| Horsename: | Sterling |
| Sire: | Oxford |
| Grandsire: | Birdcatcher |
| Dam: | Whisper |
| Damsire: | Flatcatcher |
| Sex: | Stallion |
| Death Date: | 26 March |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Colour: | Bay |
| Breeder: | Graham brothers |
| Owner: | Miss Graham |
Sterling (1868 - 26 March 1891) was a British racehorse and sire. While not particularly successful in terms of major wins, he was very highly regarded, being rated by his jockey Harry Custance as the equal of Thormanby.[1]
Sterling was a bay horse bred and owned by the Graham family who owned the Yardley Stud near Birmingham.[2] His dam, Whisper, was bred by Mr. R. Taylor and produced ten foals between 1866 and her death in 1882.[3] Sterling was her third foal and one of six sired by Oxford. Whisper's other good racers included Playfair.[4]
Sterling won five races including the Liverpool Autumn Cup at Aintree Racecourse. He also finished second to Bothwell in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on 25 April 1871.[5] In the autumn of 1871, the owner of the Belmont Stakes winner Harry Bassett's owner issued a challenge to the owner of Sterling for a one and a half mile match race at level weights, to be run in the United States. Sterling's owner responded by offering to put up £12,000 to the American's £8,000, but only if the match took place in England. The race never materialised.[6]
Sterling was much more successful as a breeding stallion than he had been as a racehorse. [1]
| 1875 | Isonomy | Stallion | Ascot Gold Cup (1879, 1880) | |
| 1881 | Harvester | Stallion | Epsom Derby | |
| 1882 | Paradox | Stallion | 2000 Guineas Stakes | |
| 1884 | Enterprise | Stallion | 2000 Guineas Stakes | |
| 1886 | Enthusiast | Stallion | 2000 Guineas Stakes |