The Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Volume 2 (of 2) / Of General Information upon Every Subject Appertaining to the Sports of the Field

by William Taplin

ROCKINGHAM

.—This horse, now in so much estimation as a STALLION, proved himself, by his performances, to be one of the best bred and best bottomed of any this kingdom ever produced. He was bred in the north, by Mr. Pratt, foaled in 1781; and got by Highflyer, out of Purity, who was got by Matchem, out of Mr. Pratt's old Squirt mare. In 1784, when three years old, he won a sweepstakes at Nottingham of 50 guineas each, 3 subscribers. In 1785, when Mr. Wentworth's, he won a match for 500 guineas over the Beacon Course at Newmarket. The same meeting he won the Jockey Club Plate, beating five others: he also beat his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales's Hardwicke, 9 stone each, over the Beacon, 300 guineas. He was then purchased by the Prince, and beat Clay-hall Marsk, a match, Beacon Course, for 500 guineas, giving him 5 lb. in weight. In 1786, he won a 50l. Plate at Newmarket, beating Delpini, Clay-hall, and George. He won the subscription of 50 guineas each, (6 subscribers,) at Ascot Heath, and a 50l. Plate. At the sale of his Royal Highness's stud he was bought by Mr. Bullock. He then won the King's Hundred at Litchfield; 70 guineas at Newmarket, and 60 guineas also; beating four others; as well as 70 guineas, beating the well known Drone, and several others. In 1787, he won 525 guineas, (the great subscription of 50 guineas each, half forfeit,) beating Fox, Delpini, Marplot, Drone, Oberon, and Pilot; receiving forfeit from Mr. O'Kelly's Dungannon, and six others. He also won a 50l. the King's two Plates; the renewed 140 guineas, 70 guineas, 60 guineas, and 70 guineas, all at Newmarket; the King's Plate at Guildford, the King's Plate at Winchester, the King's Plate at Nottingham, the King's Plate and the Town Plate at York.

In 1788, he was purchased of Mr. Bullock by Lord Barrymore for 2500 guineas; after which he won the King's Plate at Newmarket; the Jockey Club Plate; and a match against Sir G. Armytage's Stargazer, giving her 8 lb. Beacon Course, for 300 guineas, and beat her half a mile; rode by Lord Barrymore, which was the last time he started. He was then announced as a STALLION, to cover at Bennington, near Stevenage, Herts. at 10 guineas a mare, and 1 guinea the groom. So anxious were the SPORTING WORLD to try his PRODUCE, that, in 1792, Mr. Panton's Coddy Moddy, by Rockingham, out of Seagul's dam, and Mr. Fox's Filly, by Rockingham, out of Emily, each won 100 guineas at Newmarket, being then only two years old. In 1793 was brought to the post, Patriot, (Mr. Panton's,) who won 100 guineas, 100 guineas, and 105 guineas, at Newmarket. Portland, (Mr. Hammond's,) who won 100 guineas, and 100 guineas, at Newmarket, and 100 guineas at Doncaster; and Young Rockingham, (Mr. Denton's,) who won 50l. at Peterborough, 50l. at Reading, and 50l. at Egham. In 1794, Lord Grosvenor's Bay Colt, who won 1400 guineas at Newmarket. Bennington, (Mr. Wilson's,) who won 50 guineas, 100 guineas, 300 guineas, 600 guineas, and 100 guineas, at Newmarket. Brother Red Cap, (Mr. Bullock's,) 50l. at Chelmsford, and 100 guineas at Newmarket. Miss Pumpkin, 50 guineas at Newmarket. Mother Red Cap, 50l. at Winchester, 22 guineas at Cirencester, and 50l. at Worcester. Owen Tudor, the silver cup, and 20 guineas, at Bath, 50l. at Bridgnorth, and 50 guineas at Epsom. This year Patriot won seven Plates and sweepstakes, at Stamford, Grantham, Nottingham, Lincoln, and Doncaster.

In 1795 was produced of his get, Arabella, (Mr. Cosen's,) who won 50 guineas at Newmarket, and 50l. at Shrewsbury. Lord Grosvenor's Bay Colt of last year won 700 guineas at Newmarket, and 50l. at Huntingdon. Bennington won the second class of the Oatlands at Newmarket, 50 guineas each, 19 subscribers. Brother Red Cap, 40 guineas at Bath, and 50l. at Epsom. Euphrasia, 100 guineas at Bath, and 50l. at Newcastle. Patriot, two fifties at Newmarket, and 180 guineas at Nantwich. Portland, 50 guineas at Newmarket. Susannah, 50l. at Derby, and 50l. at Penrith. In 1796, Arabella won 100 guineas at Newmarket, and 50l. at Newcastle. Patriot, 100 guineas, and 100 guineas, at Chester, 50l. at Nottingham, and 50l. at Warwick. Susannah, the Queen's Plate of 100 guineas at Chelmsford, and two fifties at Reading. In 1797, Bennington won a 50l. and the first class of the July and October Oatlands, at Newmarket, beating Viret, Wrangler, Parrot, Hornpipe, Plumette, Rattle, William, Sober Robin, Cymbeline, Letitia, and Rosolio. Patriot won 50l. at Nottingham, 50l. at Warwick, and 50l. at Boroughbridge. In 1798, Bennington won 50 guineas, and 50 guineas, at Newmarket, 50l. at Brighton, and 50l. at Lewes. Patriot won 50l. at York. In 1799, Bellina (Lord Grosvenor's) won the Oaks Stakes of 50 guineas each at Epsom, 24 subscribers, and 50l. at Stockbridge. Logie O'Buchan (Mr. Lonsdale's) won 50l. and 80l. at Manchester, two fifties at Morpeth, and 50l. at Carlisle. In 1800, Mr. Bettison's Brown Colt won 50l. at Derby, and 50l. at Northampton. Kill Devil, (Mr. Hemming's,) only three years old, won ten prizes; 75 guineas at Bridgnorth, 50l. at Nantwich, 100 guineas, and two fifties, at Haverfordwest, two fifties at Hereford, 30 guineas and 50l. at Shrewsbury, and 50l. at Newmarket. Logie O'Buchan won the King's Plate at Edinburgh, two fifties at Montrose, and 50l. at Air. Statesman (now Sacripant) (Mr. White's) won 50l. at Newmarket, 50l. at Epsom, and 50l. at Worcester. In addition to which, there are many other good runners, who have won a considerable number of prizes.