Blandford (1919–1935) was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse best known as the three-time Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland who sired eleven British Classic Race winners including four which won The Derby. He was the Leading sire in France and also in England in the same year.[2]

Blandford
SireSwynford
GrandsireJohn O'Gaunt
DamBlanche
DamsireWhite Eagle
SexStallion
Foaled1919
CountryIreland
ColourBrown[1]
BreederIrish National Stud
OwnerSamuel C. Dawson & Richard C. Dawson
TrainerRichard C. Dawson
Record4: 3-1-0
Earningsnot found
Major wins
Princess of Wales's Stakes (1922)
Awards
Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland
(1934, 1935, 1938)
Leading sire in France (1935)
Honours
Blandford Stakes at Curragh Racecourse
Last updated on 7 June 2011

He was bred by the Irish National Stud at Tully. Blandford had pneumonia as a foal and was not ready for the early sale, but was later offered at the December Newmarket Sale where he sold for 720 guineas ro Messrs. RC & SC Dawson.[3]

Race record

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Trained by co-owner Dick Dawson, Blandford raced only four times in his career. At age two he ran second in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Ascot Racecourse and at three won the Princess of Wales's Stakes. Bad forelegs, inherited from his grandsire, John O'Gaunt, limited Blandford's career to four starts.

Stud record

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When he was retired to stud he initially stood at a fee of £149 which was later raised to 400 guineas.[3] During 1924 his progeny earned £70,510.[4]

According to Thoroughbred Heritage, at stud Blandford proved to be one of the great sires of the English turf. Among his offspring were:

Foaled Name Sex Major Wins/Achievements
1926 Trigo Stallion Epsom Derby (1929), St Leger Stakes (1929), Irish St. Leger (1929)
1927 Blenheim Stallion Epsom Derby (1930), Leading sire in North America (1941)
1929 Udaipur Mare Epsom Oaks
1931 Brantôme Stallion Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (1934)
1931 Campanula Mare 1000 Guineas Stakes
1931 Windsor Lad Stallion Epsom Derby (1934), St Leger Stakes (1934), Coronation Cup (1935)
1932 Bahram Stallion English Triple Crown (1935)
1935 Pasch Stallion 2000 Guineas Stakes
Harienero Stallion
Midstream Stallion Leading sire in Australia

Blandford was still successfully breeding at Whatcombe Stables in Wantage, Oxfordshire when he died unexpectedly on 24 April 1935 at age sixteen. He is buried in Whatcombe's equine cemetery. Blandford sired the winners of 308 races worth £327,840 in England, plus overseas winners.[3]

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Blandford (GB), brown stallion, 1919
Sire
Swynford
Black 1907
John o'Gaunt
1901
Isinglass Isonomy
Deadlock
La Fleche St. Simon
Quiver
Canterbury Pilgrim
Chestnut 1893
Tristan Hermit
Thrift
Pilgrimage The Palmer
Lady Audley
Dam
Blanche
1912
White Eagle
Chestnut 1905
Gallinule Isonomy
Moorhen
Merry Gal Galopin
Mary Seaton
Black Cherry
1892
Bendigo Ben Battle
Hasty Girl
Black Duchess Galliard
Black Corrie (Family:3-o)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Wicks, B.M., “The Australian Racehorse”, Libra Books, Canberra, 1973 ISBN 0-909619-00-X
  2. ^ Ahnert, Rainer L. (editor in chief), “Thoroughbred Breeding of the World”, Pozdun Publishing, Germany, 1970
  3. ^ a b c Leicester, Sir Charles, “Bloodstock Breeding”, J.A. Allen & Co, London, 1969
  4. ^ Henry, Bill (ed.), "J.J. Miller's Sporting Annual, 1977", Herald & Weekly Times Ltd., Melbourne
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