Squirt (horse)

Squirt
Sire	Bartlett's Childers
Grandsire	Darley Arabian
Dam	Sister to Old Country Wench[1]
Damsire	Snake
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1732
Country	Great Britain
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	William Metcalfe
Owner	Charles Colyear, 2nd Earl of Portmore
Last updated on 27 May 2016

Squirt (1732 – ?) was a Thoroughbred racehorse, best known as the grandsire of Eclipse, founder of the breed's dominant sire line.[2] He lived at a time when the Thoroughbred breed was in its infancy, before even the foundation of the Jockey Club (in 1750) and General Stud Book (in 1791). Thus information is incomplete.

Breeding

Squirt was bred by William Metcalfe of Beverley, Yorkshire.[3] His sire was Bartlett's Childers, a full brother to Flying Childers, considered the greatest race horse of his time. Bartlett's Childers, also known as Bleeding Childers because he bled from the nose on exertion, never raced but did become a major sire.[4] Squirt's dam, Sister to Old Country Wench, had earlier produced Grey Robinson, who in turn produced the undefeated Regulus.

Racing career

During his racing career, Squirt was owned by Charles Colyear, (2nd) Earl of Portmore. He began racing at five, as was customary at the time. His performances include:

• in 1737, won 200 guineas at Newmarket
• in 1738, beaten by Lath in a match race at Newmarket
• in 1739, won 200 guineas at Newmarket, 40 guineas at Epsom, 50 guineas at Stamford, and £30 at Winchester
• in 1740, won a plate at Salisbury.[3]

Breeding career

Squirt then became a stallion for Sir Henry Harpur of Calke, Derbyshire. Squirt was nearly put down after developing laminitis, but his groom begged for a reprieve.[5] Squirt's offspring includes:

• Marske (1750), sire of the unbeaten Eclipse, amongst others. Through Eclipse, Squirt's sire line continues to the present day. In Great Britain and Ireland, his sire line includes leading sires such as Sadler's Wells, Danehill and Galileo. In North America, leading sires in his line include Bold Ruler (sire of Secretariat), Mr. Prospector (ancestor of American Pharoah), Danzig, Storm Cat, AP Indy, Giant's Causeway and Tapit. In Japan, Squirt's sire line includes leading sires Sunday Silence, King Kamehameha and Deep Impact, while in Australia leading sires from his line include Redoute's Choice, Encosta De Lago and Fastnet Rock.
• Syphon (1750), winner of the £160 Great Subscription at York and others, sire of Sweetwilliam and Sweetbriar[6]
• Tim (1752), whose daughters would go on to be significant producers
• Pratt's Old Mare, who went on to produce 17 foals, including Pumpkin, winner of 20 plates,[7] and the mares Purity and Maiden, winner of 15 plates.[8]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Squirt, chestnut horse, 1732[1]

Sire Bartlet's Childers (GB) 1716	Darley Arabian (GB) 1700	(unknown)	(unknown)
			(unknown)
		(unknown)	(unknown)
			(unknown)
	Betty Leedes (GB) ~1700	Old Careless (GB)	Spanker
			Barb Mare
		Cream Cheeks (GB)	Leedes Arabian
			Spanker Mare
Dam Sister to Old Country Wench (GB) ~1713	Snake (GB) 1705	Lister Turk (Tur)	(unknown)
			(unknown)
		Hautboy Mare (GB)	Hautboy
			(unknown)
	Grey Wilkes (GB)	Hautboy (GB)	Darcy's White Turk
			Royal Mare
		Miss Darcy's Pet Mare (GB)	(unknown)
			Sedbury Royal Mare

References

1. "Squirt Horse Pedigree". pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
2. Pickrell, John (6 December 2005). "95% of thoroughbreds linked to one superstud". newscientist.com. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
3. Erigero, Patricia. "Foundation Sires". tbheritage.com. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
4. Whyte, James Christie (July 1840). "History of the British Turf: from the earliest history to the present day". openlibrary.org. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
5. Byles, Tony; 101 Interesting Facts on the History of Horse Racing
6. "Thoroughbred Bloodlines: Bartlet's Childers". bloodlines.net. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
7. "Pumpkin Horse Pedigree". pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
8. "Maiden Horse Pedigree". pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 27 May 2016.

Squirt (horse)