Velocipede (horse)
| Velocipede | |
|---|---|
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Velocipede by John Ferneley
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| Sire | Blacklock |
| Grandsire | Whitelock |
| Dam | Juniper mare |
| Damsire | Juniper |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1825 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | Francis Moss |
| Owner |
William Scott William Armitage |
| Trainer | William Scott and John Scott |
| Record | 9: 7-1-1 |
| Major wins | |
| York St Leger (1828) York Gold Cup (1829) Match against Bessy Bedlam (1829) Liverpool Spring Cup (1829) |
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Velocipede (1825–1850) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which was restricted by injury he raced nine times in three years, recording seven wins, one second and one third place. Although he ran only in Yorkshire and Lancashire and was beaten into third place in his most important race, the St Leger Stakes, Velocipede was regarded by nineteenth century experts as one of the best British horses of the era. He later became a successful breeding stallion.
Velocipede was a chestnut horse with a white blaze and three white socks bred in Yorkshire by Francis Moss. He was sired by Blacklock, who won several races in Yorkshire and finished second in a controversial race for the St Leger. As a stallion he was most influential as the sire of Voltaire, the direct male ancestor of numerous successful runners including Voltigeur, Galopin and St. Simon. Velocipede's dam, an unnamed mare by Juniper, had many other successful descendants including the 1000 Guineas winners Pic-nic and Mayonaise.
As a yearling, Velocipede was bought for £120 by William Scott on behalf of William Armitage. Scott had previously tried to offer the horse to Thomas Houldsworth but the colt was rejected as lacking strength and substance, with Houldsworth reportedly saying that he "would not give sixpence for such a slight-legged one". The horse was trained by Scott and his brother John at the Whitewall stables near Malton, North Yorkshire.
Velocipede began his racing career at Catterick Bridge Racecourse on 19 April 1827. Racing over a one-mile course and ridden by Bill Scott, he started favourite and won very easily ("in a canter") from Game Boy and Rector. On 22 May at York the colt started at odds of 5/4 for a Sweepstakes and "won easy" from eight opponents.
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