Orwell (horse)

British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Orwell

2000 Guineas (1932, Newmarket)

Sire| Gainsborough
Grandsire| Bayardo
Dam| Golden Hair
Damsire| Golden Sun
Sex| Stallion
Foaled| 1929
Country| United Kingdom
Colour| Brown
Owner| Washington Singer
Trainer| Joseph Lawson
Record| 11:8-0-1
Earnings| £30,106[1]
Major wins
National Breeders' Produce Stakes (1931)
Champagne Stakes (1931)
Imperial Produce Stakes (1931)
Middle Park Stakes (1931)
Greenham Stakes (1932)
2000 Guineas (1932)
Awards
Top-rated British Two-year-old (1931)

Orwell (1929–1948), also known as the Golden Hair Colt, was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from June 1931 to September 1932 he ran eleven times and won eight races. He was the leading British two-year-old of his generation, winning five successive races in 1931 including the Champagne Stakes and the Middle Park Stakes. During this season he was one of the last notable racehorses to race without being officially named. The following year he won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket but was beaten when starting favourite for both The Derby and the St. Leger Stakes. At the end of 1932 he was retired to stud, where his record was disappointing.

## Background

[edit]

Orwell was a good-looking, medium-sized bay horse with a "docile and sensible"[2] temperament bred by the shipping magnate Marmaduke Furness, 1st Viscount Furness. As a yearling he was sent to the sales at Doncaster where he was bought for 3,000 guineas[3] by Washington Singer. Singer sent the colt to be trained at Manton in Wiltshire by Joseph Lawson. Orwell was sired by the wartime Triple Crown winner Gainsborough out of the mare Golden Hair, a daughter of the sprinter Golden Sun.[4][5]

Until 1913, there was no requirement for British racehorses to have official names and two-year-olds were allowed to run without names until 1946.[6] The practice of running horses unnamed had once been common, but had largely fallen out of use by the early 20th Century. Singer however, delayed naming his horse, and the colt who would become Orwell raced throughout his first season under the descriptive name of "The Golden Hair Colt".[7]

## Racing career

[edit]

### 1931: two-year-old season

[edit]

The Golden Hair Colt made his racecourse debut at the Derby meeting at Epsom in the early summer of 1931. He had already acquired a reputation on the basis of his performances on the training gallops and started favourite, but finished third, a failure ascribed to his lack of experience and dislike of the firm ground.[7] It proved to be his only defeat of the year. In June he was sent to Royal Ascot where he won the Chesham Stakes and then travelled to Sandown where he won the valuable National Breeders' Produce Stakes. By the end of July he was already regarded as one of the best of an unusually strong crop of British juveniles.[8]

The Golden Hair Colt returned after a break to contest the prestigious Champagne Stakes at Doncaster's St Leger meeting in September. He won emphatically by four lengths from Mowgli, creating such a favourable impression that he was described as the best two-year-old seen in Britain since The Tetrarch twenty years earlier. Speculation at the time was that he would probably be named Triton.[2] He then took the Imperial Produce Stakes on 10 October at Kempton Park, a win which allowed Joe Lawson to break the earnings record for a trainer in a British season.[3] On his final start of the year he ran at Newmarket in the Middle Park Stakes, one of the season's most important races for two-year-olds. He won the race, taking his earnings to £19,468, breaking the record for a two-year-old trained in Britain which had stood since Donovan earned £16,487 in 1888.[9] By this time he was being described as "the greatest two-year-old since Ormonde.[5] In the Free Handicap, a ranking of the season's best juveniles, he was given the top rating of 133 pounds, although he surprisingly had to share first place with his unbeaten stable companion Mannamead.[10] At the conclusion of the 1931 season, the Golden Hair Colt was officially registered under the name of Orwell.

### 1932: three-year-old season

[edit]

Before Orwell raced in 1932, his prospects of Classic success were improved when Mannamead broke down in training.[11] On 8 April Orwell returned after the winter break to win the Greenham Stakes at Newbury Racecourse in which he raced over seven furlongs for the first time. Three weeks later he was stepped up to a mile for the first Classic of the season, the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Ridden by Robert "Bobby" Jones, he started evens (1/1) favourite in a field of eleven runners for a race run on soft ground in cool and windy conditions. Orwell looked impressive before the race and was tightly restrained by Jones in the early stages. Three furlongs from the finish he was switched left to obtain a clear run and made rapid progress to move up alongside the leader Dastur. In the closing stages he drew clear "in the smoothest possible style"[12] and won by two lengths from Dastur with Hesperus in third.

Orwell's pedigree (on his dam's side) and his style of racing (he had "the action of a sprinter"[12]) led to doubts about his ability to stay one and a half miles in the Derby,[13] but others argued that his sire was positive influence for stamina and his stable were reported to be confident following impressive performances in exercise.[14] In the build-up to the Epsom Classic there were rumours of plans to prevent the horse from running and he was subject to strict security, appearing in the paddock before the race surrounded by guards and preceded by a mounted policeman.[14] His owner was not among the huge crowd, having been forbidden from attending by his doctors who feared that the excitement of seeing his colt run could prove fatal.[15] Orwell started the 5/4 favourite for the race in a field of twenty-one runners. Jones produced him with a run on the outside in the straight but he quickly came under pressure and weakened to finish ninth behind April the Fifth. Although his defeat was initially blamed on his failure to stay the distance and inability to handle the course[14] he was subsequently found to be lame.[16]

Orwell did not run again before the St Leger at Doncaster on 7 September. Despite a break of more than three months and the extended distance of one and three quarter miles he was again made favourite at odds of 4/1.[17] He briefly looked to be a threat when moving into second place two furlongs from the finish but faded and finished unplaced behind the Aga Khan's colt Firdaussi.[18] Three weeks after his defeat at Doncaster, Orwell was brought back in distance for the ten furlong Great Foal Stakes at Newmarket. He won the race but finished lame and was retired shortly afterwards.[19]

## Stud career

[edit]

Orwell was retired to stud at King Edward's Place, Wanborough, Wiltshire. His stud career was a disappointment, and he made very little impact before his death in 1948. His only major winner was Rosewell, who won the Irish Derby in 1938 and sired the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Linwell and the Champion Hurdler Distel.[20]

## Pedigree

[edit]

Pedigree of Orwell (GB), bay stallion, 1929  Sire
Gainsborough (GB)
1915  | Bayardo
1906  | Bay Ronald | Hampton*

|
|
|

Black Duchess
Galicia  | Galopin*
Isoletta
Rosedrop
1907  | St. Frusquin | St. Simon*
Isabel
Rosaline  | Trenton
Rosalys
Dam
Golden Hair (GB)
1920  | Golden Sun
1910  | Sundridge  | Amphion
Sierra
Golden Lassie  | Pioneer
Nepenthe
Tendril
1902  | St. Simon* | Galopin*
St. Angela
Sweetwater  | Hampton*
Muscatel (Family:10-b)[4]

* Orwell's pedigree contains examples of inbreeding. He was inbred 3 × 4 to St. Simon, meaning that this stallion appears in both the third and fourth genearions of his pedigree. He was also inbred 4 × 4 to both Hampton and Galopin.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "ENGLISH STATISTICS". Evening Post. 12 January 1933. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
2. ^ a b "GOLDEN HAIR COLT". Evening Post. 22 October 1931. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
3. ^ a b "RECORD FOR MANTON". Evening Post. 24 November 1931. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
4. ^ a b "Bonny Bell - Family 10-b". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
5. ^ a b "GAY CREST'S WEIGHT IN AUSTRALIA A PONY OF CLASS GOLDEN HAIR COLT". Evening Post. 14 December 1931. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
6. ^ Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1990). Horse Racing: Records, Facts, Champions (Third ed.). Guinness Publishing. ISBN 0-85112-902-1.
7. ^ a b Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane’s. ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
8. ^ "ENGLISH YOUNGSTERS". Evening Post. 10 September 1931. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
9. ^ "TWO-YEAR-OLD WINNERS". Evening Post. 15 January 1932. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
10. ^ "HOW THEY ARE RATED". Evening Post. 8 February 1932. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
11. ^ "MANNAMEAD'S MISHAP". Evening Post. 9 April 1932. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
12. ^ a b "ORWELL'S BRILLIANCE". Evening Post. 9 June 1932. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
13. ^ "RACING NEWS". Evening Post. 1 June 1932. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
14. ^ a b c "SENSATIONAL DERBY". Evening Post. 6 July 1932. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
15. ^ "UNLUCKY OWNER". Evening Post. 28 May 1932. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
16. ^ "LAMENESS OF ORWELL". Evening Post. 28 July 1932. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
17. ^ "THE ST. LEGER. The Aga Khan's Triumph". Brisbane Courier. 9 Sep 1932. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
18. ^ "DONCASTER ST. LEGER". Evening Post. 8 September 1932. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
19. ^ "SPORTING NEWS THE TURF. TURF NOTES". Townsville Daily Bulletin. 20 Dec 1932. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
20. ^ "Gainsborough". Tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2012-03-12.

* v
* t
* e

2000 Guineas winners

* 1809 Wizard
* 1810 Hephestion
* 1811 Trophonius
* 1812 Cwrw
* 1813 Smolensko
* 1814 Olive
* 1815 Tigris
* 1816 Nectar
* 1817 Manfred
* 1818 Interpreter
* 1819 Antar
* 1820 Pindarrie
* 1821 Reginald
* 1822 Pastille ♥
* 1823 Nicolo
* 1824 Schahriar
* 1825 Enamel
* 1826 Dervise
* 1827 Turcoman
* 1828 Cadland
* 1829 Patron
* 1830 Augustus
* 1831 Riddlesworth
* 1832 Archibald
* 1833 Clearwell
* 1834 Glencoe
* 1835 Ibrahim
* 1836 Bay Middleton
* 1837 Achmet
* 1838 Grey Momus
* 1839 The Corsair
* 1840 Crucifix ♥
* 1841 Ralph
* 1842 Meteor
* 1843 Cotherstone
* 1844 The Ugly Buck
* 1845 Idas
* 1846 Sir Tatton Sykes
* 1847 Conyngham
* 1848 Flatcatcher
* 1849 Nunnykirk
* 1850 Pitsford
* 1851 Hernandez
* 1852 Stockwell
* 1853 West Australian ₩
* 1854 The Hermit
* 1855 Lord of the Isles
* 1856 Fazzoletto
* 1857 Vedette
* 1858 Fitz-Roland
* 1859 The Promised Land
* 1860 The Wizard
* 1861 Diophantus
* 1862 The Marquis
* 1863 Macaroni
* 1864 General Peel
* 1865 Gladiateur ₩
* 1866 Lord Lyon ₩
* 1867 Vauban
* 1868 Formosa ♥
* Moslem
* 1869 Pretender
* 1870 Macgregor
* 1871 Bothwell
* 1872 Prince Charlie
* 1873 Gang Forward
* 1874 Atlantic
* 1875 Camballo
* 1876 Petrarch
* 1877 Chamant
* 1878 Pilgrimage ♥
* 1879 Charibert
* 1880 Petronel
* 1881 Peregrine
* 1882 Shotover ♥
* 1883 Galliard
* 1884 Scot Free
* 1885 Paradox
* 1886 Ormonde ₩
* 1887 Enterprise
* 1888 Ayrshire
* 1889 Enthusiast
* 1890 Surefoot
* 1891 Common ₩
* 1892 Bona Vista
* 1893 Isinglass ₩
* 1894 Ladas
* 1895 Kirkconnel
* 1896 St. Frusquin
* 1897 Galtee More ₩
* 1898 Disraeli
* 1899 Flying Fox ₩
* 1900 Diamond Jubilee ₩
* 1901 Handicapper
* 1902 Sceptre
* 1903 Rock Sand ₩
* 1904 St. Amant
* 1905 Vedas
* 1906 Gorgos
* 1907 Slieve Gallion
* 1908 Norman
* 1909 Minoru
* 1910 Neil Gow
* 1911 Sunstar
* 1912 Sweeper
* 1913 Louvois
* 1914 Kennymore
* 1915 Pommern ₩
* 1916 Clarissimus
* 1917 Gay Crusader ₩
* 1918 Gainsborough ₩
* 1919 The Panther
* 1920 Tetratema
* 1921 Craig an Eran
* 1922 St Louis
* 1923 Ellangowan
* 1924 Diophon
* 1925 Manna
* 1926 Colorado
* 1927 Adam's Apple
* 1928 Flamingo
* 1929 Mr Jinks
* 1930 Diolite
* 1931 Cameronian
* 1932 Orwell
* 1933 Rodosto
* 1934 Colombo
* 1935 Bahram ₩
* 1936 Pay Up
* 1937 Le Ksar
* 1938 Pasch
* 1939 Blue Peter
* 1940 Djebel
* 1941 Lambert Simnel
* 1942 Big Game
* 1943 Kingsway
* 1944 Garden Path ♥
* 1945 Court Martial
* 1946 Happy Knight
* 1947 Tudor Minstrel
* 1948 My Babu
* 1949 Nimbus
* 1950 Palestine
* 1951 Ki Ming
* 1952 Thunderhead
* 1953 Nearula
* 1954 Darius
* 1955 Our Babu
* 1956 Gilles de Retz
* 1957 Crepello
* 1958 Pall Mall
* 1959 Taboun
* 1960 Martial
* 1961 Rockavon
* 1962 Privy Councillor
* 1963 Only For Life
* 1964 Baldric
* 1965 Niksar
* 1966 Kashmir
* 1967 Royal Palace
* 1968 Sir Ivor
* 1969 Right Tack
* 1970 Nijinsky ₩
* 1971 Brigadier Gerard
* 1972 High Top
* 1973 Mon Fils
* 1974 Nonoalco
* 1975 Bolkonski
* 1976 Wollow
* 1977 Nebbiolo
* 1978 Roland Gardens
* 1979 Tap On Wood
* 1980 Known Fact
* 1981 To-Agori-Mou
* 1982 Zino
* 1983 Lomond
* 1984 El Gran Senor
* 1985 Shadeed
* 1986 Dancing Brave
* 1987 Don't Forget Me
* 1988 Doyoun
* 1989 Nashwan
* 1990 Tirol
* 1991 Mystiko
* 1992 Rodrigo de Triano
* 1993 Zafonic
* 1994 Mister Baileys
* 1995 Pennekamp
* 1996 Mark of Esteem
* 1997 Entrepreneur
* 1998 King of Kings
* 1999 Island Sands
* 2000 King's Best
* 2001 Golan
* 2002 Rock of Gibraltar
* 2003 Refuse To Bend
* 2004 Haafhd
* 2005 Footstepsinthesand
* 2006 George Washington
* 2007 Cockney Rebel
* 2008 Henrythenavigator
* 2009 Sea the Stars
* 2010 Makfi
* 2011 Frankel
* 2012 Camelot
* 2013 Dawn Approach
* 2014 Night of Thunder
* 2015 Gleneagles
* 2016 Galileo Gold
* 2017 Churchill
* 2018 Saxon Warrior
* 2019 Magna Grecia
* 2020 Kameko
* 2021 Poetic Flare
* 2022 Coroebus
* 2023 Chaldean
* 2024 Notable Speech
* 2025 Ruling Court

Legend \- ₩ = Triple Crown Winners, ♥ = Filly
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template