Ossory (1885–1889) was a Thoroughbred racehorse. He was trained at Kingsclere by John Porter for the 1st Duke of Westminster. As a three-year-old he won the Prince of Wales's Stakes and St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Ossory
Racing silks of the Duke of Westminster
SireBend Or
GrandsireDoncaster
DamLily Agnes
DamsireMacaroni
SexColt
Foaled1885
ColourChestnut
Breeder1st Duke of Westminster
Owner1st Duke of Westminster
TrainerJohn Porter
Record5 wins
Earnings£5,358[1]
Major wins
Prince of Wales's Stakes (1888)
St. James's Palace Stakes (1888)
Great Yorkshire Stakes (1888)

Breeding

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Ossory was a full-brother to the unbeaten Triple Crown winner Ormonde. Both being sons of Epsom Derby winner Bend Or and Doncaster Cup winner Lily Agnes. Like his brother Ormonde, Ossory was a roarer.[2]

Racing career

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Ossory only raced once as a two-year-old, winning the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket.[3] He started as a 50/1 outsider for the 2000 Guineas and finished last out of the six runners.[4] He then went to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales's Stakes. Starting at odds of 10/1 Ossory pulled away in the last 100 yards to win by three lengths from Galore.[5] Ossory and Galore met again at the Royal meeting, this time over a mile in the St. James's Palace Stakes where only the two lined up. With 300 yards to go the two horses were level and then Galore began to edge ahead, but in the closing strides Ossory came back at him and the race finished in a dead heat.[6]

Ossory next started in the Eclipse Stakes. Starting at 100/6 and ridden by Tom Cannon junior he led the field of thirteen in the opening stages of the race. Three furlongs into the race he had a sizeable lead, but stablemate Orbit had closed the gap as they entered the finishing straight. By the time they entered the final 100 yards Orbit had taken the lead, which he gradually increased to win by a length from Ossory, with Martley a further length back in third place.[7] Ossory then finished unplaced in the Sussex Stakes. His next race came in at York where he started as the 5/4 joint favourite for the Great Yorkshire Stakes. Ossory led his two rivals into the finishing straight and neither were able to catch him, leaving Ossory to win by a length from Arrandale.[8] He made the running in the St Leger Stakes and finished unplaced.[9]

Death

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After the 1888 season Ossory was sold for stud duties and exported to South America. He left in January 1889, but while on the journey they experienced severe weather conditions in the Atlantic Ocean. As a result of this Ossory died from exhaustion and was thrown overboard.[10][11]

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Ossory, chestnut colt, 1885
Sire
Bend Or
ch. 1877
Doncaster
ch. 1870
Stockwell
ch. 1849
The Baron
Pocahontas
Marigold
ch. 1860
Teddington
Ratan mare
Rouge Rose
ch. 1865
Thormanby
ch. 1857
Windhound
Alice Hawthorn
Ellen Horne
br. 1844
Redshank
Delhi
Dam
Lily Agnes
b. 1871
Macaroni
b. 1860
Sweetmeat
br. 1842
Gladiator
Lollypop
Jocose
b. 1843
Pantaloon
Banter
Polly Agnes
b./br. 1865
The Cure
b. 1841
Physician
Morsel
Miss Agnes
br. 1850
Birdcatcher
Agnes (Family: 16-h)

Note: b. = Bay, br. = Brown, ch. = Chestnut

References

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  1. ^ Porter, John; Moorhouse, Edward (1919). John Porter of Kingsclere. G. Richards Ltd.
  2. ^ "Sporting Notes". Wanganui Herald. 1 November 1888. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  3. ^ "KINGSCLERE". Otago Witness. 6 April 1888. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  4. ^ "DERBY SPRING MEETING". Otago Witness. 22 June 1888. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  5. ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND". Otago Witness. 27 July 1888. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  6. ^ "A GOOD FINISH". Press. 31 August 1888. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  7. ^ "RACING IN ENGLAND". Otago Witness. 21 September 1888. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  8. ^ "RACING IN NEW ZEALAND". Otago Witness. 26 October 1888. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  9. ^ "THE LAST OF THE CLASSIC RACES". Observer. 10 November 1888. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  10. ^ "IN A NUTSHELL". Otago Witness. 4 April 1889. Retrieved 2012-08-27.
  11. ^ "SPORTING NOTES". Press. 8 April 1889. Retrieved 2012-08-27.