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Bend Or
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| Bend Or | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sire | Doncaster |
| Grandsire | Stockwell |
| Dam | Rouge Rose |
| Damsire | Thormanby |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1877 |
| Died | 1903 (aged 25–26) |
| Country | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | Eaton Stud |
| Owner | 1st Duke of Westminster |
| Trainer | Robert Peck |
| Record | 14: 10–2–0 |
| Earnings | £16,466 |
| Major wins | |
| Chesterfield Stakes (1879) Richmond Stakes (1879) Epsom Derby (1880) St. James's Palace Stakes (1880) City and Suburban Handicap (1881) Epsom Gold Cup (1881) Champion Stakes (1881) | |
| Awards | |
| Leading broodmare sire in Britain & Ireland (1901, 1902) | |
| Last updated on 6 November 2009 | |
Bend Or (1877–1903) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1880 Epsom Derby. His regular jockey Fred Archer, winner of thirteen consecutive British jockey titles, said Bend Or was probably the greatest horse he had ever ridden.
Nomenclature
[edit]
His name is the heraldic term for "a bend (i.e. diagonal stripe) that is golden or yellow in color (or)", and is a reference to the ancient former arms of the Grosvenor family which were adjudged against them in 1389 to the Scrope family in the most famous case ever heard before the Court of Chivalry, known as Scrope v Grosvenor. The Duke also awarded it as a lifelong family nickname to his grandson Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster (1879–1953), born in the year before the Derby win. Bendor Range is named after the horse.
Breeding
[edit]Bred and foaled at the 1st Duke of Westminster's Eaton Stud, Bend Or grew to be a large stallion but was noted for his unusual docility. He was a chestnut colt who stood 16.1 hands (65 inches, 165 cm) and had a white blaze.[1] He was sired by Doncaster, a son of Stockwell, out of the mare, Rouge Rose by Thormanby.[2] Thormanby won the 1860 Epsom Derby and the 1861 Ascot Gold Cup and was in 1869 the leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland.
Racing career
[edit]1879: Two-year-old Season
[edit]Bend Or made his first racecourse appearance in July 1879 in the Chesterfield Stakes at Newmarket. Starting as the 9/4 favourite he won easily by a length.[3] He then won the Richmond Stakes carrying a 6-pound weight penalty. After these wins he started to 1/2 favourite for the Prince of Wales Stakes at York. He led from the outset and won easily by half a length.[4] After York he was already being quoted at 7/1 for the 1880 Epsom Derby.[5] Bend Or finished the season by winning the Triennial Produce Stakes and the Rous Memorial Stakes, both at Newmarket.
1880:Three-year-old Season
[edit]The Derby
[edit]Bend Or was not entered for the 2000 Guineas, but in early March, he was the 5/1 favourite for The Derby.[6] He started his three-year-old campaign in the Derby. He was ridden by Fred Archer and started as the 2/1 favourite in a field of 19. After the start, he was in a prominent position but was dropped back into mid-division by Archer. At Tattenham Corner Robert the Devil was leading from Von der Tann, Bend Or being in about the sixth position. In the straight Bend Or passed some of the horses to move into third. The second placed Mask then began to fade as he was passed by Bend Or, who went off in pursuit of Robert the Devil. Bend Or won the Derby by a head from Robert the Devil, with Mask a further six lengths back in third.[7]
St. James's Palace Stakes
[edit]After the Derby, he went to Royal Ascot for the St. James's Palace Stakes, starting at the odds of 30/100. The race was run at a slow early pace. Bend Or won by a head from Fernandez, the two finishing clear of the rest of the field.[8] After Ascot he had to be given a few months rest due to shin problems exacerbated in his Derby win.
Challenge to Pedigree
[edit]
In the summer a challenge was lodged by the owners of Robert the Devil against Bend Or's Derby win on the grounds of him being entered under the wrong description. It was alleged that his dam was not Rouge Rose, but a mare called Clemence. At Eaton Stud, both Rouge Rose and Clemence had a foal by Doncaster in 1877. It was suggested that the two foals had been mixed up and that it was the horse registered as Tadcaster (i.e. the Clemence foal) that won the Derby. The accusation came from a groom who formerly worked for the Duke. During the investigation, the Eaton Stud book was produced, but was found to contain a number of errors.[9] The objection was overruled by the Jockey Club,[10] but controversy remained. Recent research which compared DNA of Bend Or to that of Tadcaster relatives suggested the two had indeed been switched as foals.[11]
Clemence was a daughter of Newminster and Eulogy. Newminster was the son of Touchstone and Beeswing. Eulogy was the daughter of Euclid and Martha Lynn.
The Autumn
[edit]The shin injury affected him for most of the remainder of the year as was evident in his first loss when he returned to racing for September's St Leger Stakes, where he finished fifth behind winner Robert the Devil. His next start came in the Great Foal Stakes. In that race, Robert the Devil made the running, with Bend Or held up in the rear. At the bushes, Bend Or moved up to third behind Robert the Devil and Muriel. Bend Or then overtook Muriel and challenged Robert the Devil. Bend Or seemed to have the race won with 50 yards to go, but he swerved badly and lost by a head. He faced Robert the Devil again in the Champion Stakes. Robert the Devil started the 11/10 favourite, with Bend Or at 5/4. Robert the Devil led from the start and was never caught. He won by 10 lengths from Bend Or, with the other two runners a further 10 lengths back.[12]
1881: Four-year-old Season
[edit]Returning to the track at age four, Bend Or won the City and Suburban Handicap at Epsom Downs carrying 9 stone.[13] He then avenged his defeats to Robert the Devil in the Epsom Gold Cup. Only the two horses ran, with Bend Or winning by a neck. Bend Or then won the Champion Stakes easily by ¾ length from Scobell, with the 1881 Derby winner Iroquois a bad third. Bend Or's next start came in the Cambridgeshire Stakes where, under Archer, he carried 9 st 8 lb. During the closing stages the weight began to tell and he was eased by Archer, finishing in seventh.[14] He was then retired to breeding duties at his owner's Eaton Stud.[15]
Race record
[edit]| Date | Race name | D(f) | Course | Prize (£) | Odds | Runners | Place | Margin | Winner/Runner-up | Time | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 1879 | Chesterfield Stakes | 5 | Newmarket | 1130 | 9/4 | 11 | 1 | 1 | Petal | 0:59 | Charles Wood |
| 29 July 1879 | Richmond Stakes | 6 | Goodwood | 1762 | 8 | 1 | |||||
| August 1879 | Prince of Wales Stakes | 5 | York | 340 | 1/2 | 9 | 1 | 0.5 | Brother to Ersilia | Fred Archer | |
| 1879 | Triennial Produce Stakes | 10 | Newmarket | 881 | 11 | 1 | |||||
| 1879 | Rous Memorial Stakes | 5 | Newmarket | 567 | 10 | 1 | |||||
| 26 May 1880 | Epsom Derby | 12 | Epsom Downs | 6375 | 2/1 | 19 | 1 | Head | Robert the Devil | 2:48 | Fred Archer |
| June 1880 | St. James's Palace Stakes | 8 | Ascot | 1550 | 30/100 | 5 | 1 | Head | Fernandez | G Fordham | |
| 15 September 1880 | St Leger | 14.5 | Doncaster | 6100 | 4/5 | 12 | 6 | Robert the Devil | 3:32 | ||
| 28 September 1880 | Great Foal Stakes | 10 | Newmarket | 2697 | 9/2 | 7 | 2 | Head | Robert the Devil | 2:25 | Tom Cannon |
| 14 October 1880 | Champion Stakes | 10 | Newmarket | 2071 | 5/4 | 4 | 2 | 10 | Robert the Devil | 2:10 | G Fordham |
| 27 April 1881 | City and Suburban Handicap | 10 | Epsom Downs | 1230 | 100/8 | 24 | 1 | 1.5 | Foxhall | 2:07 | Fred Archer |
| 3 June 1881 | Epsom Gold Cup | 12 | Epsom Downs | 500 | 2 | 1 | Robert the Devil | ||||
| 13 October 1881 | Champion Stakes | 10 | Newmarket | 2087 | 4/6 | 8 | 1 | 0.75 | Scobell | 2:23.6 | Fred Archer |
| 25 October 1881 | Cambridgeshire Stakes | 9 | Newmarket | 2017 | 9/2 | 32 | 7 | Foxhall | 2:15.4 | Fred Archer |
Stud record
[edit]Bend Or had white flecks on his chestnut coat, and like his damsire Thormanby, had black spots on his neck, shoulder, and on his quarters. These markings often showed up in his progeny and is referred to as Bend Or spotting.
Standing at Eaton Stud, Bend Or was a successful stallion siring many top racehorses including two classic winners. His stud fee for 1898 was 200 guineas, plus one guinea for the groom. By this time his offspring had won 285 races worth £129,148[1]
Notable progeny
[edit]| Foaled | Name | Sex | Major Wins |
| 1883 | Kendal | c | July Stakes |
| 1883 | Ormonde | c | Dewhurst Stakes, 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, St. James's Palace Stakes, Hardwicke Stakes (twice), St Leger Stakes, Great Foal Stakes, Champion Stakes, Rous Memorial Stakes, Imperial Gold Cup |
| 1885 | Orbit | c | Eclipse Stakes |
| 1885 | Ossory | c | Prince of Wales's Stakes, St. James's Palace Stakes, Great Yorkshire Stakes |
| 1887 | Martagon | c | Goodwood Cup |
| 1888 | Orion | c | Champion Stakes |
| 1888 | Orvieto | c | Sussex Stakes |
| 1889 | Bona Vista | c | 2000 Guineas |
| 1892 | Laveno | c | Champion Stakes |
| 1897 | Lord Bobs | c | Dewhurst Stakes, July Cup |
| 1902 | Rouge Croix | c | Dewhurst Stakes |
| 1903 | Radium | c | Goodwood Cup, Doncaster Cup |
Kendal went on to sire Triple Crown winner Galtee More. Ormonde sired dual Eclipse Stakes winner Orme. Orbit was exported to Argentina. Such was his success at stud there he was known as "South American Stockwell". Bona Vista went on to sire Ascot Gold Cup winner Cyllene. Through Cyllene's grandson Phalaris, Bend Or is the sire-line ancestor to the majority of thoroughbreds alive today. Radium sired 2000 Guineas winner Clarissimus.
Bend Or did not produce many top race mares, but many of them were top broodmares. His daughter Fairy Gold was exported to America and was the dam of Fair Play and Belmont Stakes winner Friar Rock. Another daughter Ornament was the dam of Sceptre, winner of four classics in 1902. Disorder was produced Eclipse Stakes winner Epsom Lad. Bend Or was also damsire to Prix du Jockey Club winner Ex Voto, through is daughter Golden Rod. Through his daughter Quetta, Bend Or was damsire to Coronation Stakes winner Helm and Dewhurst Stakes winner Frontier (who was sired by his grandson Orme).
Bend Or was twice the leading broodmare sire in Britain before his death at age twenty-six in January 1903.[2] Bend Or's important immediate descendants include The Tetrarch, Phar Lap and Man o' War, and beyond that the American horse Seabiscuit.
Pedigree
[edit]| Sire Doncaster ch. 1870 |
Stockwell ch. 1849 |
The Baron ch. 1842 |
Birdcatcher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echidna | |||
| Pocahontas b. 1837 |
Glencoe | ||
| Marpessa | |||
| Marigold ch. 1860 |
Teddington br. 1848 |
Orlando | |
| Miss Twickenham | |||
| Ratan mare b. 1852 |
Ratan | ||
| Melbourne mare | |||
| Dam Rouge Rose ch. 1865 |
Thormanby ch. 1857 |
Windhound br. 1847 |
Pantaloon |
| Phayne | |||
| Alice Hawthorn b. 1838 |
Muley Moloch | ||
| Rebecca | |||
| Ellen Horne br. 1844 |
Redshank b. 1833 |
Sandbeck | |
| Johanna | |||
| Delhi 1838 |
Plenipotentiary | ||
| Pawn Junior |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Osborne, Joseph (1898). Horse-Breeders' Handbook. Seale, London.
- ^ a b Ahnert, Rainer L. (editor in chief), "Thoroughbred Breeding of the World", Pozdun Publishing, Germany, 1970
- ^ "Papers Past — Otago Witness — 30 August 1879 — NEWMARKET JULY". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- ^ "Papers Past — Otago Witness — 18 October 1879 — YORK. August 26th, 27th, 28th". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ "Papers Past — Otago Witness — 1 November 1879 — ENGLISH". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ "Papers Past — Otago Witness — 1 May 1880 — NOTES BY BEACON". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ "Papers Past — Hawke's Bay Herald — 28 July 1880 — EPSOM SUMMER MEETING". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- ^ "Papers Past — Otago Witness — 7 August 1880 — RACING IN ENGLAND". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- ^ "Papers Past — Star — 2 September 1880 — THE Derby Scandal". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ "Papers Past — Otago Witness — 14 August 1880 — ENGLISH". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
- ^ Tony Morris (2011-05-11). "The mystery of Bend Or". Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
- ^ "Papers Past — Otago Witness — 18 December 1880 — RACING IN ENGLAND". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- ^ "Papers Past — Otago Witness — 25 June 1881 — RACING IN ENGLAND. EPSOM SPRING. April 27th". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- ^ "Papers Past — Otago Witness — 24 December 1881 — RACING IN ENGLAND". Paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- ^ Thoroughbred Heritage: Bend Or Retrieved 2009-11-6
External links
[edit]Bend Or
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Background
Nomenclature
The name "Bend Or" originates from a heraldic blazon describing a diagonal band (bend) of gold (or) on a blue (azure) field, a design historically claimed by the Grosvenor family as their coat of arms.[5] This emblem was the subject of the renowned 14th-century Scrope v. Grosvenor lawsuit, in which Sir Robert Grosvenor was compelled to relinquish it in favor of a garb (wheat sheaf) or, after Sir Richard le Scrope proved prior use.) The 1st Duke of Westminster, Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, selected the name for his 1877 colt to evoke this ancestral symbol, underscoring his family's noble heritage.[6] In 19th-century Britain, aristocratic owners frequently named racehorses after elements of their family heraldry or historical motifs to express lineage and prestige, as exemplified by the Duke's choice for Bend Or.[7] Contemporaneous records consistently refer to the horse as "Bend Or," though the name occasionally appeared with a French accent as "Bend'Or" in some publications, reflecting heraldic terminology's Norman roots.[5]Breeding
Bend Or was foaled in 1877 at Eaton Stud in Cheshire, England, a renowned breeding establishment owned by the 1st Duke of Westminster, Hugh Lupus Grosvenor.[1] This facility, located near Chester, played a pivotal role in the development of high-quality Thoroughbreds during the late 19th century.[1] He was sired by Doncaster, the winner of the 1873 Epsom Derby, a classic race that solidified the stallion's reputation as a valuable addition to the Duke's breeding program after his purchase for a record sum.[8] Bend Or's dam was Rouge Rose, a chestnut mare foaled in 1865 and sired by Thormanby, the 1860 Epsom Derby victor and a leading sire in 1869.[9][10] Rouge Rose proved to be an influential broodmare, contributing to the lineage that produced several notable performers.[9] From birth, Bend Or remained in the ownership of the 1st Duke of Westminster, who maintained a hands-on approach to his stud operations.[1] As a yearling, Bend Or was identified by his distinctive markings, which included a blotchy blaze on his face and unique spots, facilitating his tracking within the stud's records.[1] Described as a big and growthy colt, he was sent as a long yearling to the training yard of Robert Peck at Russley Park in Wiltshire, where Peck had previously handled Doncaster.[1] This early relocation marked the beginning of his preparation for the track, with Peck overseeing a regimen that emphasized steady maturation; Bend Or developed more rapidly than his sire or grandsire, building strength and conditioning suited to his frame.[1] The name Bend Or, derived from the Duke of Westminster's heraldic emblem, was assigned during this formative period.[1]Physical Characteristics
Bend Or was a chestnut Thoroughbred stallion with a golden hue to his coat, complemented by a silvery mane and tail.[1] He stood at 16.1 hands high and possessed a distinctive white blaze on his face.[11] His coat featured unique dark markings, including white flecks and black spots on the neck, shoulder, quarters, and a notable spot on the fore fetlock; these black spots, ranging from dark red to black and also known as smuts or grease spots, became eponymously known as Bend Or spots due to their prominence on this horse.[1][12] Bend Or exhibited a docile and affectionate temperament, often described as sweet-tempered with a great character that made him easy to handle.[1] This gentle disposition contributed to his successful training, as he formed strong bonds, including an attachment to a cat, and displayed the courage of a lion without aggression.[1] His overall conformation was well-suited for Thoroughbred racing, featuring a strong shoulder, fairly high withers, and powerful quarters that supported both speed and stamina.[1] Described as extraordinarily handsome and powerful, these attributes underscored his suitability for competitive distances.[1]Racing Career
Two-Year-Old Season (1879)
Bend Or's racing career commenced in 1879 under the guidance of trainer Robert Peck at the Duke of Westminster's Eaton Hall establishment in Cheshire.[1] The colt's docile temperament facilitated a smooth preparation for his juvenile campaign, allowing Peck to build his fitness progressively without major setbacks.[1] He debuted at Newmarket's July meeting in the Chesterfield Stakes over four furlongs, where he started as the favorite and secured a victory by 1 length under jockey Charles Wood, signaling his potential against a field of promising juveniles. Later that month at Goodwood on 29 July, Bend Or carried a 6-pound penalty in the six-furlong Richmond Stakes and won by two lengths with Fred Archer in the saddle, defeating a competitive field that included several subsequent stakes performers. Archer retained the mount for the Prince of Wales Stakes at York in August, a five-furlong contest where Bend Or led from the front to prevail by half a length over nine rivals, further enhancing his reputation as a leading two-year-old prospect. Bend Or concluded his season undefeated at Newmarket's First October meeting, first taking the Triennial Produce Stakes over 5 furlongs 140 yards by three lengths under Archer, beating a select field of high-class juveniles.[1] The following day, he completed his five-for-five record in the Rous Memorial Stakes over five furlongs, winning by two lengths despite a minor injury sustained during the running, which briefly concerned his connections but did not hinder his finishing effort.[1] These successes, amassing approximately £3,500 in prize money, established Bend Or as the premier juvenile colt of 1879 and a strong favorite for the following year's classics.Three-Year-Old Season (1880)
Bend Or entered his three-year-old season building on the promise of his undefeated two-year-old campaign in 1879. Expectations were high for the colt in the classics, and he delivered a thrilling victory in the Epsom Derby on 26 May, over 1.5 miles at Epsom Downs. Ridden one-handed by his regular jockey Fred Archer, who was hampered by a recent arm injury, Bend Or started at 2/1 odds and edged Robert the Devil by a head in a finish described as one of the closest in Derby history.[13] The triumph earned £6,375 in prize money, a substantial sum at the time. However, the effort took its toll, as Bend Or returned to his stable lame in a foreleg shin, signaling the start of persistent injury woes that would plague the remainder of his season. Despite the setback, Bend Or quickly rebounded at Royal Ascot in June for the St. James's Palace Stakes, a key mile test for classic winners. With Archer still recovering, George Fordham deputized in the saddle, and the colt went off at 30/100 odds as the heavy favorite. True to form, Bend Or quickened in the straight to win by a head over Fernandez, securing another prestigious victory and preserving his unbeaten record in major races.[14] This success underscored his class at shorter distances, even as shin soreness lingered. The injury's effects became more pronounced in the autumn, curtailing Bend Or's bid for further classics. In the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster on 15 September, run amid a heavy rainstorm that turned the ground testing, he faded to finish fifth behind Robert the Devil. Undeterred, Bend Or competed in two high-profile Newmarket contests later that season. He ran a gallant second, beaten by a head, to Robert the Devil in the Great Foal Stakes over 1¼ miles 73 yards on 28 September with Tom Cannon aboard. In the Champion Stakes on 14 October, over 10 furlongs, he placed second to the same opponent, beaten by 10 lengths with George Fordham riding, demonstrating resilience despite the ongoing shin issues. These performances, while not victorious, highlighted Bend Or's competitive spirit amid adversity. The season yielded total earnings exceeding £7,500, with the Derby providing the lion's share and affirming his status as a top classic contender.Four-Year-Old Season (1881)
Bend Or opened his four-year-old campaign in April 1881 with a determined victory in the City and Suburban Handicap at Epsom Downs on 27 April, carrying 9 stone 7 pounds as a 100-to-8 outsider in a competitive field of 23 runners. Ridden by Fred Archer and trained by Robert Peck, the colt surged to win by 1½ lengths over the American three-year-old Foxhall, demonstrating his ability to handle the one-mile two-furlong distance under a substantial impost.[1] This success highlighted Bend Or's maturation, as Peck's preparation emphasized stamina to cope with the heavier weights typical of handicap assignments for seasoned horses.[1] In June, Bend Or returned to Epsom for the Gold Cup over 1½ miles on 3 June, where he avenged prior defeats to Robert the Devil by prevailing in a thrilling finish by a neck. Archer's tactical ride allowed the Duke of Westminster's charge to close strongly on the leader, underscoring the horse's enduring class despite the demanding weight-for-age conditions. This win solidified Bend Or's reputation as a resilient veteran, with Peck noting the colt's improved conditioning following recovery from the leg injury that had affected his previous season. Bend Or's season peaked in October at Newmarket's Houghton meeting, where he secured the prestigious Champion Stakes by three-quarters of a length from Scobell on 13 October, leaving the 1881 Derby winner Iroquois a distant third. The victory over one mile two furlongs affirmed his adaptability to weight-for-age races against top competition, with Archer's expert handling enabling Bend Or to quicken decisively in the straight. However, his campaign concluded disappointingly in the same month's Cambridgeshire Stakes on 25 October, a one-mile handicap where he carried top weight of 9 stone 8 pounds but finished seventh behind Foxhall, Lucy Glitters, and Tristan amid a field of 34; a sore leg hampered his effort, prompting retirement at age four.Race Record Summary
Bend Or had a distinguished racing career spanning three seasons, with 14 starts resulting in 10 wins, 2 second-place finishes, and 2 unplaced efforts (5th and 7th place). This equates to a win percentage of 71.4% (10 wins from 14 starts). By year, he was unbeaten in all 5 starts as a two-year-old in 1879; as a three-year-old in 1880, he recorded 2 wins, 2 seconds, and 1 unplaced; and as a four-year-old in 1881, he achieved 3 wins and 1 unplaced. His career earnings totaled £16,466, bolstered by major stakes victories such as the Epsom Derby. The table below provides a complete overview of his races.| Date | Race Name | Location | Distance | Finishing Position | Jockey | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1879 | Chesterfield Stakes | Newmarket | 4 furlongs | 1st | C. Wood | N/A |
| 29 Jul 1879 | Richmond Stakes | Goodwood | 6 furlongs | 1st | F. Archer | N/A |
| Aug 1879 | Prince of Wales' Stakes | York | 5 furlongs | 1st | F. Archer | N/A |
| Oct 1879 | Triennial Produce Stakes | Newmarket | 5f 140y | 1st | F. Archer | N/A |
| Oct 1879 | Rous Memorial Stakes | Newmarket | 5 furlongs | 1st | F. Archer | N/A |
| 26 May 1880 | Epsom Derby | Epsom | 1m 4f | 1st | F. Archer | £6,375 |
| Jun 1880 | St. James's Palace Stakes | Ascot | 1 mile | 1st | G. Fordham | N/A |
| 15 Sep 1880 | St. Leger Stakes | Doncaster | 1m 6f 127y | 5th | F. Archer | N/A |
| 28 Sep 1880 | Great Foal Stakes | Newmarket | 1m 2f 73y | 2nd | T. Cannon | N/A |
| 14 Oct 1880 | Champion Stakes | Newmarket | 1m 2f | 2nd | G. Fordham | N/A |
| 27 Apr 1881 | City and Suburban Handicap | Epsom | 1m 2f | 1st | F. Archer | N/A |
| 3 Jun 1881 | Epsom Gold Cup | Epsom | 1m 4f | 1st | F. Archer | N/A |
| 13 Oct 1881 | Champion Stakes | Newmarket | 1m 2f | 1st | F. Archer | N/A |
| 25 Oct 1881 | Cambridgeshire Handicap | Newmarket | 9f | 7th | F. Archer | N/A |
Stud Career
Achievements as Sire
Bend Or was retired to the Duke of Westminster's Eaton Stud near Chester, England, following his racing career, where he stood from 1882 until his death two decades later. His stud fee began modestly but rose in demand over time, reaching 200 guineas by the 1890s as his reputation grew.[15] At stud, Bend Or proved highly successful, siring numerous winners from limited books of up to 40 mares per season, including multiple classic victors that contributed to his enduring influence. Although he never claimed the title of leading sire in Great Britain, he finished as runner-up on the sires' list in the year his first crop of three-year-olds competed and again in 1892, with strong placings in other seasons such as third in 1888 and 1890.[14] Bend Or's daughters further amplified his legacy, as he was recognized as the leading broodmare sire in Great Britain in both 1901 and 1902.[14][1] He died suddenly of a heart attack in early 1903 at the age of 26 while at Eaton Stud.[14]Notable Progeny
Bend Or's most celebrated son was Ormonde, foaled in 1883 out of the mare Lily Agnes, who achieved the English Triple Crown in 1886 by winning the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, and St Leger Stakes, remaining unbeaten in 16 starts including the Grand Prix de Paris.[1] Ormonde later sired notable horses such as Orme and Flying Fox, the latter of whom also secured a Triple Crown in 1899.[16] Another prominent offspring was Kendal, a 1883 chestnut colt out of Windermere, who excelled as a two-year-old with victories in the July Stakes and five other races before a career-ending injury.[17] Kendal proved highly influential at stud, topping the English sires list in 1897 and siring Galtee More, winner of the 1897 Triple Crown including the Derby.[1] Bona Vista, foaled in 1889 from the mare Vista, captured the 2,000 Guineas in 1892 and went on to sire Cyllene, a leading stallion whose descendants included four Derby winners.[18] Melody, a filly born in 1888 to the dam Haidee, won the 1,000 Guineas in 1891, contributing to Bend Or's success with classic-winning daughters.[19] Bend Or's daughters also left a lasting legacy as broodmares; for instance, Ornament (1887) produced Sceptre, victor in four English classics in 1902, while Fairy Gold (1896) was the dam of Fair Play, sire of the legendary Man o' War.[1]Pedigree and Controversy
Pedigree
Bend Or (foaled 1877) was officially registered as a chestnut colt sired by the prominent racehorse Doncaster out of the broodmare Rouge Rose. Doncaster, a chestnut stallion born in 1870, was himself by the influential Stockwell and out of Marigold, and he achieved notable success on the track, including victory in the 1873 Epsom Derby, the Goodwood Cup in 1874, and the Ascot Gold Cup in 1875.[8] Rouge Rose, a chestnut mare foaled in 1865, was by Thormanby, the 1860 Epsom Derby and 1861 Ascot Gold Cup winner who later became England's leading sire in 1869, and out of Ellen Horne.[9][1] The pedigree traces back through distinguished lines on both sides. On the sire's side, grand-sire Stockwell (1849), known as the "Emperor of Stallions" for leading the sires list nine times between 1857 and 1873, was by The Baron out of Pocahontas; The Baron (1842) was by Birdcatcher, a key foundation sire noted for his speed and influence in improving Thoroughbred conformation. On the dam's side, grand-sire Thormanby was by Windhound out of Alice Hawthorn, while Ellen Horne (1844) was by Redshank out of Delhi (by Plenipotentiary).[1][8][9][20][21] This ancestry reflects the elite breeding practices of the era at Eaton Stud, emphasizing stamina and Classic potential from ancestors like Stockwell and Thormanby.[2] The following table diagrams Bend Or's official pedigree up to four generations, as recorded in contemporary sources:| Generation | Sire Line | Dam Line |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Bend Or (1877 ch c) | |
| Sire: Doncaster (1870 ch c) | Dam: Rouge Rose (1865 ch f) | |
| 2nd | Stockwell (1849 ch c) | Thormanby (1857 ch c) |
| Marigold (by Teddington) | Ellen Horne (1844 br f) | |
| 3rd | The Baron (1842 b c) | Windhound (1850 br c) |
| Pocahontas (by Glencoe) | Alice Hawthorn (by Dr Syntax) | |
| Redshank (1833 b c) | ||
| Delhi (by Plenipotentiary) | ||
| 4th | Birdcatcher (1833) | Pantaloon (1824) |
| Echidna (by Don John) | Phryne (dam of Windhound) | |
| Sandbeck (sire of Redshank) | Emilius (sire of dam of Delhi) |