Cicero (horse)

Cicero
Cicero in a photograph by W.A. Rouch.
Sire	Cyllene
Grandsire	Bona Vista
Dam	Gas
Damsire	Ayrshire
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1902
Country	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery
Owner	Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery
Trainer	Percy Peck
Record	10: 8-1-0
Earnings	£17,750
Major wins
Woodcote Stakes (1904) Coventry Stakes (1904) July Stakes (1904) Epsom Derby (1905)

Cicero (1902–1923) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was the best English two-year-old of 1904, winning all five of his races. In 1905 Cicero became one of the shortest priced successful favourites in the history of the Derby, winning at 4/11 to remain undefeated. He won only once from his remaining three races before retiring to a modestly successful career at stud.

Cicero, a small chestnut colt, was bred by his owner Lord Rosebery, the former Prime Minister, at his stud at The Durdans, near Epsom. He was sired by Cyllene, an Ascot Gold Cup winner, who went on to become a highly successful stallion. In addition to Cicero, he sired three other winners of the Epsom Derby and through his grandson, Phalaris, he is the direct male-line ancestor of most modern thoroughbreds. His dam, Gas, a filly also bred by Lord Rosebery, was a half-sister of the Derby winner Ladas and proved to be an influential broodmare: her descendents included the classic winners Vaucluse (1915 1000 Guineas), Happy Laughter (1000 Guineas) and Shirley Heights (1978 Epsom Derby).

Cicero was sent into training with Percy Peck at Harraton Court, Exning, near Newmarket, Suffolk. In training, Cicero was a lively, high-spirited type who could be seen bucking and kicking at exercise. One writer commented that he "doubtless takes something out of himself with his vagaries, but then there is such a lot to take!"

Cicero was unbeaten in five races as a two-year-old. At the Craven meeting at Newmaket in April he won the Fitzwilliam Stakes, beating the King’s, horse Rosemarket who started favourite. Cicero beat Rosemarket again in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom in June, this time as the even money favourite. He was then sent to Royal Ascot where he won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot beating Vedas by two lengths. He won the July Stakes at Newmarket at the unusual odds of 1/20 and then carried 135lbs to victory in the valuable National Breeder's Produce Stakes at Sandown in mid July. He sustained an injury in the Sandown race and missed the rest of the season, but nevertheless went into the winter break as favourite for the Derby.