Volodyovski

Volodyovski
Volodyovski: Lithograph after painting by James Lynwood Palmer (1868-1941)
Sire	Florizel II
Dam	La Reine
Damsire	Rosicrucian
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1898
Country	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Lady Valerie Meux
Owner	Lady Valerie Meux Lord William Beresford (leased) William Collins Whitney (leased)
Trainer	John Huggins
Record	26: 7-7-2
Earnings	US$66,270 (equivalent)
Major wins
Windsor Castle Stakes (1900) Epsom Derby (1901)
Last updated on May 2, 2016

Volodyovski (1898–1917) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career which lasted from 1900 to 1902, he ran twenty-six times and won seven races. After being one of the leading two-year-olds of 1900, he went on to win The Derby in 1901. His subsequent form was disappointing and he was retired to stud after failing to win in eleven starts as a four-year-old. He made no impact as a stallion.

Volodyovski, a bay horse with a narrow blaze and a white sock on his left back foot, was owned and bred by Lady Valerie Meux who used the name "Mrs. Theobalds" for her racing interests. The colt was leased for racing to Lord William Beresford. Volodyovski was one of the first crop of foals sired by Florizel II, a high class racehorse and a brother to the Derby winners Persimmon and Diamond Jubilee Volodyovski was sent into training with John Huggins, an Texas-born American based at Newmarket, Suffolk.

Volodyovski was beaten in his first two races, including an unplaced effort at Kempton on 2 June, but was nevertheless sent to run against top class opposition at Royal Ascot in June. Starting at odds of 100/7, he finished strongly to take second place behind Good Morning in the Coventry Stakes and then won the Windsor Castle Stakes.

Volodyovski then won his next three races, taking the Stud Produce Stakes at Newmarket, showing "great resolution" to beat Princess Melton by a neck and two Rous Memorial Stakes at Goodwood (by three lengths "drawing away") and Newmarket ("in a canter"). At Kempton he finished second in the Imperial Produce Stakes, in which he was attempting to give thirteen pounds to the filly Aïda, who went on to win the 1000 Guineas. On his final race of the season he won the Great Sapling Stakes at Sandown. Volodyovski went into the winter break as 9/2 favourite for the following year's Derby.