Springfield (1873–1898) was a successful English

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...

racehorse that won 14 consecutive races and was a useful sire of the late 19th century. He was the grandsire of two English Triple Crown winners: Galtee More, who was exported to Russia, and later Germany and

Rock Sand Rock Sand (1900–1914) was a British Thoroughbred race horse and sire. In a career which lasted from the spring of 1902 until October 1904 he ran twenty times and won sixteen races. He was a leading British two-year-old of his generation an ...

, who was exported to the U.S. and in turn was the grandsire of Man o' War, widely considered one of the greatest racehorses of all time. He was a bay colt foaled in 1873 at

Bushy Park Bushy Park in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is the second largest of London's Royal Parks, at in area, after Richmond Park. The park, most of which is open to the public, is immediately north of Hampton Court Palace and Hampton ...

Paddocks at

Hampton Court Hampton Court Palace is a Listed building, Grade I listed royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, southwest and upstream of central London on the River Thames. Opened to the public, the palace is managed by Historic Royal ...

. Springfield was sired by the St. Leger Stakes winner St. Albans, his dam was

Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in January 1901. Her reign of 63 year ...

's Viridis by Marsyas (who won the

July Cup The July Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 me ...

, and later sired The Derby winner George Frederick). He was sold as a yearling and purchased by J.H. Houldsworth for 320 guineas. Springfield was line-bred to

Sultan Sultan (; ', ) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ', meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be use ...

in the fourth and fifth generation of his pedigree (5m x 4f).Morris, Simon; ''Tesio Power 2000 - Stallions of the World'', Syntax Software

Racing record

At two years

Springfield won his first start, the Prince of Wales's Plate at York and the following day won the six-furlong

Gimcrack Stakes The Gimcrack Stakes is a Group races, Group 2 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old Colt (horse), colts and geldings. It is run at York Racecourse, Yor ...

. In October he had a victory in the four furlongs Two Year Old Stakes at Newmarket. Following this Springfield then finished second in the Criterion Stakes defeated by a head from Clanronald and another second in the

Dewhurst Stakes The Dewhurst Stakes is a Group races, Group 1 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old Colt (horse), colts and Filly, fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mi ...

to the future

Epsom Derby The Derby Stakes, more commonly known as the Derby and sometimes referred to as the Epsom Derby, is a Group races, Group 1 flat Horse racing, horse race in England open to three-year-old Colt (horse), colts and Filly, fillies. It is run at Ep ...

winner Kisber, These were the only times that he was defeated during his racing career,

At three years

Springfield was undefeated as a three-year-old, winning nine races, two of which were walk-overs. The wins included the

July Cup The July Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 me ...

, Goodwood's Bagnor Stakes, and the Bradgate Stakes at Doncaster. He won twice at Royal Ascot, taking the Fern Hill Stakes and the New Biennial Stakes.

At four years

In 1877 he was again undefeated in his five starts, which included victories in the Queen's Stand Plate, the July Cup. His final race was the 1¼ mile

Champion Stakes The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong a ...

in which he defeated The Derby winner Silvio. Springfield finished his racing career with 19 starts, 17 wins and 2 seconds for earnings of £8,920.

Stud record

Springfield stood at Bushey Paddocks at Hampton Court for an initial fee of 100 guineas, later rising to 200 guineas. After the Royal Stud was dispersed Springfield was transferred to Houldsworth's Newmarket stud. His progeny included: He died on 31 March 1898, age 25.

References