Blair Athol (horse)

Blair Athol
Blair Athol, engraving by Charles Hunt & Son
Sire
Dam	Blink Bonny
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1861
Country	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	William I'Anson
Owner	William I'Anson
Trainer	William I'Anson
Record	7: 5-2-0
Major wins
Epsom Derby (1864) Triennial Stakes (1864) St Leger (1864)
Awards
Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland (1872, 1873, 1875, 1877)

Blair Athol (1861–1882) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted little more than three months in the summer and autumn of 1864, he ran seven times and won five races including one walk-over. His wins included the Epsom Derby and the St Leger. Despite the brevity of his racing career, he was regarded by contemporary experts as one of the best British racehorses of his era and arguably the greatest horse ever trained in the North of England. He went on to become a highly successful stallion, siring the winners of many races.

Blair Athol was a flaxen chestnut with a broad white blaze. He was bred, owned and trained by William I'Anson, who was based in Malton, North Yorkshire. His sire, , was the leading British colt of his generation, winning the 2000 Guineas and the St Leger in 1852. He went on to become the dominant sire of his era, winning the title of Champion sire on seven occasions. Blair Athol's dam was the outstanding racemare Blink Bonny, who won the Derby in 1857.

Blair Athol was slow to mature and did not race as a two-year-old. He did, however, show significant promise in trial gallops, and I’Anson turned down an offer of £7,000 for the colt from the bookmaker John Jackson. The fact that he had been entered in nine races without actually running caused some scepticism, but he was recognised by many observers as a horse of exceptional potential and a serious "dark horse" contender for the Derby.

In the spring of 1864, Blair Athol had training difficulties and missed an intended run in the Dee Stakes at Chester. He suffered from dental problems which sometimes prevented him from feeding. He was also the victim of repeated attacks by a stable lad who had been paid by bookmakers to prevent the horse from running in the Derby. Before the culprit was caught, he had repeatedly kicked the colt on his legs and genitals, causing intermittent lameness.