Morston (horse)

Morston
Sire	Ragusa
Grandsire	Ribot
Dam	Windmill Girl
Damsire	Hornbeam
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1970
Country	France
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Park Farm Stud
Owner	Arthur Budgett
Trainer	Arthur Budgett
Record	2: 2-0-0
Major wins
Epsom Derby (1973)

Morston (1970–1993) was a French-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He is best known for winning the 1973 Epsom Derby on his second racecourse appearance. He was then injured, and retired undefeated.

Morston was bred in France by his owner Arthur Budgett's Park Farm Stud. He was sired by the Irish Derby winner Ragusa out of Budgett's mare Windmill Girl. This made him a brother of the 1969 Derby winner Blakeney. He was named after a village in Norfolk.

Unraced at two, Morston made his debut in the Godstone Plate, at Lingfield in May 1973. He won comfortably, but showed his inexperience- according to Budgett he was "all over the place".

In the Derby he was made a 25-1 outsider. His jockey Edward Hide was told by Arthur Budgett not to be too hard on the colt, if he was not in a winning position. In the race he hit the front a furlong out and stayed on well to beat Cavo Doro by half a length.

Morston was being trained for the Great Voltigeur Stakes when he suffered a tendon injury which ended his career.

Morston has been regarded as one of the least distinguished Derby winners. Writing in the Racing Post, John Randall rated him the worst Derby winner since the Second World War. Budgett, however, regarded Morston as superior to his other Derby winner Blakeney, and the best horse he had ever trained.

He was rated 125 by Timeform.

Morston had modest success as a stallion. His best runners were probably Whitstead (Great Voltigeur Stakes), Morcon (Prince of Wales's Stakes) and More Light (Jockey Club Stakes).

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