran sixteen times and won eight races. In 1875, Petrarch won the [[Middle Park Stakes]] on his only appearance of the season. As a three-year-old in 1876 he won two of the three races which comprise the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing#England|Triple Crown]], taking the [[2000 Guineas]] at [[Newmarket Racecourse|Newmarket]] and the [[St Leger Stakes|St Leger]] at [[Doncaster Racecourse|Doncaster]]. He finished unplaced when favourite for [[Epsom Derby|The Derby]]. As a four-year-old he won three races including the two and a half mile [[Ascot Gold Cup]] which at that time was regarded as the most important [[weight-for-age]] race in the world.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18780625.2.30&srpos=1&e=01-06-1878-30-06-1878--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=ENGLISH SPORTING NEWS |publisher=Auckland Star |date=25 June 1878 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> Petrarch was regarded by contemporary experts as a brilliant, but inconsistent performer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18770623.2.28&srpos=2&e=01-01-1877-31-12-1877--10--1----0Petrarch+brilliant-- |title=SPORTING NOTES |publisher=Press |date=23 June 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> After winning once as a five-year-old in 1878 he was retired to stud where he became a successful sire of winners.
'''Petrarch''' (foaled 1873) was a British [[Thoroughbred]] racehorse and [[Horse breeding#Terminology|sire]] who won two [[British Classic Races]] in 1876. In a career that lasted from October 1875 to October 1878 he ran sixteen times and won eight races. In 1875, Petrarch won the [[Middle Park Stakes]] on his only appearance of the season. As a three-year-old in 1876 he won two of the three races which comprise the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing#England|Triple Crown]], taking the [[2000 Guineas]] at [[Newmarket Racecourse|Newmarket]] and the [[St Leger Stakes|St Leger]] at [[Doncaster Racecourse|Doncaster]]. He finished unplaced when favourite for [[Epsom Derby|The Derby]]. As a four-year-old he won three races including the two and a half mile [[Ascot Gold Cup]] which at that time was regarded as the most important [[weight-for-age]] race in the world.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18780625.2.30&srpos=1&e=01-06-1878-30-06-1878--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=ENGLISH SPORTING NEWS |publisher=[[Auckland Star]] |date=25 June 1878 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> Petrarch was regarded by contemporary experts as a brilliant, but inconsistent performer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18770623.2.28&srpos=2&e=01-01-1877-31-12-1877--10--1----0Petrarch+brilliant-- |title=SPORTING NOTES |publisher=Press |date=23 June 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> After winning once as a five-year-old in 1878 he was retired to stud where he became a successful sire of winners.


==Background==
==Background==
Petrarch was an exceptionally good-looking bay horse<ref name="Mortimer">{{cite book|last1=Mortimer|first1=Roger |last2=Onslow|first2=Richard|last3=Willett|first3=Peter|title=Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing|publisher=Macdonald and Jane’s|year=1999|isbn=0-354-08536-0}}</ref> bred by J.Gosden at [[Midhurst]] in [[West Sussex]]. He was sired by the 1863 St Leger winner [[Lord Clifden]], whose other progeny included the classic winners [[Jannette]], Wenlock and Hawthornden as well as the leading sire [[Hampton (horse)|Hampton]]. Petrarch's performances as a three-year-old enabled Lord Clifden to win his only [[Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland|sires' championship]] in 1876.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/LeadingSires/GBLeadSires.html |title=Leading Sires of Great Britain and Ireland |publisher=Tbheritage.com |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> Petrarch's dam Laura was a successful [[Horse breeding#Terminology|broodmare]] whose other foals included the [[Doncaster Cup]] winner Fraulein and the [[Craven Stakes]] winner Laureate.
Petrarch was an exceptionally good-looking bay horse<ref name="Mortimer">{{cite book|last1=Mortimer|first1=Roger |last2=Onslow|first2=Richard|last3=Willett|first3=Peter|title=Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing|publisher=Macdonald and Jane’s|year=1999|isbn=0-354-08536-0}}</ref> bred by J.Gosden at [[Midhurst]] in [[West Sussex]]. He was sired by the 1863 St Leger winner [[Lord Clifden]], whose other progeny included the classic winners [[Jannette]], Wenlock and Hawthornden as well as the leading sire [[Hampton (horse)|Hampton]]. Petrarch's performances as a three-year-old enabled Lord Clifden to win his only [[Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland|sires' championship]] in 1876.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/LeadingSires/GBLeadSires.html |title=Leading Sires of Great Britain and Ireland |publisher=Tbheritage.com |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> Petrarch's dam Laura was a successful [[Horse breeding#Terminology|broodmare]] whose other foals included the [[Doncaster Cup]] winner Fraulein and the [[Craven Stakes]] winner Laureate.


As a three-year-old, Petrarch stood 15.3 [[Hand (unit)|hands]] high and despite slightly faulty [[Hock (anatomy)|hocks]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18760626.2.11&srpos=6&e=01-06-1876-30-06-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=THE DERBY |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=26 June 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> was described as "the very ''beau ideal'' of a superior racehorse"<ref name="autogeneratedcl">{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=DSC18760717.2.35&srpos=8&e=01-07-1876-31-07-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=SPORTS AND PASTIMES |publisher=Daily Southern Cross |date=17 July 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> The colt was originally sent into training with John Dawson, the younger brother of [[Mathew Dawson]], at Warren House stables at [[Newmarket, Suffolk]]. Dawson was best known as the private trainer of [[Gustavus Batthyany|Prince Batthyany]], for whom he trained the 1875 Epsom Derby winner [[Galopin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.horseracinghistory.co.uk/hrho/action/viewDocument?id=991 |title=John Dawson (Snr) |publisher=Horseracing History Online |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> Petrarch was a difficult horse to bring to peak condition, as he suffered throughout his racing career from intermittent kidney trouble.<ref name="tbheritage1">{{cite web|url=http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Petrarch.html |title=Petrarch |publisher=Tbheritage.com |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref>
As a three-year-old, Petrarch stood 15.3 [[Hand (unit)|hands]] high and despite slightly faulty [[Hock (anatomy)|hocks]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18760626.2.11&srpos=6&e=01-06-1876-30-06-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=THE DERBY |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=26 June 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> was described as "the very ''beau ideal'' of a superior racehorse"<ref name="autogeneratedcl">{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=DSC18760717.2.35&srpos=8&e=01-07-1876-31-07-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=SPORTS AND PASTIMES |publisher=Daily Southern Cross |date=17 July 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> The colt was originally sent into training with John Dawson, the younger brother of [[Mathew Dawson]], at Warren House stables at [[Newmarket, Suffolk]]. Dawson was best known as the private trainer of [[Gustavus Batthyany|Prince Batthyany]], for whom he trained the 1875 Epsom Derby winner [[Galopin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.horseracinghistory.co.uk/hrho/action/viewDocument?id=991 |title=John Dawson (Snr) |publisher=Horseracing History Online |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> Petrarch was a difficult horse to bring to peak condition, as he suffered throughout his racing career from intermittent kidney trouble.<ref name="tbheritage1">{{cite web|url=http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Petrarch.html |title=Petrarch |publisher=Tbheritage.com |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref>


==Racing career==
==Racing career==


===1875: two-year-old season===
===1875: two-year-old season===
Petrarch made his racing debut in October 1875 in the [[Middle Park Plate]] over six [[furlongs]] at Newmarket. The race was the most prestigious two-year-old race of the season in Britain and attracted a field of thirty runners. With first prize money of £3,404, the race was the most valuable of the season outside the classics.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WCT18760318.2.16&srpos=1&e=01-03-1876-31-03-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=THE PRQFITS OF RACING |publisher=West Coast Times |date=18 March 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> Ridden by Jem Goater, Petrarch won very easily by four lengths at odds of [[Fractional odds|100/8]] from Madeira and Heurtebise.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=DSC18751211.2.24&srpos=12&e=01-12-1875-30-12-1875--10--11----2Petrarch-- |title=SPORTING NOTES FROM HOME London, October 19 |publisher=Daily Southern Cross |date=11 December 1875 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> The unplaced horses included the 6/4 favourite Lollypop and an unnamed [[Kisber (horse)|"Mineral colt"]], who won the [[Dewhurst Stakes]] later that month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=ODT18760626.2.16&srpos=2&e=01-06-1876-30-06-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=THE DERBY |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=26 June 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> Petrarch's victory established him as one of the best colts of his generation and a leading contender for the following year's classic races.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WH18760418.2.6&srpos=2&e=01-04-1876-30-04-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1876 |publisher=Wanganui Herald |date=18 April 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref>
Petrarch made his racing debut in October 1875 in the [[Middle Park Plate]] over six [[furlongs]] at Newmarket. The race was the most prestigious two-year-old race of the season in Britain and attracted a field of thirty runners. With first prize money of £3,404, the race was the most valuable of the season outside the classics.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WCT18760318.2.16&srpos=1&e=01-03-1876-31-03-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=THE PRQFITS OF RACING |publisher=West Coast Times |date=18 March 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> Ridden by Jem Goater, Petrarch won very easily by four lengths at odds of [[Fractional odds|100/8]] from Madeira and Heurtebise.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=DSC18751211.2.24&srpos=12&e=01-12-1875-30-12-1875--10--11----2Petrarch-- |title=SPORTING NOTES FROM HOME London, October 19 |publisher=Daily Southern Cross |date=11 December 1875 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> The unplaced horses included the 6/4 favourite Lollypop and an unnamed [[Kisber (horse)|"Mineral colt"]], who won the [[Dewhurst Stakes]] later that month.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=ODT18760626.2.16&srpos=2&e=01-06-1876-30-06-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=THE DERBY |publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=26 June 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> Petrarch's victory established him as one of the best colts of his generation and a leading contender for the following year's classic races.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WH18760418.2.6&srpos=2&e=01-04-1876-30-04-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1876 |publisher=Wanganui Herald |date=18 April 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref>


===1876: three-year-old season===
===1876: three-year-old season===


====Spring====
====Spring====
Before the start of the 1876 flat season, Petrarch was bought for 10,000 [[Guinea (British coin)|guineas]] (£10,500) by Lord Dupplin.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=ST18760530.2.15&srpos=2&e=01-05-1876-31-05-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=NEWS BY THE MAIL |publisher=Southland Times |date=30 May 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> Early in the year, Petrarch was favourite in the betting lists for both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=OW18760610.2.74&srpos=1&e=01-06-1876-30-06-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=ENGLISH RACING NEWS |publisher=Otago Witness |date=10 June 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> In April however, he took part in a public trial race in which he was beaten by Lord Dupplin's other classic entry Kaleidoscope. Although Dawson had warned the owner that Petrarch was not fully fit, the trial convinced Dupplin that Kaleidoscope was the better horse and he wagered accordingly.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WH18760703.2.8&srpos=6&e=01-07-1876-31-07-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=LONDON |publisher=Wanganui Herald |date=3 July 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> As a result, Kaleidoscope was made favourite for the 2000 Guineas, with Petrarch starting a 20/1 outsider in a field of fourteen runners. Ridden by the little-known lightweight jockey Harry Luke,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=OW18760722.2.68&srpos=13&e=01-07-1876-31-07-1876--10--11----0Petrarch-- |title=CURRENT EVENTS |publisher=Otago Witness |date=22 July 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> Petrarch moved alongside the early leader Camembert three furlongs from the finish and then accelerated clear of the field. He won "in a canter"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WH18760622.2.13&srpos=8&e=01-06-1876-30-06-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=SPORTING NOTES |publisher=Wanganui Herald |date=22 June 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> by three lengths from Julius Caesar, with Kaleidoscope third. Contemporary reports described his victory as one of the easiest ever seen in the race. The crowd's response to the upset was muted, and the bookmakers were almost equally subdued, as some had taken bets at odds of up to 40/1 on the winner.<ref name="autogeneratedcl"/> At least one commentator stated that Petrarch's poor performance in the earlier trial had been a deliberate ploy by Dupplin and his confederates to obtain better odds against the colt.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18760809.2.19&srpos=1&e=01-08-1876-31-08-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=A SHARP AMERICAN |publisher=Auckland Star |date=9 August 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref>
Before the start of the 1876 flat season, Petrarch was bought for 10,000 [[Guinea (British coin)|guineas]] (£10,500) by Lord Dupplin.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=ST18760530.2.15&srpos=2&e=01-05-1876-31-05-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=NEWS BY THE MAIL |publisher=[[Southland Times]] |date=30 May 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> Early in the year, Petrarch was favourite in the betting lists for both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=OW18760610.2.74&srpos=1&e=01-06-1876-30-06-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=ENGLISH RACING NEWS |publisher=[[Otago Witness]] |date=10 June 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> In April however, he took part in a public trial race in which he was beaten by Lord Dupplin's other classic entry Kaleidoscope. Although Dawson had warned the owner that Petrarch was not fully fit, the trial convinced Dupplin that Kaleidoscope was the better horse and he wagered accordingly.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WH18760703.2.8&srpos=6&e=01-07-1876-31-07-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=LONDON |publisher=Wanganui Herald |date=3 July 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> As a result, Kaleidoscope was made favourite for the 2000 Guineas, with Petrarch starting a 20/1 outsider in a field of fourteen runners. Ridden by the little-known lightweight jockey Harry Luke,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=OW18760722.2.68&srpos=13&e=01-07-1876-31-07-1876--10--11----0Petrarch-- |title=CURRENT EVENTS |publisher=[[Otago Witness]] |date=22 July 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> Petrarch moved alongside the early leader Camembert three furlongs from the finish and then accelerated clear of the field. He won "in a canter"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WH18760622.2.13&srpos=8&e=01-06-1876-30-06-1876--10--1----2Petrarch-- |title=SPORTING NOTES |publisher=Wanganui Herald |date=22 June 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> by three lengths from Julius Caesar, with Kaleidoscope third. Contemporary reports described his victory as one of the easiest ever seen in the race. The crowd's response to the upset was muted, and the bookmakers were almost equally subdued, as some had taken bets at odds of up to 40/1 on the winner.<ref name="autogeneratedcl"/> At least one commentator stated that Petrarch's poor performance in the earlier trial had been a deliberate ploy by Dupplin and his confederates to obtain better odds against the colt.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18760809.2.19&srpos=1&e=01-08-1876-31-08-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=A SHARP AMERICAN |publisher=[[Auckland Star]] |date=9 August 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref>


====Summer====
====Summer====
At Epsom on 31 May, Petrarch started 2/1 favourite for the Derby, with the Mineral colt, now named [[Kisber (horse)|Kisber]] being the second choice in the betting. Petrarch took the lead in the straight, but when Kisber emerged to challenge him a furlong from the finish he quickly faded from contention and finished fourth of the fifteen runners.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18760724.2.27&srpos=3&e=01-07-1876-31-07-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=THE DERBY |publisher=Press |date=24 July 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> It was later suggested that Petrarch's connections had never intended to win the race,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=ODT18761125.2.14&srpos=6&e=01-11-1876-30-11-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=SPORTING NOTES |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=25 November 1876 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> and that his poor performance had been deliberately engineered as part of a betting strategy.
At Epsom on 31 May, Petrarch started 2/1 favourite for the Derby, with the Mineral colt, now named [[Kisber (horse)|Kisber]] being the second choice in the betting. Petrarch took the lead in the straight, but when Kisber emerged to challenge him a furlong from the finish he quickly faded from contention and finished fourth of the fifteen runners.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18760724.2.27&srpos=3&e=01-07-1876-31-07-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=THE DERBY |publisher=Press |date=24 July 1876 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref> It was later suggested that Petrarch's connections had never intended to win the race,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=ODT18761125.2.14&srpos=6&e=01-11-1876-30-11-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=SPORTING NOTES |publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=25 November 1876 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> and that his poor performance had been deliberately engineered as part of a betting strategy.


In June Petrarch was sent to [[Royal Ascot]] where he won the thirteen furlong Prince of Wales's Stakes from Julius Caesar. He failed to reproduce his form in two other races at the meeting, finishing fourth to Coltness in the Biennial Stakes and last of the three runners behind Morning Star in the [[Jersey Stakes|second leg of the Triennial Stakes]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18761202.2.24&srpos=1&e=01-12-1876-31-12-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=THE BACK FOR THE ST LEGER |publisher=Press |date=2 December 1876 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> One of the leading gamblers of the day, [[William Ward, 1st Earl of Dudley|Lord Dudley]], created a controversy when he refused to pay the £9,000 he had lost by wagering on Petrarch in his Ascot defeats, claiming that the horse had not been allowed to run on its merits.<ref name="Mortimer"/>
In June Petrarch was sent to [[Royal Ascot]] where he won the thirteen furlong Prince of Wales's Stakes from Julius Caesar. He failed to reproduce his form in two other races at the meeting, finishing fourth to Coltness in the Biennial Stakes and last of the three runners behind Morning Star in the [[Jersey Stakes|second leg of the Triennial Stakes]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18761202.2.24&srpos=1&e=01-12-1876-31-12-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=THE BACK FOR THE ST LEGER |publisher=Press |date=2 December 1876 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> One of the leading gamblers of the day, [[William Ward, 1st Earl of Dudley|Lord Dudley]], created a controversy when he refused to pay the £9,000 he had lost by wagering on Petrarch in his Ascot defeats, claiming that the horse had not been allowed to run on its merits.<ref name="Mortimer"/>


====Autumn====
====Autumn====
At Doncaster in September, the Derby winner Kisber started 7/4 favourite for the St Leger, with Petrarch, ridden my Jem Goater on 9/1. Petrarch was not among the early leaders as Kisber set a strong pace. Approaching the turn into the straight, Petrarch moved up to join the favourite, with the 100/1 outsider Wild Tommy also making good progress. With Kisber quickly dropping back in the straight, the race became a struggle between Petrarch and Wild Tommy and Goater made vigorous use of his whip and spurs as Petrarch stayed on gamely to win by a neck after a "fine race".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18761118.2.16&srpos=1&e=01-11-1876-30-11-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=SPORTING |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=18 November 1876 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> As at Epsom and Ascot, there were rumours that the race had not been entirely fair: it was reported that Petrarch had been heavily backed to win by Kisber's owners, the Baltazzi brothers, who therefore stood to profit from the poor running of their own horse.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WH18761111.2.13&srpos=9&e=01-11-1876-30-11-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=LONDON |publisher=Wanganui Herald |date=11 November 1876 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> According to press reports, bookmakers paid out £80,000 on winning bets on the race.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18770217.2.27.4.5&srpos=3&e=01-02-1877-28-02-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=SPORTING NOTES FROM HOME |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=17 February 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref>
At Doncaster in September, the Derby winner Kisber started 7/4 favourite for the St Leger, with Petrarch, ridden my Jem Goater on 9/1. Petrarch was not among the early leaders as Kisber set a strong pace. Approaching the turn into the straight, Petrarch moved up to join the favourite, with the 100/1 outsider Wild Tommy also making good progress. With Kisber quickly dropping back in the straight, the race became a struggle between Petrarch and Wild Tommy and Goater made vigorous use of his whip and spurs as Petrarch stayed on gamely to win by a neck after a "fine race".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18761118.2.16&srpos=1&e=01-11-1876-30-11-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=SPORTING |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=18 November 1876 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> As at Epsom and Ascot, there were rumours that the race had not been entirely fair: it was reported that Petrarch had been heavily backed to win by Kisber's owners, the Baltazzi brothers, who therefore stood to profit from the poor running of their own horse.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WH18761111.2.13&srpos=9&e=01-11-1876-30-11-1876--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=LONDON |publisher=Wanganui Herald |date=11 November 1876 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> According to press reports, bookmakers paid out £80,000 on winning bets on the race.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18770217.2.27.4.5&srpos=3&e=01-02-1877-28-02-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=SPORTING NOTES FROM HOME |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=17 February 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref>


Petrarch earned prize money of £11,700 in 1876, making him the most financially successful horse of the year in Britain.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=THS18770227.2.21&srpos=1&e=01-01-1877-31-02-1877--10--1----0Kisber-- |title=ENGLISH WINNERS OF 1876 |publisher=Thames Star |date=27 February 1877 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref>
Petrarch earned prize money of £11,700 in 1876, making him the most financially successful horse of the year in Britain.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=THS18770227.2.21&srpos=1&e=01-01-1877-31-02-1877--10--1----0Kisber-- |title=ENGLISH WINNERS OF 1876 |publisher=Thames Star |date=27 February 1877 |access-date=2012-09-14}}</ref>
Line 54: Line 54:
Before the start of the 1877 flat season, Petrarch was offered for sale by Dupplin.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> He was bought by [[St George Lowther, 4th Earl of Lonsdale|Lord Lonsdale]] and was moved across Newmarket to the Bedford Lodge stable of Joseph Cannon. On his first appearance of the year he carried the second highest weight of 125 [[Pound (mass)|pounds]] in the [[Lincolnshire Handicap]] on 21 March. Ridden by the [[British flat racing Champion Jockey|champion jockey]] [[Frederick J. Archer|Fred Archer]], he started at odds of 9/1 and finished eleventh of the thirty-three runners behind the filly Footstep.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18770616.2.16.3&srpos=4&e=01-06-1877-18-06-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=ENGLISH RACING |publisher=Press |date=16 June 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> He was then allowed to [[Walkover|walk over]] in a race at Newmarket before winning the High Level Handicap at Epsom.
Before the start of the 1877 flat season, Petrarch was offered for sale by Dupplin.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> He was bought by [[St George Lowther, 4th Earl of Lonsdale|Lord Lonsdale]] and was moved across Newmarket to the Bedford Lodge stable of Joseph Cannon. On his first appearance of the year he carried the second highest weight of 125 [[Pound (mass)|pounds]] in the [[Lincolnshire Handicap]] on 21 March. Ridden by the [[British flat racing Champion Jockey|champion jockey]] [[Frederick J. Archer|Fred Archer]], he started at odds of 9/1 and finished eleventh of the thirty-three runners behind the filly Footstep.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18770616.2.16.3&srpos=4&e=01-06-1877-18-06-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=ENGLISH RACING |publisher=Press |date=16 June 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> He was then allowed to [[Walkover|walk over]] in a race at Newmarket before winning the High Level Handicap at Epsom.


In June at Royal Ascot, Petrarch started even money favourite for the [[Ascot Gold Cup]] in a field of seven runners, with his main opposition expected to come from [[Viscount Falmouth|Lord Falmouth]]'s colt Skylark who had won the [[Queen's Vase|Gold Vase]] two days earlier. Ridden by Tom Cannon, his trainer's older brother, Petrarch traveled well until the turn into the straight when he seemed inclined to stop running. Only after Cannon used his whip to deliver two or three heavy strokes did the favourite consent to continue.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18770906.2.19&srpos=2&e=01-09-1877-30-09-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=ENGLISH SPORTING NOTES |publisher=Auckland Star |date=6 September 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> He won by a length from Skylark, with the mare Coomassie in third place.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=BH18770622.2.16.1&srpos=3&e=22-06-1877-30-06-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=CABLE MESSAGES |publisher=Bruce Herald |date=22 June 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> In his next race, Petrarch started 6/5 favourite for the Liverpool Summer Cup, a handicap in which he carried top weight of 129 pounds. He took the lead in the last quarter mile but tired towards the end of the race and was caught in the last strides by [[Lord Rosebery]]'s Snail, who was carrying 19 pounds less.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18770915.2.27&srpos=1&e=01-09-1877-30-09-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=THE LIVERPOOL CUP |publisher=Press |date=15 September 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> He then ran poorly when fourth of the five runners behind [[Hampton (horse)|Hampton]] in the [[Goodwood Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18771013.2.35&srpos=1&e=01-10-1877-31-10-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=RACING IN ENGLAND |publisher=Press |date=13 October 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref>
In June at Royal Ascot, Petrarch started even money favourite for the [[Ascot Gold Cup]] in a field of seven runners, with his main opposition expected to come from [[Viscount Falmouth|Lord Falmouth]]'s colt Skylark who had won the [[Queen's Vase|Gold Vase]] two days earlier. Ridden by Tom Cannon, his trainer's older brother, Petrarch traveled well until the turn into the straight when he seemed inclined to stop running. Only after Cannon used his whip to deliver two or three heavy strokes did the favourite consent to continue.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18770906.2.19&srpos=2&e=01-09-1877-30-09-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=ENGLISH SPORTING NOTES |publisher=[[Auckland Star]] |date=6 September 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> He won by a length from Skylark, with the mare Coomassie in third place.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=BH18770622.2.16.1&srpos=3&e=22-06-1877-30-06-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=CABLE MESSAGES |publisher=Bruce Herald |date=22 June 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> In his next race, Petrarch started 6/5 favourite for the Liverpool Summer Cup, a handicap in which he carried top weight of 129 pounds. He took the lead in the last quarter mile but tired towards the end of the race and was caught in the last strides by [[Lord Rosebery]]'s Snail, who was carrying 19 pounds less.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18770915.2.27&srpos=1&e=01-09-1877-30-09-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=THE LIVERPOOL CUP |publisher=Press |date=15 September 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> He then ran poorly when fourth of the five runners behind [[Hampton (horse)|Hampton]] in the [[Goodwood Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18771013.2.35&srpos=1&e=01-10-1877-31-10-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=RACING IN ENGLAND |publisher=Press |date=13 October 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref>


A match race between Petrarch and the Oaks winner Placida was scheduled to take place over six furlongs at Newmarket in autumn,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18770901.2.23.11&srpos=3&e=01-09-1877-30-09-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=RACING IN ENGLAND |publisher=Press |date=1 September 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> but never materialised. The colt ended the season with earnings of £2,170.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18780227.2.18&srpos=2&e=01-02-1878-31-03-1878--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=ENGLISH RACING STATISTICS |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=27 February 1878 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref>
A match race between Petrarch and the Oaks winner Placida was scheduled to take place over six furlongs at Newmarket in autumn,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP18770901.2.23.11&srpos=3&e=01-09-1877-30-09-1877--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=RACING IN ENGLAND |publisher=Press |date=1 September 1877 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> but never materialised. The colt ended the season with earnings of £2,170.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18780227.2.18&srpos=2&e=01-02-1878-31-03-1878--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=ENGLISH RACING STATISTICS |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=27 February 1878 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref>


===1878: five-year-old season===
===1878: five-year-old season===
On his first run as a five-year-old, Petrarch started 11/2 favourite the [[City and Suburban Handicap]] at [[Epsom Downs Racecourse]], but finished unplaced behind the future Derby winner [[Sefton (racehorse)|Sefton]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18780713.2.5&srpos=1&e=01-07-1878-31-07-1878--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=SPORTING |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=13 July 1878 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> He then ran at Royal Ascot for the third successive year when he contested the [[Rous Memorial Stakes]] over one mile. Ridden by Archer, he started 5/4 favourite against five opponents and won by a neck after overtaking the front-running Dalham in the closing stages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18780831.2.56.2&srpos=1&e=01-08-1878-31-08-1878--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=ENGLISH SPORTING NOTES |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=31 August 1878 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> The horse was then off the course for four months before his final race in at Newmarket in October. By this time, Lonsdale, finding himself in financial difficulties, had sold the horse for £3,000 to [[Frederick Gough-Calthorpe, 5th Baron Calthorpe|Lord Calthorpe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WC18790102.2.9&srpos=1&e=01-01-1879-31-01-1879--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=NOBLEMEN AND THE TURF |publisher=Wanganui Chronicle |date=2 January 1879 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> Racing over ten furlongs he was unplaced behind the filly [[Jannette]] in the [[Champion Stakes]].
On his first run as a five-year-old, Petrarch started 11/2 favourite the [[City and Suburban Handicap]] at [[Epsom Downs Racecourse]], but finished unplaced behind the future Derby winner [[Sefton (racehorse)|Sefton]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18780713.2.5&srpos=1&e=01-07-1878-31-07-1878--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=SPORTING |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=13 July 1878 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> He then ran at Royal Ascot for the third successive year when he contested the [[Rous Memorial Stakes]] over one mile. Ridden by Archer, he started 5/4 favourite against five opponents and won by a neck after overtaking the front-running Dalham in the closing stages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18780831.2.56.2&srpos=1&e=01-08-1878-31-08-1878--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=ENGLISH SPORTING NOTES |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=31 August 1878 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> The horse was then off the course for four months before his final race in at Newmarket in October. By this time, Lonsdale, finding himself in financial difficulties, had sold the horse for £3,000 to [[Frederick Gough-Calthorpe, 5th Baron Calthorpe|Lord Calthorpe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WC18790102.2.9&srpos=1&e=01-01-1879-31-01-1879--10--1----0Petrarch-- |title=NOBLEMEN AND THE TURF |publisher=Wanganui Chronicle |date=2 January 1879 |access-date=2012-09-15}}</ref> Racing over ten furlongs he was unplaced behind the filly [[Jannette]] in the [[Champion Stakes]].


==Stud career==
==Stud career==

Latest revision as of 04:29, 18 December 2024

Petrarch
Petrarch, from the Illustrated London News, September 1876
SireLord Clifden
GrandsireNewminster
DamLaura
DamsireOrlando
SexStallion
Foaled1873
CountryUnited Kingdom
ColourBay
BreederMr. John Gosden
OwnerMr. Spencer
Lord Dupplin
Lord Lonsdale
Lord Calthorpe
TrainerJohn Dawson
Joseph Cannon
Record16:8-1-1
Major wins
Middle Park Plate (1875)
2000 Guineas (1876)
Prince of Wales's Stakes (1876)
St. Leger Stakes (1876)
Ascot Gold Cup (1877)
Rous Memorial Stakes (1878)
Awards
Leading British money winner (1876)

Petrarch (foaled 1873) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire who won two British Classic Races in 1876. In a career that lasted from October 1875 to October 1878 he ran sixteen times and won eight races. In 1875, Petrarch won the Middle Park Stakes on his only appearance of the season. As a three-year-old in 1876 he won two of the three races which comprise the Triple Crown, taking the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the St Leger at Doncaster. He finished unplaced when favourite for The Derby. As a four-year-old he won three races including the two and a half mile Ascot Gold Cup which at that time was regarded as the most important weight-for-age race in the world.[1] Petrarch was regarded by contemporary experts as a brilliant, but inconsistent performer.[2] After winning once as a five-year-old in 1878 he was retired to stud where he became a successful sire of winners.

Background

[edit]

Petrarch was an exceptionally good-looking bay horse[3] bred by J.Gosden at Midhurst in West Sussex. He was sired by the 1863 St Leger winner Lord Clifden, whose other progeny included the classic winners Jannette, Wenlock and Hawthornden as well as the leading sire Hampton. Petrarch's performances as a three-year-old enabled Lord Clifden to win his only sires' championship in 1876.[4] Petrarch's dam Laura was a successful broodmare whose other foals included the Doncaster Cup winner Fraulein and the Craven Stakes winner Laureate.

As a three-year-old, Petrarch stood 15.3 hands high and despite slightly faulty hocks,[5] was described as "the very beau ideal of a superior racehorse"[6] The colt was originally sent into training with John Dawson, the younger brother of Mathew Dawson, at Warren House stables at Newmarket, Suffolk. Dawson was best known as the private trainer of Prince Batthyany, for whom he trained the 1875 Epsom Derby winner Galopin.[7] Petrarch was a difficult horse to bring to peak condition, as he suffered throughout his racing career from intermittent kidney trouble.[8]

Racing career

[edit]

1875: two-year-old season

[edit]

Petrarch made his racing debut in October 1875 in the Middle Park Plate over six furlongs at Newmarket. The race was the most prestigious two-year-old race of the season in Britain and attracted a field of thirty runners. With first prize money of £3,404, the race was the most valuable of the season outside the classics.[9] Ridden by Jem Goater, Petrarch won very easily by four lengths at odds of 100/8 from Madeira and Heurtebise.[10] The unplaced horses included the 6/4 favourite Lollypop and an unnamed "Mineral colt", who won the Dewhurst Stakes later that month.[11] Petrarch's victory established him as one of the best colts of his generation and a leading contender for the following year's classic races.[12]

1876: three-year-old season

[edit]

Spring

[edit]

Before the start of the 1876 flat season, Petrarch was bought for 10,000 guineas (£10,500) by Lord Dupplin.[13] Early in the year, Petrarch was favourite in the betting lists for both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby.[14] In April however, he took part in a public trial race in which he was beaten by Lord Dupplin's other classic entry Kaleidoscope. Although Dawson had warned the owner that Petrarch was not fully fit, the trial convinced Dupplin that Kaleidoscope was the better horse and he wagered accordingly.[15] As a result, Kaleidoscope was made favourite for the 2000 Guineas, with Petrarch starting a 20/1 outsider in a field of fourteen runners. Ridden by the little-known lightweight jockey Harry Luke,[16] Petrarch moved alongside the early leader Camembert three furlongs from the finish and then accelerated clear of the field. He won "in a canter"[17] by three lengths from Julius Caesar, with Kaleidoscope third. Contemporary reports described his victory as one of the easiest ever seen in the race. The crowd's response to the upset was muted, and the bookmakers were almost equally subdued, as some had taken bets at odds of up to 40/1 on the winner.[6] At least one commentator stated that Petrarch's poor performance in the earlier trial had been a deliberate ploy by Dupplin and his confederates to obtain better odds against the colt.[18]

Summer

[edit]

At Epsom on 31 May, Petrarch started 2/1 favourite for the Derby, with the Mineral colt, now named Kisber being the second choice in the betting. Petrarch took the lead in the straight, but when Kisber emerged to challenge him a furlong from the finish he quickly faded from contention and finished fourth of the fifteen runners.[19] It was later suggested that Petrarch's connections had never intended to win the race,[20] and that his poor performance had been deliberately engineered as part of a betting strategy.

In June Petrarch was sent to Royal Ascot where he won the thirteen furlong Prince of Wales's Stakes from Julius Caesar. He failed to reproduce his form in two other races at the meeting, finishing fourth to Coltness in the Biennial Stakes and last of the three runners behind Morning Star in the second leg of the Triennial Stakes.[21] One of the leading gamblers of the day, Lord Dudley, created a controversy when he refused to pay the £9,000 he had lost by wagering on Petrarch in his Ascot defeats, claiming that the horse had not been allowed to run on its merits.[3]

Autumn

[edit]

At Doncaster in September, the Derby winner Kisber started 7/4 favourite for the St Leger, with Petrarch, ridden my Jem Goater on 9/1. Petrarch was not among the early leaders as Kisber set a strong pace. Approaching the turn into the straight, Petrarch moved up to join the favourite, with the 100/1 outsider Wild Tommy also making good progress. With Kisber quickly dropping back in the straight, the race became a struggle between Petrarch and Wild Tommy and Goater made vigorous use of his whip and spurs as Petrarch stayed on gamely to win by a neck after a "fine race".[22] As at Epsom and Ascot, there were rumours that the race had not been entirely fair: it was reported that Petrarch had been heavily backed to win by Kisber's owners, the Baltazzi brothers, who therefore stood to profit from the poor running of their own horse.[23] According to press reports, bookmakers paid out £80,000 on winning bets on the race.[24]

Petrarch earned prize money of £11,700 in 1876, making him the most financially successful horse of the year in Britain.[25]

1877: four-year-old season

[edit]

Before the start of the 1877 flat season, Petrarch was offered for sale by Dupplin.[24] He was bought by Lord Lonsdale and was moved across Newmarket to the Bedford Lodge stable of Joseph Cannon. On his first appearance of the year he carried the second highest weight of 125 pounds in the Lincolnshire Handicap on 21 March. Ridden by the champion jockey Fred Archer, he started at odds of 9/1 and finished eleventh of the thirty-three runners behind the filly Footstep.[26] He was then allowed to walk over in a race at Newmarket before winning the High Level Handicap at Epsom.

In June at Royal Ascot, Petrarch started even money favourite for the Ascot Gold Cup in a field of seven runners, with his main opposition expected to come from Lord Falmouth's colt Skylark who had won the Gold Vase two days earlier. Ridden by Tom Cannon, his trainer's older brother, Petrarch traveled well until the turn into the straight when he seemed inclined to stop running. Only after Cannon used his whip to deliver two or three heavy strokes did the favourite consent to continue.[27] He won by a length from Skylark, with the mare Coomassie in third place.[28] In his next race, Petrarch started 6/5 favourite for the Liverpool Summer Cup, a handicap in which he carried top weight of 129 pounds. He took the lead in the last quarter mile but tired towards the end of the race and was caught in the last strides by Lord Rosebery's Snail, who was carrying 19 pounds less.[29] He then ran poorly when fourth of the five runners behind Hampton in the Goodwood Cup.[30]

A match race between Petrarch and the Oaks winner Placida was scheduled to take place over six furlongs at Newmarket in autumn,[31] but never materialised. The colt ended the season with earnings of £2,170.[32]

1878: five-year-old season

[edit]

On his first run as a five-year-old, Petrarch started 11/2 favourite the City and Suburban Handicap at Epsom Downs Racecourse, but finished unplaced behind the future Derby winner Sefton.[33] He then ran at Royal Ascot for the third successive year when he contested the Rous Memorial Stakes over one mile. Ridden by Archer, he started 5/4 favourite against five opponents and won by a neck after overtaking the front-running Dalham in the closing stages.[34] The horse was then off the course for four months before his final race in at Newmarket in October. By this time, Lonsdale, finding himself in financial difficulties, had sold the horse for £3,000 to Lord Calthorpe.[35] Racing over ten furlongs he was unplaced behind the filly Jannette in the Champion Stakes.

Stud career

[edit]

Petrarch spent his early stud career at the Hampton Court Stud and was later moved to the Lanwades Stud. He sired three classic winning filies: Busybody and Miss Jummy both won the 1000 Guineas and Oaks, whilst Throstle ended the Triple Crown bid of Ladas by winning the 1894 St Leger. The best of his colts was The Bard who won sixteen races as a two-year-old and went on to finish second in the 1886 Epsom Derby. In 1893, Petrarch was sold and exported to France, where he died a few years later.[8]

Pedigree

[edit]
Pedigree of Petrarch (GB), bay stallion, 1873[36]
Sire
Lord Clifden (GB)
1860 		Newminster
1848 		Touchstone Camel
Banter
Beeswing Doctor Syntax
Ardrossan mare
The Slave
1852 		Melbourne Humphrey Clinker
Cervantes mare
Volley Voltaire
Martha Lynn
Dam
Laura (GB)
1860 		Orlando
1841 		Touchstone Camel
Banter
Vulture Langar
Kite
Torment
1850 		Alarm Venison
Southdown
Glencoe mare Glencoe
Alea (Family:10)[37]
  • Petrarch was inbred 3 × 3 to Touchstone, meaning that this stallion appears twice in the third generation of his pedigree.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "ENGLISH SPORTING NEWS". Auckland Star. 25 June 1878. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
  2. ^ "SPORTING NOTES". Press. 23 June 1877. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
  3. ^ a b Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1999). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane’s. ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
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  37. ^ "Fair Helen - Family 10". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
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