The Flying Dutchman (horse)

The Flying Dutchman
The match race between The Flying Dutchman and Voltigeur
Sire	Bay Middleton
Grandsire	Sultan
Dam	Barbelle
Damsire	Sandbeck
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	27 February 1846
Country	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Colour	Brown
Breeder	Henry Vansittart
Owner	Archibald Montgomerie, 13th Earl of Eglinton
Trainer	John Fobert
Record	15: 14-1-0
Earnings	₤6,575
Major wins
July Stakes (1848) Champagne Stakes (1848) Epsom Derby (1849) St. Leger Stakes (1849) Ascot Gold Cup (1850) Match with Voltigeur (1851)
Last updated on 15 May 2009

The Flying Dutchman (1846–1870) was an English Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He raced for four seasons between 1848 and 1851, winning all but one of his fifteen races, including the Epsom Derby and the St Leger. On his final racecourse appearance he defeated Voltigeur in what was probably the most celebrated match race in the history of British thoroughbred racing. He went on to be a success at stud both in Britain and France, where he died in 1870. The Flying Dutchman was regarded by experts as one of the greatest British racehorses of the nineteenth century.

The Flying Dutchman, bred at Kirkleatham in Yorkshire, was a dark bay or "brown" horse standing 15.3 hands high. He had a strong back, deep shoulders, powerful hindquarters, good bone, and was a bit "over at the knee" (as were many of his offspring). The roman-nosed animal also had an exceptional stride, a quiet temper and a "fiery eye".

The Flying Dutchman was by Bay Middleton, who won every race in his two seasons on the turf until he was retired due to a problem with one of his forelegs. During that time, the colt won the Riddleton Stakes, the Bruton Street Stakes, the 2,000 Guineas, the Buckhust Stakes at Ascot, the Grand Duke Michael Stakes, the Epsom Derby (against Gladiator, Venison and Slane), and his final race, a match against and Muezzin. Bay Middleton was by Sultan, winner of the Derby, and out of the Epsom Oaks winning mare Cobweb. Bay Middleton also sired Aphrodite (winner of the 1,000 Guineas), The Hermit (2000 Guineas), Andover (Derby), and Fly By Night. As a broodmare-sire, he produced Ellen Middleton, and dams of Wild Dayrell, Saunterer, Mainstone, Sunbeam, and Mainbrace. He was the Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 1844 and 1849.