Beeswing (horse)

Beeswing (1833–1854) was a 19th-century British Thoroughbred racehorse from the north of England. In her day, Beeswing was hailed as the greatest mare in Britain and one of the greatest of all time.[1]

Beeswing
Beeswing
SireDoctor Syntax
GrandsirePaynator
DamArdrossan mare (1817)
DamsireArdrossan
SexMare
Foaled1833
CountryGreat Britain
ColourBay
BreederNunnykirk Hall Stud
OwnerWilliam Orde, Jr.
TrainerJames Watson
Robert "Bob" Johnson
Record63: 51–8–1
Major wins
Champagne Stakes (1835)
Newcastle St. Leger (1836)
Newcastle Gold Cup
(1836, 1837, 1838, 1839, 1841, 1842)
Doncaster Cup
(1837, 1840, 1841, 1842)
Cleveland Stakes (1837)
Gold Shield (1837)
Northallerton Gold Cup (1837, 1838)
Craven Stakes (1838, 1839, 1840)
Queen's Plate (1838, 1839)
Fitzwilliam Stakes (1838, 1839, 1840)
Queen's Purse (1839)
Stockton Cup (1839, 1841)
Ashton Stakes (1840)
Lancaster Cup (1840)
Hornsby Castle Stakes (1841)
Ascot Gold Cup (1842)
Honours
Beeswing Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse
Beeswing Ladies Day at Newcastle Racecourse
Village named in Beeswing's honor
Last updated on 15 May 2009

Breeding

Her sire, Doctor Syntax was described by the noted racing writer "The Druid" as "...scarcely fifteen hands, very broad at the base of the nose, with open nostrils, an eye full and bright as a hawk's, a high, drooping rump, and on the side view rather short quartered. He was quite a mouse in his colour." But he took the Preston Gold Cup seven times, the Richmond Gold Cup five times, and the Lancaster Gold Cup five times as well. On both her dam's and her sire's side, Beeswing was descended from two renowned stallions, Eclipse (5x5x5) and Herod (5x5).

Racing career

Beeswing raced at many venues between 1835 and 1842 and was a real crowd favourite. Entering 63 events, she won an astonishing 51 times. Of the 57 races she finished, she was placed lower than second only once. Her most notable victory was in the Ascot Gold Cup of 1842. She won the Newcastle Cup no fewer than six times and was retired after winning the Doncaster Cup for the fourth time.[1]

James Hill of Tyneside composed a hornpipe, "The Beeswing," named after her.[2] Such was her fame that the Scottish village of Lochend in Dumfries and Galloway changed its name to Beeswing in her honour.

Stud record

Of her eight foals, five were sired by Touchstone. Four of her foals went on to become top class runners, two of which were Classic winners. Many of today's top racehorses can trace their pedigree back to Beeswing. Some of her top runners were:

Pedigree
Pedigree of Beeswing (GB), bay mare, 1833[3]
Sire
Doctor Syntax (GB)
1811		 Paynator
1791		 Trumpator Conductor
Brunette
Mark Anthony mare Mark Anthony
Signora
Beningbrough mare Beningbrough King Fergus
Fenwick's Herod mare
Jenny Mole Carbuncle
Prince Tquassaw mare
Dam
Ardrossan mare (GB)
1817		 Ardrossan
1809		 John Bull Fortitude
Xantippe
Miss Whip Volunteer
Wimbleton
Lady Eliza
1813		 Whitworth Agonistes
Jupiter mare
Spadille mare Spadille
Sylvia (Family 8)[4]

See also

References
  1. Ahnert, Rainer L. (editor in chief), “Thoroughbred Breeding of the World”, Pozdun Publishing, Germany, 1970
  2. "The Fiddler's Companion".
  3. "Beeswing pedigree". equineline.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
  4. "Thoroughbred Bloodlines - Bustler Mare - Family 8". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
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