Antonio (horse)

British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Antonio

'Antonio', the Winner of the Great St. Leger at Doncaster, 1819 by John Frederick Herring Sr.

Sire| Octavian
Grandsire| Stripling
Dam| Evander mare
Damsire| Evander
Sex| Stallion
Foaled| 1816
Country| United Kingdom
Colour| Bay
Owner| James Ferguson
John Clifton
Trainer| John Lonsdale
Record| 13: 6-6-1
Major wins
St Leger Stakes (1819)
Palatine Stakes (1820)
Grosvenor Stakes (1822)
Chester Stand Cup (1822)

Antonio (1816-1828) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire best known for winning a controversial race for the classic St Leger Stakes in 1819. The classic was run twice after claims of an irregular start, but Antonio's victory in the original running was eventually allowed to stand. The rest of his racing career, which lasted from April 1819 until May 1822 was relatively undistinguished although he won five other races. After two minor successes in 1820 he missed the whole of the 1821 before returning as a six-year-old to win two races at Chester. He was then retired to stud where he had limited success as a sire of winners before his death in 1828.

## Background

[edit]

Antonio was a bay horse with a white star and snip and white socks on his hind feet bred by James Ferguson, an innkeeper from Catterick Bridge.[1] His dam was an unnamed mare sired by Evander, a stallion who was exported to Russia in 1813. Antonio was one of only two classic winners produced by Thoroughbred family number 34, the other being his distant relative Birmingham who won the St Leger in 1830.[2] He was from the second crop of foals sired by the 1810 St Leger winner Octavian who stood as a stallion at Oran Farm near Catterick. The colt was sent into training with John Lonsdale.[3]

## Racing career

[edit]

### 1819: three-year-old season

[edit]

Antonio began his racing career at Catterick Bridge Racecourse on 15 April 1819 when he was beaten by his only opponent Agricola in the Old Stakes over two miles.[4] A week later at Middleham he finished second to Ralph Riddell's four-year-old Roman in a two-mile weight-for-age race. On the following day he ran in a maiden race which was run in a series of heats, with the prize going to the first horse to win twice. Antonio won the first heat, finished second to the filly Shadow in the second and then claimed his first victory by defeating Shadow in the deciding heat.[5] In June, Antonio ran at Newcastle Racecourse in Northumberland where he finished second to the four-year-old Mandeville in the weight-for-age Members' Plate.[6]

On 18 September, Antonio was one of nineteen colts and fillies to contest the forty-fourth running of the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse. Following the withdrawal of Sultan, who was injured on the morning of the race, the betting was headed by Henry Peirse's colt Wrangler, who started at odds of 7/4 ahead of Sir Walter and Agricola on 7/1. Antonio, ridden by Thomas Nicholson, was one of the outsiders, being offered at odds of 25 and 30/1. The start was faulty, with five horses being left behind when the starter, Mr Lockwood gave the signal for the race to begin. Antonio won the classic from Wrangler, with Archibald in third place, but several owners immediately lodged a protest. The racecourse stewards ordered a rerun, but James Ferguson refused to let Antonio compete again, insisting that the original race had been valid: Mr Lockwood also refused to handle the second race, as he believed the first start had been a fair one. Ten horses contested the second running of the race saw Colonel Craddock's colt Sir Walter finish first, with Wrangler and Archibald again finishing second and third. The matter was referred to the Jockey Club which decided on 5 November that Antonio's victory had been legitimate, and that the stewards should not have allowed the second race to be run.[7] The judgment appears to have been a popular one, especially at Catterick Bridge, where it was received with "joy and exultation".[3] The affair led to calls for the starting procedure for major races to be reformed, with the use of a flag being strongly advocated to counter the tactical ploys of "cunning jockeys" who were thought to manipulate the existing rules to obtain an unfair advantage.[8] Following the confirmation of his win, Antonio was sold for 1,000 guineas to John Clifton.[8]

### 1820: four-year-old season

[edit]

On his four-year-old debut Antonio started the 1/2 favourite for the Gold Cup at Manchester Racecourse, but was beaten a head by the gelding Anti-Radical.[9] Later at the meeting he was allowed to walk over for the Palatine Stakes over two and three quarter miles. In July he met the "other" St Leger winner Sir Walter in the Corporation Gold Cup at Lancaster but the two four-year-olds were easily beaten by the nine-year-old Doctor Syntax.[10] Later that month Antonio "won easy"[11] from his only opponent in a sweepstakes at Preston but at York Racecourse in August he was beaten by Wrangler in a division of the Great Subscription Purse. In September he returned the scene of his classic victory and finished second to The Laird in a sweepstakes at Doncaster.[1]

### 1822: six-year-old season

[edit]

Antonio missed the whole of the 1821 season before returning as a six-year-old in 1822. On 6 May he started 5/2 second favourite for the weight-for-age Grosvenor Stakes over a mile and a quarter at Chester Racecourse and won from four opponents. On the following afternoon, Antonio won the Stand Cup at the same venue, beating Sir Thomas Stanley's Tarragon (the favourite) and three others[12] after what was described as "a fine race".[13]

## Stud career

[edit]

Antonio was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion. The best of his offspring was Fylde, who won the Chester Cup in 1828, and became a reasonably successful stallion in the United States. According to the General Stud Book, Antonio died at Preston on 25 February 1828 at the age of twelve.[14]

## Pedigree

[edit]

Pedigree of Antonio (GB), bay stallion, 1816[15] Sire
Octavian (GB)
1807  | Stripling
1795  | Phoenomenon* | Herod

|
|
|

Frenzy
Laura | Eclipse*
Locust mare
Oberon mare | Oberon  | Highflyer*
Queen Mab
sister to Sharper | Ranthos
Sweepstakes mare
Dam
Evander mare (GB)
1811  | Evander
1801  | Delpini | Highflyer*
Countess
Caroline | Phoenomenon*
Faith
Miss Gunpowder
1797  | Gunpowder  | Eclipse*
Miss Spindleshanks
Young Marske mare | Young Marske
Arbitrator mare (Family:34)[2]

* Antonio is inbred 3S × 4D to the stallion Phoenomenon, meaning that he appears third generation on the sire side of his pedigree and fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree.

* Antonio is inbred 4S x 4D to the stallion Eclipse, meaning that he appears fourth generation on the sire side of his pedigree and fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree.

* Antonio is inbred 4S x 4D to the stallion Highflyer, meaning that he appears fourth generation on the sire side of his pedigree and fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree.

## Sire line tree

[edit]

* Antonio[16][17]
* Fylde
* Black Prince
* Steel
* Young Steel
* Tom Thurman
* Altorf
* St Louis
* Ben Hallet

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Antonio". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
2. ^ a b "Clubfoot – Family 34". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
3. ^ a b The Sportsman. Rogerson and Tuxford. 1855. p. 105. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
4. ^ Edward and James Weatherby (1820). Racing calendar. 1819. C H Reynell. p. 12. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
5. ^ Edward and James Weatherby (1820). Racing calendar. 1819. C H Reynell. p. 14. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
6. ^ Edward and James Weatherby (1820). Racing calendar. 1819. C H Reynell. p. 50. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
7. ^ Edward and James Weatherby (1820). Racing calendar. 1819. C H Reynell. p. 131. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
8. ^ a b Sporting magazine. J Wheble & J Pittman. 1820. p. 3. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
9. ^ Sporting magazine (April-September 1820). J Wheble & J Pittman. 1820. p. 30. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
10. ^ Sporting magazine (April-September 1820). J Wheble & J Pittman. 1820. p. 46. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
11. ^ Sporting magazine (April-September 1820). J Wheble & J Pittman. 1820. p. 50. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
12. ^ Edward and James Weatherby (1823). Racing calendar. 1822. C H Reynell. p. 32. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
13. ^ Sporting magazine (April -September 1822). J Pittman. 1822. p. 16. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
14. ^ Weatherby (1832). "Obituary of stallions". The General Stud Book. 1–2: 1030. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
15. ^ "Antonio pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
16. ^ Herod Sire Line
17. ^ Biography: Antonio

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St Leger Stakes winners

* 1776 Allabaculia ♥
* 1777 Bourbon
* 1778 Hollandoise ♥
* 1779 Tommy
* 1780 Ruler
* 1781 Serina ♥
* 1782 Imperatrix ♥
* 1783 Phoenomenon
* 1784 Omphale ♥
* 1785 Cowslip ♥
* 1786 Paragon
* 1787 Spadille
* 1788 Young Flora
* 1789 Pewett ♥
* 1790 Ambidexter
* 1791 Young Traveller
* 1792 Tartar
* 1793 Ninety-three
* 1794 Beningbrough
* 1795 Hambletonian
* 1796 Ambrosio
* 1797 Lounger
* 1798 Symmetry
* 1799 Cockfighter
* 1800 Champion
* 1801 Quiz
* 1802 Orville
* 1803 Remembrancer
* 1804 Sancho
* 1805 Staveley
* 1806 Fyldener
* 1807 Paulina ♥
* 1808 Petronius
* 1809 Ashton
* 1810 Octavian
* 1811 Soothsayer
* 1812 Otterington
* 1813 Altisidora ♥
* 1814 William
* 1815 Filho da Puta
* 1816 The Duchess ♥
* 1817 Ebor
* 1818 Reveller
* 1819 Antonio
* 1820 St Patrick
* 1821 Jack Spigot
* 1822 Theodore
* 1823 Barefoot
* 1824 Jerry
* 1825 Memnon
* 1826 Tarrare
* 1827 Matilda ♥
* 1828 The Colonel
* 1829 Rowton
* 1830 Birmingham
* 1831 Chorister
* 1832 Margrave
* 1833 Rockingham
* 1834 Touchstone
* 1835 Queen of Trumps ♥
* 1836 Elis
* 1837 Mango
* 1838 Don John
* 1839 Charles the Twelfth
* 1840 Launcelot
* 1841 Satirist
* 1842 Blue Bonnet ♥
* 1843 Nutwith
* 1844 Faugh-a-Ballagh
* 1845 The Baron
* 1846 Sir Tatton Sykes
* 1847 Van Tromp
* 1848 Surplice
* 1849 The Flying Dutchman
* 1850 Voltigeur
* 1851 Newminster
* 1852 Stockwell
* 1853 West Australian ₩
* 1854 Knight of St George
* 1855 Saucebox
* 1856 Warlock
* 1857 Imperieuse ♥
* 1858 Sunbeam ♥
* 1859 Gamester
* 1860 St Albans
* 1861 Caller Ou ♥
* 1862 The Marquis
* 1863 Lord Clifden
* 1864 Blair Athol
* 1865 Gladiateur ₩
* 1866 Lord Lyon ₩
* 1867 Achievement ♥
* 1868 Formosa ♥ ₩
* 1869 Pero Gomez
* 1870 Hawthornden
* 1871 Hannah ♥ ₩
* 1872 Wenlock
* 1873 Marie Stuart ♥
* 1874 Apology ♥ ₩
* 1875 Craig Millar
* 1876 Petrarch
* 1877 Silvio
* 1878 Jannette ♥
* 1879 Rayon d'Or
* 1880 Robert the Devil
* 1881 Iroquois
* 1882 Dutch Oven ♥
* 1883 Ossian
* 1884 The Lambkin
* 1885 Melton
* 1886 Ormonde ₩
* 1887 Kilwarlin
* 1888 Seabreeze ♥
* 1889 Donovan
* 1890 Memoir ♥
* 1891 Common ₩
* 1892 La Fleche ♥ ₩
* 1893 Isinglass ₩
* 1894 Throstle ♥
* 1895 Sir Visto
* 1896 Persimmon
* 1897 Galtee More ₩
* 1898 Wildfowler
* 1899 Flying Fox ₩
* 1900 Diamond Jubilee ₩
* 1901 Doricles
* 1902 Sceptre ♥ ₩
* 1903 Rock Sand ₩
* 1904 Pretty Polly ♥ ₩
* 1905 Challacombe
* 1906 Troutbeck
* 1907 Wool Winder
* 1908 Your Majesty
* 1909 Bayardo
* 1910 Swynford
* 1911 Prince Palatine
* 1912 Tracery
* 1913 Night Hawk
* 1914 Black Jester
* 1915 Pommern ₩
* 1916 Hurry On
* 1917 Gay Crusader ₩
* 1918 Gainsborough ₩
* 1919 Keysoe ♥
* 1920 Caligula
* 1921 Polemarch
* 1922 Royal Lancer
* 1923 Tranquil ♥
* 1924 Salmon-Trout
* 1925 Solario
* 1926 Coronach
* 1927 Book Law ♥
* 1928 Fairway
* 1929 Trigo
* 1930 Singapore
* 1931 Sandwich
* 1932 Firdaussi
* 1933 Hyperion
* 1934 Windsor Lad
* 1935 Bahram ₩
* 1936 Boswell
* 1937 Chulmleigh
* 1938 Scottish Union
* 1940 Turkhan
* 1941 Sun Castle
* 1942 Sun Chariot ♥ ₩
* 1943 Herringbone ♥
* 1944 Tehran
* 1945 Chamossaire
* 1946 Airborne
* 1947 Sayajirao
* 1948 Black Tarquin
* 1949 Ridge Wood
* 1950 Scratch
* 1951 Talma
* 1952 Tulyar
* 1953 Premonition
* 1954 Never Say Die
* 1955 Meld ♥ ₩
* 1956 Cambremer
* 1957 Ballymoss
* 1958 Alcide
* 1959 Cantelo ♥
* 1960 St. Paddy
* 1961 Aurelius
* 1962 Hethersett
* 1963 Ragusa
* 1964 Indiana
* 1965 Provoke
* 1966 Sodium
* 1967 Ribocco
* 1968 Ribero
* 1969 Intermezzo
* 1970 Nijinsky ₩
* 1971 Athens Wood
* 1972 Boucher
* 1973 Peleid
* 1974 Bustino
* 1975 Bruni
* 1976 Crow
* 1977 Dunfermline ♥
* 1978 Julio Mariner
* 1979 Son of Love
* 1980 Light Cavalry
* 1981 Cut Above
* 1982 Touching Wood
* 1983 Sun Princess ♥
* 1984 Commanche Run
* 1985 Oh So Sharp ♥ ₩
* 1986 Moon Madness
* 1987 Reference Point
* 1988 Minster Son
* 1989 Michelozzo
* 1990 Snurge
* 1991 Toulon
* 1992 User Friendly ♥
* 1993 Bob's Return
* 1994 Moonax
* 1995 Classic Cliche
* 1996 Shantou
* 1997 Silver Patriarch
* 1998 Nedawi
* 1999 Mutafaweq
* 2000 Millenary
* 2001 Milan
* 2002 Bollin Eric
* 2003 Brian Boru
* 2004 Rule of Law
* 2005 Scorpion
* 2006 Sixties Icon
* 2007 Lucarno
* 2008 Conduit
* 2009 Mastery
* 2010 Arctic Cosmos
* 2011 Masked Marvel
* 2012 Encke
* 2013 Leading Light
* 2014 Kingston Hill
* 2015 Simple Verse ♥
* 2016 Harbour Law
* 2017 Capri
* 2018 Kew Gardens
* 2019 Logician
* 2020 Galileo Chrome
* 2021 Hurricane Lane
* 2022 Eldar Eldarov
* 2023 Continuous

Legend \- ₩ = Triple Crown Winners, ♥ = Filly
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