Herod (horse)

British Thoroughbred racehorse

Herod

Herod (King Herod)

Sire| Tartar
Grandsire| Partner
Dam| Cypron
Damsire| Blaze
Sex| Stallion
Foaled| April 1758 (1758-04)
Died| 12 May 1780(1780-05-12) (aged 22)
Country| Great Britain
Colour| Bay
Breeder| Prince William, Duke of Cumberland
Owner| Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, Sir John Moore
Earnings| ca. £4,500
Awards
Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland
(1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783, 1784)
Last updated on 14 August 2009

Herod (originally King Herod; April 1758 – 12 May 1780) was a Thoroughbred racehorse. Herod was the foundation sire responsible for keeping the Byerley Turk sire-line alive.[1]

## Background

[edit]

Bred by Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, he was by the stallion Tartar, a very good racehorse, who won many races including the King's plate at Litchfield, the King's plate at Guildford, and the King's plate at Newmarket. In addition to Herod, Tartar sired Thais (dam of Silvertail), Fanny (second dam of King Fergus), the O'Kelly Old Tartar mare (dam of Volunteer), and others. Herod's dam, Cypron (1750 bay filly), was bred by Sir W. St Quintin. Herod was a half-brother Lady Bolingbroke (dam of Tetotum, Epsom Oaks) and a mare (1757) (dam of Clay Hall Marske) by Regulus.[2]

## Description

[edit]

Herod was a fine, bay horse standing 15.3 hands high with a small star and no white on his legs.[3] He was a powerful horse that was especially good at four-mile distances.[4]

## Racing career

[edit]

Herod began racing at five, the usual age to begin training for this period, in October 1763 winning a race on the four mile Beacon course at Newmarket. At age six, he won another race at Newmarket, followed by a four-miler at Ascot and a match against Antinous over the Beacon course. When he was seven, his owner died and he was sold in a dispersal sale to Sir John Moore, and it wasn't until 1766 that he returned to the track, where he won again against Antinous in a match over the same course.

His career began to close at this point, as he lost to Ascham, then to Turf, and then finished last in a race at York, after a bleeding attack. He started twice the following year, before retiring to stud.

## Breeding career

[edit]

Herod retired in 1770 and stood at the stud of Sir John Moore at Neather Hall, for a fee of 10 guineas, later raised to 25 guineas.[3] He was the leading sire in Great Britain eight times, (1777 to 1784), before his son, Highflyer (1785 to 1796, 1798) and grandson Sir Peter Teazle (1799 to 1802, and 1804 to 1809) took over. Herod's male line continues today in the pedigree of the 2007 Eclipse Stakes winner, Notnowcato. His most important offspring include:

* Florizel: 1768 bay colt, won 16 races out of 23 starts. Sired Diomed, winner of the first Derby and incredibly influential sire in America.
* Fortitude: sire of John Bull
* Highflyer: 1774 bay colt, the most important son of Herod. Unbeaten in 14 races, leading sire several times, one of the 4 foundation lines of the classic Thoroughbred. Got Sir Peter Teazle, Rockingham, Delpini, Escape, St George, and broodmare Prunella.
* Justice: sired Rhadamanthus, Daedalus, and Trifle
* Phoenomenon: won the St. Leger, leading sire
* Woodpecker: 1773 chestnut colt, won the Craven Stakes in 1778, 1779 and 1781, and a 1,400 guineas handicap sweep in 1780 and 140 guineas purse at Newmarket in 1781, both times beating Potoooooooo (pronounced "Pot eight oes"). Although Woodpecker was initially overshadowed by the success of Highflyer, it is Woodpecker who is responsible for the continuation of the Herod sire line to the present day. Woodpecker sired Buzzard, sire of Selim who in turn sired Sultan, six time leading sire, who in turn sired Bay Middleton, another leading sire in the mid 1800s.[5]

Herod sired the winners of 497 races worth £201,505.[4]

He was still covering mares until his death, at age 22, at Netherhall (written as Neather Hall in the old calendars) on 12 May 1780.[3][6]

Sire line descent tree

* Herod[7][8][9][10]
* Florizel[11][12]
* Moustrap
* Crookshanks
* Diomed[13][14]
* Grey Diomed
* Glaucus
* Anthony
* Cedar
* Greyhound
* Wrangler
* Poplar
* Albemarle
* Peacemaker
* Top Gallant
* Truxton
* Wonder
* Tennessee Oscar
* Florizel (Ball)
* Vingt'un
* Stump-the-Dealer
* Potomac[15]
* Sir Archy[16][17][18][19][20][21]
* Cicero
* Sir Arthur
* Director
* Grey Archy
* Spring Hill
* Tecumseh
* Young Sir Archy
* Columbus
* Reap Hook
* Warbler
* Walk-In-The-Water
* Timoleon
* Lawrence
* Carolinian
* Contention
* Kosciusko
* Napoleon
* Virginian
* Sir Solomon
* Rattler
* Sir Charles
* Sir William
* Childers
* Roanoke
* Muckle John[19]
* Sumpter
* Henry
* John Richards
* Stockholder
* Arab
* Bertrand[22][23]
* Cherokee
* Marion
* Phoenomenon
* Sir Richard
* Sir William of Transport
* Janus
* Rinaldo
* Robin Adair
* Gohanna
* Occupant
* Pacific
* Saxe Weimer
* Crusader
* Pirate
* Sir Archy Montorio
* Giles Scroggins
* Industry
* Merlin
* Red Gauntlet
* Tariff
* Hyazim
* Wild Bill
* Copperbottom[24][25]
* Longwaist
* Zinganee
* Duroc[26]
* Sir Lovell
* Trouble
* Marshal Duroc
* American Eclipse[27][28][29]
* Cock of the Rock
* Romp
* Messenger Duroc[30]
* American Star (Stockholm)[30]
* Hampton[26]
* Ulysses[31]
* Play or Pay[32]
* King William[33]
* Admiral[33]
* Fortunio
* King Bladud
* Prince Frederick[33]
* Slender[33]
* Punch[33]
* Fidget
* Fidget Colt
* Brilliant
* Bustler
* Florizel[33]
* Prizefighter[34]
* Swordsman[35]
* Spartacus
* Buffer
* Lenox
* Abundance
* The Curragh Guide
* Master Robert[36]
* Eager
* Slapbang
* Tartar
* Ninety-three
* Magnet[37]
* Ringwood
* Poker
* Shoveler
* Dare Devil[38]
* Magnetic Needle[33]
* Plunder[39]
* Oak
* Postmaster[40]
* Express[33]
* Fitzherod
* Mufti[41][42]
* Earby
* Trafalgar
* Woodpecker[43][44]
* Buzzard[45][46]
* Poppinjay
* Dotterel
* Quiz[47][48]
* Tigris
* Roller
* Euphrates
* Brainstorm
* Glow-Worm
* Bustard
* Castrel[49][50]
* Bustard
* Heron
* Fisherman[51]
* Merlin[36]
* Pantaloon[52][53]
* Selim[54][55][56]
* Champion
* Fandango
* Azor
* Sultan[57][58][59]
* Feramorz
* Langar[60][61]
* Marcellus
* Nicolo
* Saracen
* The Moslem
* Turcoman
* Deceiver
* Pantaloon
* Rubens[62]
* Raphael
* Bobadil
* Gainsborough
* Sovereign
* Strephon
* Doctor Eady
* Tandem
* Taniers
* Peter Lely
* Titian
* Holbein
* Wiseacre
* Roderick
* Sir Edward Codrington
* Hephestion
* Junius
* Buzzard (Blackburn)
* Chanticleer[63][50]
* Traveller
* Fitz Emily
* Bob Booty
* Dunkellin
* Byron
* Napoleon
* Dragon[64]
* Speculator
* Phoenix
* Tom Tough
* Dragon (Cage)
* Young Woodpecker
* Slender Billy
* Bourdeaux
* Highlander[33]
* Highflyer[65][66][67]
* Delpini[68][69]
* Timothy
* Symmetry
* Lenox
* Deserter[33]
* Evander[70]
* Pericles
* Seymour[35]
* Moses
* Young Seymour[71]
* Pharamond[66]
* Rockingham[72][73]
* Highflyer (Hyde)[33]
* Slope[66]
* Noble[74][75]
* Sheet Anchor
* Sir Peter Teazle[76][77]
* Young Sir Peter Teazle
* Ambrosio
* Old England[7]
* Brown Bread
* Honest John[33]
* Stamford
* Viscount[78]
* Knowsley
* Sir Harry[79]
* Sir Alfred
* Sir Hal
* Moses
* Archduke
* Roseden
* Expectation
* Robin Redbreast
* Sir Solomon
* Agonistes
* Haphazard[80][81]
* X Y Z
* Don Cossack
* Filho da Puta
* Antar
* Reginald
* Figaro
* Pipylin
* Walton[82][83]
* Phantom
* Vandyke Junior
* Rainbow
* Partisan
* Nectar
* Waterloo
* Arbutus
* St Patrick[84]
* Ditto
* Luzborough
* Sir Oliver
* Olive
* Doge of Venice
* Barbarossa
* Caleb Quot'em
* Sir Paul
* Otho
* Paulowitz[85]
* Fyldener[86]
* Tozer
* Buffalo
* Bramshill
* Paris
* Trafalgar
* Cardinal York[7][65]
* Advance
* Petronius
* Spadille[87]
* Dion
* Quatorze
* Vole
* Manilla
* Spindleshanks
* Escape[88][89]
* Emigrant
* Jonah
* Traveller[90][91]
* Skylark[66]
* Skyscraper[92][93]
* Skyrocket
* Sourcrout[66][33]
* Walnut[94][95]
* Gamenut
* Lignum Vitae
* Merry Andrew
* Sowerby
* True Blue
* Archibald
* Ashton
* Lambinos[66]
* St George[96]
* Zodiac
* Sweetwilliam
* Pan
* Oberon[66]
* Exton[33]
* Moorcock[97]
* Ptarmigan
* Heathpoult
* Plunder
* Diamond[98][99]
* Highflyer (Hyde)[33]
* Justice[100]
* Mentor
* Rhadamanthus[101]
* Daedalus
* Il' Mio[102]
* Blandish
* Minos
* Weazle[95]
* Whipcord[95]
* Anvil[103][104]
* St George
* Cymbeline
* O' Kelly
* Drone[38][33]
* Arra Kooker[33]
* Lounger
* Fortitude
* John Bull[105][7][8]
* Admiral Nelson
* Alfred
* Fortitude
* Muley Moloch
* Cesario
* Gauntlet
* Paddy Bull
* Ardrossan
* Sir Malichi Malagrowther
* Tom Tug(g)[106]
* Commodore[50]
* Escape
* Rugantino[73]
* Nabocklish
* Antagonist
* Bagot[107]
* Master Bagot
* Phoenomenon[108][34]
* Ambidexter
* Boreas
* Idas
* Lizard
* Diomed (Tate)[33]
* Huby
* Restless
* Freeholder
* Roman
* Spunk
* Gay Deceiver
* Brilliant
* Hydaspes
* Tygress
* Hero
* Wonder
* Firetail
* Stripling[35]
* Octavian[109]
* Antonio[110]
* Stotforth
* Brother to Vivaldi[111]

## Pedigree

[edit]

Pedigree of Herod, bay stallion, 1758  Sire
Tartar
ch. 1743  | Partner
ch. 1718  | Jigg
br. 1701  | Byerley Turk

|
|
|

Spanker Mare
Sister to Mixbury | Curwen's Bay Barb
Curwen Spot Mare
Meliora
ch. 1729  | Fox
b. 1714  | Clumsey
Bay Peg
Milkmaid
1720  | Whartons Snail
Shields Galloway
Dam
Cypron
br. 1750  | Blaze
1733  | Flying Childers
b. 1715  | Darley Arabian
Betty Leedes
Confederate filly
1720  | Grey Grantham
Rutland's Black Barb
Salome
blk. 1733  | Bethells Arabian
c.1711  | (unknown)
(unknown)
Champion Mare | Graham's Champion
Darley Arabian Mare

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Craig, Dennis, Breeding Racehorses from Cluster Mares, J A Allen, London, 1964
2. ^ ASB – Cypron Retrieved on 2009-8-14
3. ^ a b c Montgomery, E.S, "The Thoroughbred", Arco, New York, 1973 ISBN 0-668-02824-6
4. ^ a b Ahnert, Rainer L. (editor in chief), "Thoroughbred Breeding of the World", Pozdun Publishing, Germany, 1970
5. ^ "Historic Sire Lines". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
6. ^ Morris, Simon; Tesio Power 2000 – Stallions of the World
7. ^ a b c d Byerley Turk Line
8. ^ a b Herod Sire Line
9. ^ Portrait: Herod
10. ^ Biography: Herod
11. ^ Foundation Sire: Florizel
12. ^ Biography: Florizel
13. ^ Portrait: Diomed
14. ^ Biography: Diomed
15. ^ Studbook: Early P
16. ^ Portrait: Sir Archy
17. ^ Biography: Sir Archy
18. ^ Hall of Fame: Sir Archy
19. ^ a b The Bloodlines Chart
20. ^ Virginia Horse: Sir Archy
21. ^ Memoir of Sir Archy/Archie, the Godolphin Arabian of America
22. ^ Portrait: Bertrand
23. ^ Studbook: Early B
24. ^ "Copperbottom" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
25. ^ "Lost Bloodline". Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
26. ^ a b Portrait: Duroc
27. ^ Portrait: American Eclipse
28. ^ Biography: American Eclipse
29. ^ Hall of Fame: American Eclipse
30. ^ a b American Bloodstock
31. ^ Foundation Sire: Ulysses
32. ^ Foundation Sire: Play or Pay
33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r CHAPTER XVII. MESSENGER AND HIS ANCESTORS
34. ^ a b Studbook: Early P
35. ^ a b c Studbook: Early S
36. ^ a b Studbook: Early M
37. ^ Foundation sire: Magnet
38. ^ a b Studbook: Early D
39. ^ Foundation sire: Plunder
40. ^ Foundation sire: Postmaster
41. ^ Foundation sire: Mufti
42. ^ Biography: Mufti
43. ^ Foundation sire: Woodpecker
44. ^ Biography: Woodpecker
45. ^ Buzzard Sire Line
46. ^ Foundation sire: Buzzard
47. ^ Foundation sire: Quiz
48. ^ Biography: Quiz
49. ^ Portrait: Castrel
50. ^ a b c Studbook: Early C
51. ^ Herod's Vanishing Sire Line
52. ^ Portrait: Pantaloon
53. ^ Biography: Pantaloon
54. ^ "Selim Sire Line". Archived from the original on 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
55. ^ Foundation sire: Selim
56. ^ Biography: Selim
57. ^ Portrait: Sultan
58. ^ Biography: Sultan
59. ^ Sultan's huge influence has been overlooked for too long
60. ^ Portrait: Langar
61. ^ Studbook: Early L
62. ^ Biography: Rubens
63. ^ Foundation sire: Chanticleer
64. ^ Foundation sire: Dragon
65. ^ a b Highflyer Sire Line
66. ^ a b c d e f g Portrait: Highflyer
67. ^ Biography: Highflyer
68. ^ Foundation sire: Delpini
69. ^ Biography: Delpini
70. ^ Foundation sire: Evander
71. ^ Norfolk Pedgiree
72. ^ Foundation sire: Rockingham
73. ^ a b Studbook: Early QR
74. ^ General Stud Book
75. ^ Foundation sire: Noble
76. ^ Portrait: Sir Peter Teazle
77. ^ Biography: Sir Peter Teazle
78. ^ Studbook: Early UV
79. ^ Portrait: Sir Harry
80. ^ Foundation sire: Haphazard
81. ^ Biography: Haphazard
82. ^ Portrait: Walton
83. ^ Biography: Walton
84. ^ Portrait: St Patrick
85. ^ Portrait: Paulowitz
86. ^ Racing Calendar 1817
87. ^ Foundation sire: Spadille
88. ^ Foundation sire: Escape
89. ^ Biography: Escape
90. ^ Foundation sires: T
91. ^ Biography: Traveller
92. ^ Foundation sire: Skyscraper
93. ^ Biography: Skyscraper
94. ^ Foundation sire: Walnut
95. ^ a b c Studbook: Early W
96. ^ Biography: St George
97. ^ Foundation sire: Moorcock
98. ^ Foundation sire: Diamond
99. ^ Biography: Diamond
100. ^ Foundation sire: Justice
101. ^ Foundation sire: Rhadamanthus
102. ^ Foundation sire: Il' Mio
103. ^ Foundation sire: Anvil
104. ^ Biography: Anvil
105. ^ Foundation Sire: John Bull
106. ^ Studbook: Early T
107. ^ Studbook: Early B
108. ^ Foundation sire: Phoenomenon
109. ^ Studbook: Early NO
110. ^ Biography: Antonio
111. ^ Foundation sires: B

## External links

[edit]

* Thoroughbred Bloodlines: King Herod (GB)
* Thoroughbred Heritage: Herod