Mimi (horse)

British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Mimi

Sire| Barcaldine
Grandsire| Solon
Dam| Lord Lyon mare
Damsire| Lord Lyon
Sex| Mare
Foaled| 1888[1]
Country| United Kingdom
Colour| Brown
Breeder| Sir Tatton Sykes, 5th Baronet
Owner| Noel Fenwick
Trainer| Mathew Dawson
Record| 13: 8-1-1
Earnings| £14,342
Major wins
Clearwell Stakes (1890)
1000 Guineas (1891)
Newmarket Stakes (1891)
Oaks Stakes (1891)

Mimi (1888 - 1907) was a dual classic-winning British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a two-year-old in 1890 she showed very promising form to win her first four starts but was well beaten when stepped up in class to contest the Middle Park Plate and the Dewhurst Plate. She established herself as the best filly of her generation in May 1891 with three wins in 26 days, taking the 1000 Guineas over one mile, the Newmarket Stakes over ten furlongs and the Oaks Stakes over 1+1⁄2 miles. She was subsequently beaten in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Leicester and was no match for Common in the St Leger. She was retired from racing at the end of the year and went on to have some success as a dam of winners.

## Background

[edit]

Mimi was a brown mare bred by Tatton Sykes at his Sledmere Stud, near Driffield in Yorkshire. As a yearling she was consigned to the sales at Doncaster and was bought for 1000 guineas on behalf of Noel Fenwick. The filly was sent into training with the semi-retired veteran Mathew Dawson at his Melton House stable in Newmarket, Suffolk.[2]

Mimi's sire was the undefeated Irish champion Barcaldine, a representative of the Godolphin Arabian sire line,[3] who also sired the Epsom Derby winner Sir Visto and the influential sire Marco. Her dam, an unnamed mare sired by Lord Lyon, also produced Priestess, the dam of Nun Nicer.[4]

## Racing career

[edit]

### 1890: two-year-old season

[edit]

Mimi began her racing career with four consecutive wins. She took the Lavant Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse, the Zetland Stakes (not the current race of the same name) at Newmarket Racecourse and the Two-Year-Old Stakes at the latter track.[5]

On 7 October, over six furlongs at Newmarket, Mimi won the Clearwell Stakes at odds of 1/8, beating the colt Woolthorpe (her only opponent) by three quarters of a length.[6] On the following day over the same course and distance Mimi started at odds of 7/1 the Middle Park Plate, which was then the most prestigious two-year-old race of the season, and sustained her first defeat as she came home fifth behind the French-bred colt Gouverneur.[7] At the next Newmarket meeting three weeks later she ran disappointingly when coming home last of five behind Lord Rosebery's filly Corstorphine (also trained by Dawson) in the seven furlong Dewhurst Plate,[8] with press reports suggesting that she had failed to stay the longer distance.[9] She ended the year with earnings of £1,887.[5]

Fenwick put his filly up for auction at Newmarket in autumn, but she failed to reach her reserve price of 5,500 guineas.[10]

### 1891: three-year-old season

[edit]

On 1 May, ridden by Fred Rickaby, Mimi was one of 12 fillies to contest the 78th running of the 1000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile course. She started the 7/1 third choice in the betting behind Siphonia (who had finished ahead of her when runner-up in both the Middle Park and the Dewhurst) and Lord Ellesmere's Belvidera. She had been available at 10/1 shortly before the race but her odds shortened after several large wagers were placed by her owner, Noel Fenwick. Mimi led from the start turned back a challenge from her stablemate Melody and won "easily"[11] by 1+1⁄2 lengths, with Siphonia three lengths back in third place.[12] Her winning time of 1:44.2 seconds was almost three seconds faster than that recorded by Common in the 2000 Guineas over the same course two days earlier.[13]

Twelve days later Mimi was moved up in distance and matched against male opposition in the Newmarket Stakes over ten furlongs for which she started 9/2 second favourite behind the Duke of Westminster's highly regarded colt Orion. Melody set the pace with Mimi, ridden by John Watts settling in second place before going to the front in the last quarter mile. She won with "cleverly" by three quarters of a length from Melody with the colt St Simon of the Rock taking third ahead of Orion.[14]

The 113th edition of the Oaks Stakes over 1+1⁄2 miles at Epsom Racecourse on 29 May attracted a field of six runners, but appeared to be effectively a match race between Mimi, the 4/7 favourite, and Corstorphine, who started at 7/2. With Rickaby again in the saddle, Mimi raced in third place behind Sabra and St Kilda before "sweeping" past to take the lead on the final turn. She drew away in the last quarter mile to win "in a canter" by four lengths from Corstorphine, with third place going to the 50/1 outsider Lady Primrose.[15] As at Newmarket her winning time bettered that of Common in the colt's classic: the Oaks was won in 2:54.6 while the Derby Stakes took 2:56.8.

On her next appearance Mimi was made 4/7 favourite to win the £6,000 Prince of Wales Stakes over one mile at Leicester Racecourse on 9 July but ran "very slack" as she finished last of the six runners in a race won by the French colt Reverend.[16] Noel Fenwick believed that his filly had been "got at" (deliberately injured or drugged) and the resulting argument over stable security saw him threaten to remove his horses from Dawson's yard.[2] In September Mimi attempted to complete the Triple Crown when she took on colts in the St Leger over 14+1⁄2 furlongs at Doncaster Racecourse. She started 5/1 second favourite but after running well until the final turn she dropped rapidly from contention and came home fifth of the nine runners behind Common. The fact that Reverend finished second suggested that Mimi needed no excuses for her Leicester defeat.[2] Two days later, over the same course and distance, Mimi was made 5/4 favourite for the Park Hill Stakes, an event which saw her conceding weight to her three opponents. She produced an improved effort without recovering her best form and finished a close third behind Cereza and Haute Saone.[17] She ended her racing career with a minor victory at Newmarket in October.[18]

Mimi earned £12,455 as a three-year-old.[19]

## Breeding record

[edit]

At the end of her racing career Mimi was bought back by Tatton Sykes and returned to her birthplace at Sledmere to become a broodmare. She produced at least twelve foals and several good winners[2] between 1893 and 1907:

* Mimic, a bay colt, foaled in 1893, sired by Galopin. Winner.
* St Simonmimi, brown colt, 1894, by St Simon. Unraced.
* Simonsbath, bay colt (gelded), 1896, by St Simon
* Simile, bay colt, 1897, by St Simon
* St Maclou, bay colt, 1898, by St Simon. Won Lincolnshire Handicap.[20]
* Royal Minister, bay colt, 1899, by Royal Hampton
* Mintagon, chestnut colt, 1901, by Martagon. Won Cesarewitch.[20]
* Mimo, bay colt, 1902, by Isinglass
* Persimi, chestnut colt, 1904, Persimmon
* Unnamed filly, brown filly, 1905 St Frusquin. Exported to Belgium in 1908.
* Stymie, brown colt, 1906, by St Frusquin
* Unnamed filly, bay filly, 1907, by William the Third

Mimi died in 1907.[21]

## Pedigree

[edit]

Pedigree of Mimi (GB), brown mare, 1890[1] Sire
Barcaldine (IRE)
1878  | Solon
1861  | West Australian (GB)  | Melbourne

|
|
|

Mowerina
Birdcatcher mare | Birdcatcher
Hetman Platoff mare
Ballyroe
1872  | Belladrum (GB)  | Stockwell
Catherine Hayes
Bon Accord  | Adventurer (GB)
Birdcatcher mare
Dam
Lord Lyon mare (GB)
1870  | Lord Lyon
1863  | Stockwell | The Baron (IRE)
Pocahontas
Paradigm  | Paragone
Ellen Horne
Sadie
1858  | Voltigeur | Voltaire
Martha Lynn
Julia  | Launcelot
Miss Nancy (Family: 12-f)[4]

* Mimi was inbred 3 × 4 to both Stockwell and the Birdcatcher mare, meaning that these horses in both the third and fourth generations of her pedigree.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Mimi pedigree". Equineline.
2. ^ a b c d Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane’s. ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
3. ^ "Godolphin Arabian Line". Tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2011-11-18.
4. ^ a b "Miss Nancy - Family 12-f". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.
5. ^ a b "Sporting". The New Zealand Herald. 4 May 1891. p. 6 - via Papers Past.
6. ^ "Talk of the Day". Otago Witness. 4 December 1890. p. 25 - via Papers Past.
7. ^ "Racing in England. Newmarket Second October". Otago Witness. 4 December 1890. p. 27 - via Papers Past.
8. ^ "Sporting Notes from Home". The New Zealand Times. 15 December 1890. p. 3 - via Papers Past.
9. ^ "Table Talk". Evening Star. 20 December 1890. p. 3 - via Papers Past.
10. ^ "Sporting". New Zealand Herald. 4 July 1891. p. 6 - via Papers Past.
11. ^ "The English Classic Races". Auckland Star. 20 June 1891. p. 3 - via Papers Past.
12. ^ "Newmarket First". Otago Witness. 25 June 1891. p. 26 - via Papers Past.
13. ^ "Talk of the Day". Otago Witness. 18 June 1891. p. 25 - via Papers Past.
14. ^ "Newmarket Second Spring". Otago Witness. 25 June 1891. p. 27 - via Papers Past.
15. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 23 July 1891. p. 27 - via Papers Past.
16. ^ "Newmarket July". Otago Witness. 20 August 1891. p. 27 - via Papers Past.
17. ^ "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 12 November 1891. p. 29 - via Papers Past.
18. ^ "English Sporting Letter". The New Zealand Times. 11 February 1892. p. 4 - via Papers Past.
19. ^ "Talk of the Day. by Mazeppa". Otago Witness. 15 June 1892. p. 27 - via Papers Past.
20. ^ a b Abelson, Edward; Tyrrel, John (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books Publishing. ISBN 978-1-873626-15-3.
21. ^ Wetherby (1909). "Mimi". The General Stud Book. 21: 523. hdl:2027/coo.31924066667258. Retrieved 15 June 2018.

* v
* t
* e

1000 Guineas winners

* 1814 Charlotte
* 1815 Filly by Selim
* 1816 Rhoda
* 1817 Neva
* 1818 Corinne
* 1819 Catgut
* 1820 Rowena
* 1821 Zeal
* 1822 Whizgig
* 1823 Zinc
* 1824 Cobweb
* 1825 Tontine
* 1826 Problem
* 1827 Arab
* 1828 Zoe
* 1829 Young Mouse
* 1830 Charlotte West
* 1831 Galantine
* 1832 Galata
* 1833 Tarantella
* 1834 May-day
* 1835 Preserve
* 1836 Destiny
* 1837 Chapeau d'Espagne
* 1838 Barcarolle
* 1839 Cara
* 1840 Crucifix ‡
* 1841 Potentia
* 1842 Firebrand
* 1843 Extempore
* 1844 Sorella
* 1845 Pic-nic
* 1846 Mendicant
* 1847 Clementine
* 1848 Canezou
* 1849 The Flea
* 1850 Lady Orford
* 1851 Aphrodite
* 1852 Kate
* 1853 Mentmore Lass
* 1854 Virago
* 1855 Habena
* 1856 Manganese
* 1857 Imperieuse
* 1858 Governess
* 1859 Mayonaise
* 1860 Sagitta
* 1861 Nemesis
* 1862 Hurricane
* 1863 Lady Augusta
* 1864 Tomato
* 1865 Siberia
* 1866 Repulse
* 1867 Achievement
* 1868 Formosa ₩ ‡
* 1869 Scottish Queen
* 1870 Hester
* 1871 Hannah ₩
* 1872 Reine
* 1873 Cecilia
* 1874 Apology ₩
* 1875 Spinaway
* 1876 Camelia
* 1877 Belphoebe
* 1878 Pilgrimage
* 1879 Wheel of Fortune
* 1880 Elizabeth
* 1881 Thebais
* 1882 St Marguerite
* 1883 Hauteur
* 1884 Busybody
* 1885 Farewell
* 1886 Miss Jummy
* 1887 Reve d'Or
* 1888 Briarroot
* 1889 Minthe
* 1890 Semolina
* 1891 Mimi
* 1892 La Fleche ₩
* 1893 Siffleuse
* 1894 Amiable
* 1895 Galeottia
* 1896 Thais
* 1897 Chelandry
* 1898 Nun Nicer
* 1899 Sibola
* 1900 Winifreda
* 1901 Aida
* 1902 Sceptre ₩ ‡
* 1903 Quintessence
* 1904 Pretty Polly ₩
* 1905 Cherry Lass
* 1906 Flair
* 1907 Witch Elm
* 1908 Rhodora
* 1909 Electra
* 1910 Winkipop
* 1911 Atmah
* 1912 Tagalie
* 1913 Jest
* 1914 Princess Dorrie
* 1915 Vaucluse
* 1916 Canyon
* 1917 Diadem
* 1918 Ferry
* 1919 Roseway
* 1920 Cinna
* 1921 Bettina
* 1922 Silver Urn
* 1923 Tranquil
* 1924 Plack
* 1925 Saucy Sue
* 1926 Pillion
* 1927 Cresta Run
* 1928 Scuttle
* 1929 Taj Mah
* 1930 Fair Isle
* 1931 Four Course
* 1932 Kandy
* 1933 Brown Betty
* 1934 Campanula
* 1935 Mesa
* 1936 Tide-way
* 1937 Exhibitionnist
* 1938 Rockfel
* 1939 Galatea II
* 1940 Godiva
* 1941 Dancing Time
* 1942 Sun Chariot ₩
* 1943 Herringbone
* 1944 Picture Play
* 1945 Sun Stream
* 1946 Hypericum
* 1947 Imprudence
* 1948 Queenpot
* 1949 Musidora
* 1950 Camaree
* 1951 Belle of All
* 1952 Zabara
* 1953 Happy Laughter
* 1954 Festoon
* 1955 Meld ₩
* 1956 Honeylight
* 1957 Rose Royale
* 1958 Bella Paola
* 1959 Petite Etoile
* 1960 Never Too Late
* 1961 Sweet Solera
* 1962 Abermaid
* 1963 Hula Dancer
* 1964 Pourparler
* 1965 Night Off
* 1966 Glad Rags
* 1967 Fleet
* 1968 Caergwrle
* 1969 Full Dress
* 1970 Humble Duty
* 1971 Altesse Royale
* 1972 Waterloo
* 1973 Mysterious
* 1974 Highclere
* 1975 Nocturnal Spree
* 1976 Flying Water
* 1977 Mrs McArdy
* 1978 Enstone Spark
* 1979 One in a Million
* 1980 Quick As Lightning
* 1981 Fairy Footsteps
* 1982 On The House
* 1983 Ma Biche
* 1984 Pebbles
* 1985 Oh So Sharp ₩
* 1986 Midway Lady
* 1987 Miesque
* 1988 Ravinella
* 1989 Musical Bliss
* 1990 Salsabil
* 1991 Shadayid
* 1992 Hatoof
* 1993 Sayyedati
* 1994 Las Meninas
* 1995 Harayir
* 1996 Bosra Sham
* 1997 Sleepytime
* 1998 Cape Verdi
* 1999 Wince
* 2000 Lahan
* 2001 Ameerat
* 2002 Kazzia
* 2003 Russian Rhythm
* 2004 Attraction
* 2005 Virginia Waters
* 2006 Speciosa
* 2007 Finsceal Beo
* 2008 Natagora
* 2009 Ghanaati
* 2010 Special Duty
* 2011 Blue Bunting
* 2012 Homecoming Queen
* 2013 Sky Lantern
* 2014 Miss France
* 2015 Legatissimo
* 2016 Minding
* 2017 Winter
* 2018 Billesdon Brook
* 2019 Hermosa
* 2020 Love
* 2021 Mother Earth
* 2022 Cachet
* 2023 Mawj
* 2024 Elmalka
* 2025 Desert Flower

Legend \- ₩ = Fillies Triple Crown winners, † = Epsom Derby winners, ‡ = 2000 Guineas Stakes winners

* v
* t
* e

Epsom Oaks winners

* 1779 Bridget
* 1780 Tetotum
* 1781 Faith
* 1782 Ceres
* 1783 Maid of the Oaks
* 1784 Stella
* 1785 Trifle
* 1786 Yellow Filly
* 1787 Annette
* 1788 Nightshade
* 1789 Tag
* 1790 Hippolyta
* 1791 Portia
* 1792 Volante
* 1793 Caelia
* 1794 Hermione
* 1795 Platina
* 1796 Parisot
* 1797 Nike
* 1798 Bellissima
* 1799 Bellina
* 1800 Ephemera
* 1801 Eleanor †
* 1802 Scotia
* 1803 Theophania
* 1804 Pelisse
* 1805 Meteora
* 1806 Bronze
* 1807 Briseis
* 1808 Morel
* 1809 Maid of Orleans
* 1810 Oriana
* 1811 Sorcery
* 1812 Manuella
* 1813 Music
* 1814 Medora
* 1815 Minuet
* 1816 Landscape
* 1817 Neva
* 1818 Corinne
* 1819 Shoveler
* 1820 Caroline
* 1821 Augusta
* 1822 Pastille ‡
* 1823 Zinc
* 1824 Cobweb
* 1825 Wings
* 1826 Lilias
* 1827 Gulnare
* 1828 Turquoise
* 1829 Green Mantle
* 1830 Variation
* 1831 Oxygen
* 1832 Galata
* 1833 Vespa
* 1834 Pussy
* 1835 Queen of Trumps
* 1836 Cyprian
* 1837 Miss Letty
* 1838 Industry
* 1839 Deception
* 1840 Crucifix ‡
* 1841 Ghuznee
* 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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