Pilgrimage (horse)

Pilgrimage
1878 print of Pilgrimage
Sire	The Palmer or The Earl
Grandsire	Beadsman
Dam	Promise
Damsire	Macaroni
Sex	Mare
Foaled	1875
Country	Great Britain
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Mr. Cookson
Owner	4th Earl of Lonsdale
Record	8: 6-1-1
Major wins
Dewhurst Plate (1877) Post Sweepstakes (1877) 2000 Guineas Stakes (1878) 1000 Guineas Stakes (1878)

Pilgrimage (1875–1897) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old she was only defeated once and won the Dewhurst Plate. She only raced three times as a three-year-old, winning the 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas, before finishing as the runner-up in the Oaks Stakes. After retiring from racing she became a successful broodmare, foaling Oaks winner Canterbury Pilgrim and Derby winner Jeddah.

Pilgrimage was a chestnut filly bred by Mr. Cookson foaled in 1875. She was sired by either The Palmer or The Earl, who were both Ascot Derby winners. Some sources list both stallions, while some only list The Palmer. Pilgrimage's dam was Promise, a daughter of Epsom Derby winner Macaroni.St George Lowther, 4th Earl of Lonsdale, paid 190 guineas for Pilgrimage in 1877.

Pilgrimage made her racecourse début on 28 September 1877 in the First October Two-year-old Stakes over half a mile at Newmarket. She started the race as the 9/2 second favourite and immediately went to the front. In the closing stages she extended her lead and won easily by eight lengths from Dalgarno, who had started as the even money favourite. Ten days later Pilgrimage started as the odds-on favourite for a Plate for two-year-olds. Facing only three opponents, she won by a length from Queen of Pearls.