Ayrshire (horse)

Ayrshire
Sire	Hampton
Grandsire	Lord Clifden
Dam	Atalanta
Damsire	Galopin
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1885
Country	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Colour	Bay
Breeder	William Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th Duke of Portland
Owner	William Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th Duke of Portland
Trainer	George Dawson
Record	16: 11-1-3
Major wins
Champagne Stakes (1887) 2000 Guineas (1888) Epsom Derby (1888) Royal Stakes (1889) Eclipse Stakes (1889)

Ayrshire (1885–1910) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from 1887 to 1889 he ran sixteen times and won eleven races. After winning five races as a two-year-old he became the leading British three-year-old colt of 1888 when he won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Derby at Epsom. He failed in his bid to win the English Triple Crown when beaten in the St Leger at Doncaster but returned in 1889 for a successful campaign which included a win in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. He was retired to stud at the end of the year and had a modestly successful career as a stallion. He died in 1910.

Ayrshire was a dark-coated bay, praised for his “beauty” and “symmetry”, bred by his owner William Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th Duke of Portland a Conservative politician and landowner. Among the Duke’s other horses were the undefeated St. Simon and the 1889 Derby winner Donovan. He was sent into training with George Dawson at his Heath House Stable in Newmarket, Suffolk.

Ayrshire's sire, Hampton was a successful stayer who won both the Goodwood Cup and the Doncaster Cup. Hampton was Champion sire in 1887 and sired, in addition to Merry Ayrshire, the Derby winners Ladas and Merry Hampton as well as the influential sires Bay Ronald and Royal Hampton. Ayrshire’s dam Atalanta, who had once been sold for half a Crown, was a successful racehorse who went on to produce several good winners including the St. James's Palace Stakes winner Troon.

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