Launcelot (horse)

Launcelot
Launcelot, Winner of The Great St Leger Stakes at Doncaster 1840 by John Frederick Herring
Sire	Camel
Grandsire	Whalebone
Dam	Banter
Damsire	Master Henry
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1837
Country	United Kingdom
Colour	Brown
Breeder	Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster
Owner	Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster
Trainer	John Scott
Record	7: 4-2-0
Major wins
Champagne Stakes (1839) Great St Leger Stakes (1840)

Launcelot (1837–1861) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire best known for winning the classic St Leger Stakes in 1840. In a racing career which lasted from September 1839 until July 1841 he won four of his seven races although two of his victories came by way of walkover. As a two-year-old he proved himself to be one of the leading colts of his generation by winning the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. In 1840 he started favourite for the Epsom Derby but was beaten by a 50/1 outsider Little Wonder. Later that year he recorded his most important victory when he defeated his stable companion Maroon in the St Leger. He was injured on his only appearance as a four-year-old and was retired to stud where he had little success as a sire of winners.

Launcelot was a brown colt with a white star and snip and two white feet bred by his owner Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster. He was the seventh of seventeen foals produced by his owner's broodmare Banter (1826–1849). Her first foal had been Launcelot's full-brother, the outstanding racehorse Touchstone. Banter also produced Sarcasm, the dam of the 1841 St Leger winner Satirist.

Launcelot was sired by Camel, a horse who won the Port Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse before becoming a successful breeding stallion. Apart from Launcelot and Touchstone he sired the Ascot Gold Cup winner Caravan.

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