Airs and Graces

British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Airs and Graces

Airs and Graces in 1899.

Sire| Ayrshire
Grandsire| Hampton
Dam| Lady Alwyne
Damsire| Camballo
Sex| Mare
Foaled| 1895[1]
Country| United Kingdom
Colour| Bay
Breeder| William Henry Fife-Cookson
Owner| 6th Duke of Portland
W T Jones
Edmond Blanc
Trainer| George Dawson
Fred Day
Record| 14: 2-2-2
Major wins
Oaks Stakes (1898)

Airs and Graces (1895 – 1915) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a two-year-old she raced in the colours of the 6th Duke of Portland and showed modest ability, winning one minor race. After being bought by the Australian sportsman W T Jones she showed much improved form at three in 1898, winning the Epsom Oaks and being placed in both the 1000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes. She failed to win a race in 1900 but ran well to finish second in the Cambridgeshire Handicap. She was exported to France to become a broodmare and produced two top-class winners.

## Background

[edit]

Airs and Graces was a "wiry, greyhoundy mare, with plenty of size and scope"[2] bred in England by Captain (later Major) William Henry Fife-Cookson of Langton Hall in Yorkshire. As a yearling in July 1896 she was consigned to the sales at Newmarket and was bought for 550 guineas by the 6th Duke of Portland.[3] She was sent into training with George Dawson at Heath House stable in Newmarket.

She was sired by Ayrshire who won the 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby in 1888 and the Eclipse Stakes in 1889, before enjoying some success at stud, where his other foals included Bowling Brook and Our Lassie.[4] Her dam Lady Alwyne failed to win in three starts and was described as "worthless as a racehorse".[5][6]

## Racing career

[edit]

### 1897: two-year-old season

[edit]

Airs and Graces ran five times as a two-year-old in 1897, recording her only success in the Hardwicke Stakes at Stockton Racecourse.[7] In the Criterion Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket on 26 October she finished fourth of the five runners behind the Duke of Westminster's colt Batt.[8]

In December the filly, being held in no high regard by Dawson and having reportedly developed respiratory problems,[4] was sold for 450 guineas to the Newmarket trainer Fred Day who was acting on behalf of the Australian W T Jones.[9]

### 1898: three-year-old season

[edit]

On Friday 29 April 1898 Airs and Graces contested the 1000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket and started a 100/6 outsider. After tracking the leaders she moved up to dispute the lead in the last quarter mile but after going to the front she was overtaken and beaten a length by the favourite Nun Nicer.[10]

Airs and Graces was moved up in distance to contest the 120th running of the Oaks Stakes at Epsom Racecourse on 27 May. Nun Nicer started favourite ahead of Ayah and Yester Year while Airs and Graces was fourth choice on 100/8 alongside Alt Mark (3rd in the 1000 Guineas). Ridden by Walter Bradford Airs and Graces raced just behind the leader before taking the lead at Tattenham corner. She quickly opened up a clear lead and was never seriously challenged, coming home three lengths clear of Nun Nicer.[11] The filly's success earned her owner a reported £4,000 in winning bets.[12] At Royal Ascot in June, Airs and Graces finished third to Lowood and Nun Nicer in the Coronation Stakes, conceding 13 pounds to the winner.[13]

Airs and Graces returned at Newmarket in autumn when she was matched against older horses and male opposition in the £10,000 Jockey Club Stakes over ten furlongs. She ran fourth in a race which saw Cyllene win from Velasquez and Chelandry.[14]

Her successes apparently led to at least one little girl in England being given the name "Airs and Graces" by her parents in 1898.[15]

### 1899: four-year-old season

[edit]

Air and Graces remained in training in 1899 but failed to win any major races. At Ascot on 13 June she was assigned a weight of 118 pounds in the two-mile Ascot Stakes and finished unplaced behind Tom Cringle.[16] Five weeks later she ran unplaced in the Chesterfield Cup over ten furlongs at Goodwood Racecourse.[17] In the Cambridgeshire Handicap over nine furlongs at Newmarket on 26 October she carried 111 pounds and started at odds of 100/9 (11/1) in a twenty-five runner field. Ridden by the American jockey Lester Reiff she finished second, three lengths behind the three-year-old filly Irish Ivy but four lengths clear of the rest.[18] She then started favourite for the Old Cambridgeshire Handicap at the same track but came home third behind Lexicon and Flambard.[19] At Derby Racecourse on November 17 Airs and Graces ended her season by running unplaced under top weight of 122 pounds in the one and a half mile Derby Cup.[20]

## Breeding record

[edit]

At the end of her racing career Airs and Graces was sold to Edmond Blanc for 3,000 guineas[21] and exported to become broodmare in France. Airs and Graces died in 1915.[22] She produced at least six foals between 1902 and 1911:

* Jardy, a bay colt, foaled in 1902, sired by Flying Fox. Won Middle Park Stakes, second in the Epsom Derby.[4]
* Myram, bay colt, 1904, by Flying Fox
* Fils du Vent, bay colt, 1906, by Flying Fox. Won Prix Robert Papin.
* Batailleur, bay colt, 1908, by Flying Fox
* Simplex, colt, 1910, by Ajax
* Viva, bay colt, 1911, by Flying Fox

## Pedigree

[edit]

Pedigree of Airs and Graces (GB), brown mare, 1895[1] Sire
Ayrshire (GB)
1885  | Hampton
1872  | Lord Clifden | Newminster

|
|
|

The Slave
Lady Langden  | Kettledrum
Haricot
Atalanta
1878  | Galopin | Vedette
Flying Duchess
Feronia  | Thormanby
Woodbine
Dam
Lady Alwyne (GB)
1887  | Camballo
1872  | Cambuscan  | Newminster
The Arrow
Little Lady  | Orlando
Volley
Florence Aislabie
1865  | Young Melbourne  | Melbourne
Clarissa
Mary Aislabie  | Malcolm
Actaeon mare (Family: 5-f)[6]

* Airs and Graces was inbred 4 × 4 to Newminster, meaning that this stallion appears twice in the fourth generations of her pedigree.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Airs and Graces pedigree". Equineline.
2. ^ "Talk of the Day". Otago Witness. 14 July 1898. p. 35 – via Papers Past.
3. ^ ""spectator's" Note-Book". The Press. 6 June 1898. p. 2 – via Papers Past.
4. ^ a b c Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
5. ^ "Notes by Phaeton". The New Zealand Herald. 23 July 1898. p. 6 – via Papers Past.
6. ^ a b "Bajazet Mare - Family 5-f". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 2013-11-23.
7. ^ "The Turf in England". The New Zealand Herald. 30 May 1898. p. 5 – via Papers Past.
8. ^ "Newmarket". Otago Witness. 9 December 1897. p. 34 – via Papers Past.
9. ^ "Sporting". The New Zealand Herald. 4 June 1898. p. 5 – via Papers Past.
10. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 16 June 1898. p. 37 – via Papers Past.
11. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 14 July 1898. p. 38 – via Papers Past.
12. ^ "Notes by Phaeton". The New Zealand Herald. 11 June 1898 – via Papers Past.
13. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 4 August 1898. p. 34 – via Papers Past.
14. ^ "Newmarket". Otago Witness. 24 November 1898. p. 38 – via Papers Past.
15. ^ "The Curiosities of Christenings". Otago Witness. 7 September 1899. p. 56 – via Papers Past.
16. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 3 August 1899. p. 38 – via Papers Past.
17. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 21 September 1899. p. 39 – via Papers Past.
18. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 21 December 1899. p. 42 – via Papers Past.
19. ^ "In a Nutshell". Otago Witness. 21 December 1899. p. 41 – via Papers Past.
20. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 6 June 2018. p. 43 – via Papers Past.
21. ^ "Miscellaneous". Auckland Star. 6 June 2018. p. 3 – via Papers Past.
22. ^ Staff (1917). "Poulinieres Anglaises". Stud Book Français. 17: 92.

* v
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Epsom Oaks winners

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* 1813 Music
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* 1820 Caroline
* 1821 Augusta
* 1822 Pastille ‡
* 1823 Zinc
* 1824 Cobweb
* 1825 Wings
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* 1828 Turquoise
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* 1834 Pussy
* 1835 Queen of Trumps
* 1836 Cyprian
* 1837 Miss Letty
* 1838 Industry
* 1839 Deception
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* 1842 Our Nell
* 1843 Poison
* 1844 The Princess
* 1845 Refraction
* 1846 Mendicant
* 1847 Miami
* 1848 Cymba
* 1849 Lady Evelyn
* 1850 Rhedycina
* 1851 Iris
* 1852 Songstress
* 1853 Catherine Hayes
* 1854 Mincemeat
* 1855 Marchioness
* 1856 Mincepie
* 1857 Blink Bonny †
* 1858 Governess
* 1859 Summerside
* 1860 Butterfly
* 1861 Brown Duchess
* 1862 Feu de Joie
* 1863 Queen Bertha
* 1864 Fille de l'Air
* 1865 Regalia
* 1866 Tormentor
* 1867 Hippia
* 1868 Formosa ₩ ‡
* 1869 Brigantine
* 1870 Gamos
* 1871 Hannah ₩
* 1872 Reine
* 1873 Marie Stuart
* 1874 Apology ₩
* 1875 Spinaway
* 1876 Camelia (dh)
* 1876 Enguerrande (dh)
* 1877 Placida
* 1878 Jannette
* 1879 Wheel of Fortune
* 1880 Jenny Howlet
* 1881 Thebais
* 1882 Geheimniss
* 1883 Bonny Jean
* 1884 Busybody
* 1885 Lonely
* 1886 Miss Jummy
* 1887 Reve d'Or
* 1888 Seabreeze
* 1889 L'Abbesse de Jouarre
* 1890 Memoir
* 1891 Mimi
* 1892 La Fleche ₩
* 1893 Mrs Butterwick
* 1894 Amiable
* 1895 La Sagesse
* 1896 Canterbury Pilgrim
* 1897 Limasol
* 1898 Airs and Graces
* 1899 Musa
* 1900 La Roche
* 1901 Cap and Bells II
* 1902 Sceptre ₩ ‡
* 1903 Our Lassie
* 1904 Pretty Polly ₩
* 1905 Cherry Lass
* 1906 Keystone
* 1907 Glass Doll
* 1908 Signorinetta †
* 1909 Perola
* 1910 Rosedrop
* 1911 Cherimoya
* 1912 Mirska
* 1913 Jest
* 1914 Princess Dorrie
* 1915 Snow Marten
* 1916 Fifinella †
* 1917 Sunny Jane
* 1918 My Dear
* 1919 Bayuda
* 1920 Charlebelle
* 1921 Love in Idleness
* 1922 Pogrom
* 1923 Brownhylda
* 1924 Straitlace
* 1925 Saucy Sue
* 1926 Short Story
* 1927 Beam
* 1928 Toboggan
* 1929 Pennycomequick
* 1930 Rose of England
* 1931 Brulette
* 1932 Udaipur
* 1933 Chatelaine
* 1934 Light Brocade
* 1935 Quashed
* 1936 Lovely Rosa
* 1937 Exhibitionnist
* 1938 Rockfel
* 1939 Galatea
* 1940 Godiva
* 1941 Commotion
* 1942 Sun Chariot ₩
* 1943 Why Hurry
* 1944 Hycilla
* 1945 Sun Stream
* 1946 Steady Aim
* 1947 Imprudence
* 1948 Masaka
* 1949 Musidora
* 1950 Asmena
* 1951 Neasham Belle
* 1952 Frieze
* 1953 Ambiguity
* 1954 Sun Cap
* 1955 Meld ₩
* 1956 Sicarelle
* 1957 Carrozza
* 1958 Bella Paola
* 1959 Petite Etoile
* 1960 Never Too Late
* 1961 Sweet Solera
* 1962 Monade
* 1963 Noblesse
* 1964 Homeward Bound
* 1965 Long Look
* 1966 Valoris
* 1967 Pia
* 1968 La Lagune
* 1969 Sleeping Partner
* 1970 Lupe
* 1971 Altesse Royale
* 1972 Ginevra
* 1973 Mysterious
* 1974 Polygamy
* 1975 Juliette Marny
* 1976 Pawneese
* 1977 Dunfermline
* 1978 Fair Salinia
* 1979 Scintillate
* 1980 Bireme
* 1981 Blue Wind
* 1982 Time Charter
* 1983 Sun Princess
* 1984 Circus Plume
* 1985 Oh So Sharp ₩
* 1986 Midway Lady
* 1987 Unite
* 1988 Diminuendo
* 1989 Snow Bride
* 1990 Salsabil
* 1991 Jet Ski Lady
* 1992 User Friendly
* 1993 Intrepidity
* 1994 Balanchine
* 1995 Moonshell
* 1996 Lady Carla
* 1997 Reams of Verse
* 1998 Shahtoush
* 1999 Ramruma
* 2000 Love Divine
* 2001 Imagine
* 2002 Kazzia
* 2003 Casual Look
* 2004 Ouija Board
* 2005 Eswarah
* 2006 Alexandrova
* 2007 Light Shift
* 2008 Look Here
* 2009 Sariska
* 2010 Snow Fairy
* 2011 Dancing Rain
* 2012 Was
* 2013 Talent
* 2014 Taghrooda
* 2015 Qualify
* 2016 Minding
* 2017 Enable
* 2018 Forever Together
* 2019 Anapurna
* 2020 Love
* 2021 Snowfall
* 2022 Tuesday
* 2023 Soul Sister
* 2024 Ezeliya
* 2025 Minnie Hauk

Legend \- ₩ = Fillies Triple Crown Winners, † = Epsom Derby Winners, ‡ = 2,000 Guineas Stakes Winners
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