Hambletonian 10

Hambletonian 10
Rysdyk's Hambletonian 10
Breed	Standardbred
Gait	Trot
Mile record	2:48 1/2
Sire	Abdallah
Grandsire	Mambrino
Dam	Charles Kent Mare
Damsire	Bellfounder
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1849
Died	1876
Country	United States
Color	Bay
Breeder	Jonas Seeley, Jr.
Owner	William Rysdyk
Honors
Hambletonian Stakes Harness Racing Hall of Fame Immortal (1953)

Hambletonian 10, or Rysdyk's Hambletonian, (May 5, 1849 – 1876) was an American trotter and a founding sire of the Standardbred horse breed. The stallion was born in Sugar Loaf, New York on 5 May 1849. Hambletonian has been inducted into the Immortals category of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame.

Hambletonian 10 was bred by Jonas Seely, Jr. on his farm at Sugar Loaf in Orange County, New York. He was sired by Abdallah who was a grandson of the hugely influential Thoroughbred sire, Messenger. Abdallah was ugly in body and temperament, so much so that he was sold to a fish pedlar for $5. Hambletonian's dam was known as the Charles Kent Mare or the "Kent Mare" by Bellfounder (GB), an imported Norfolk Trotter. Hambletonian was inbred to Messenger (GB) (1780) in the third and fourth generations (3x4x4x4).

Seeley's hired hand, William Rysdyk, cared for the mare and foal. Rysdyk became so attached to the pair and was so convinced that the foal would someday be great that he asked to purchase them. Seeley finally agreed, and for $125 William Rysdyk took his prize possessions home.

Hambletonian had an unusual build, being low at the withers (15.1 ¼ hh) but high at the croup (15.3 ¼). This length of hind leg provided a great deal of thrust with each stride, and he passed both characteristics on to all his get.

Hambletonian 10, from his Standard registered number, made his first public appearance at the age of six months at the nearby Orange County Fair in Goshen. He caused quite a sensation and horsemen started referring to him as "Rysdyk's Abdallah colt." Meanwhile another son of Abdallah, Abdallah Chief, owned by Seeley C. Roe, was looming as a competitor for the local stallion honors. Roe had nothing but contempt for Hambletonian, and claimed he'd never be a trotter, only a show horse. This issue was settled in 1852 at Long Island's Union Course. Hambletonian and Abdallah Chief were hitched to skeleton wagons with their owners driving. Three minutes and three seconds after the start, Hambletonian crossed the finish line ahead of his rival. Roe still wasn't satisfied and insisted on another race. A time trial was held. Abdallah Chief went the mile in 2:55½. Then Roe watched Hambletonian, in what would be the only time trial of his career, trot the mile in 2:48½.