Aristides (horse)

Aristides
1877 drawing by C. Lloyd
Sire	Leamington
Grandsire	Faugh-a-Ballagh
Dam	Sarong
Damsire	Lexington
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1872
Country	United States
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Hal Price McGrath
Owner	Hal Price McGrath
Trainer	Ansel Williamson
Record	21: 9-5-1
Earnings	$18,325
Major wins
Kentucky Derby (1875) Jerome Handicap (1875) Withers Stakes (1875)
Awards
U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt (1875) (historic)
Honours
Life-sized statue at Churchill Downs Aristides Breeders' Cup Stakes at Churchill Downs
Last updated on December 21, 2006

Aristides (1872–1893) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse that won the first Kentucky Derby in 1875.

In 1875, the Derby was raced at a mile and a half, the distance it would remain until 1896, when it was changed to its present mile and a quarter. Aristides also had a relative racing in the first Kentucky Derby in 1875.

A chestnut thoroughbred with a white star and two hind stockings, Aristides was bred by Hal Price McGrath and foaled in 1872. He was sired by the great English stud Leamington, which made him a half brother to another great sire, Hall of Famer Longfellow, who, during his racing career, was called "King of the Turf". McGrath did not consider Aristides first rate, though his dam (Sarong) was by one of the United States' greatest sires, Lexington, whose bloodline went back to Glencoe and Hall of Famer Boston.

Aristides (named for his breeder's good friend and fellow horse breeder, Pennsylvanian Aristides Welch, who owned Erdenheim Stud and had imported Leamington into the United States) was foaled late in the season and was small, never standing taller than about 15 hands. His stablemate the bay Chesapeake, also sired by Lexington, was expected to do well at the races.

Price McGrath was born to poverty in Woodford County, Kentucky, and had gone west for the great California Gold Rush. He did well enough to open a gambling house in New York. In a single night, he won $105,000, which allowed him to return to Kentucky and establish a stud farm.