Turcoman (horse) explained

Horsename:Turcoman
Sire:Selim
Grandsire:Buzzard
Dam:Pope Joan
Damsire:Waxy
Sex:Stallion
Foaled:1824
Country:United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Colour:Brown
Breeder:George FitzRoy, 4th Duke of Grafton
Owner:1) Duke of Grafton
2) Lord Henry Seymour
Trainer:Robert Stephenson
Race:2000 Guineas (1827)

Turcoman (1824  - 12 April 1846) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse notable for winning the 2000 Guineas Stakes in 1827.

Background

Turcoman was sired by Selim, who had won the Craven Stakes and the Oatlands Stakes at Newmarket. Selim was British champion sire in 1814, siring the classic winners Azor (Epsom Derby), Medora (Oaks), Nicolo (2000 Guineas), and the filly by Selim (1000 Guineas) as well as the British Champion sire Sultan.[1] [2] Turcoman's dam, Pope Joan, was a successful broodmare that also produced Tontine (1000 Guineas) and his full-sister Turquoise (Oaks), among many other winners.[3] Turcoman was Pope Joan's tenth foal out of 14 offspring produced before her death in 1830.

Racing career

1828: four-year-old season

Turcoman was sold to Lord Henry Seymour, the founder of the French Jockey Club and the second son of the Marquess of Hertford, in 1828 and was briefly exported to France. Lord Henry bought Turcoman and the colt Link Boy (winner of the 1827 Goodwood Cup) specifically to race against the five-year-old French mare Vittoria (sired by Milton out of Geane), owned by the Duke of Guiche. Vittoria later produced the winners Romulus (Prix du Jockey Club), Nautilus (Grand Prix and three-time Prix du Cadran) and Vegogne (Prix de Diane). Turcoman won a 2000-meter match race on the Champ-de-Mars against the horse Flamingo, but the win was disputed.[4] Lord Henry sold Turcoman to Mr. Payne two days before he received notice of a rematch race from Guiche. Payne returned Turcoman to Great Britain for the 1829 season.

Breeding career

After returning from France, Turcoman stood at Finnebrogue House, near Downpatrick for much of the 1830s and 40s, commanding a fee of between four and five guineas.[5] [6] Turcoman died of a kidney ailment on 12 April 1846 while under the ownership of a Mr. Stanier, who lived at Horton, near Wem, Shropshire.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Selim . Bloodlines.net . 2018-12-31.
  2. Book: Morris. Tony. Randall. John. Horse Racing: Records, Facts, Champions (Third Edition). Guinness Publishing . 1990. 0-85112-902-1.
  3. Web site: Thoroughbred Bloodlines - Prunella - Family 1-e . Bloodlines.net . 2018-12-31.
  4. Courses de chevaux . Journal des haras, des chasses et des courses de chevaux . 1 October 1829 . 411-412 . 31 December 2018.
  5. News: Staff . To cover this season, 1844 . Belfast Commercial Chronicle . page 3 . 6 March 1844.
  6. News: Staff . Stallions for 1831 . The Irish Racing Book and Sheet Calendar . page 4 . 14 May 1831.
  7. News: Staff . Death of Turcoman . Eddowes's Journal, and General Advertiser for Shropshire, and the Principality of Wales . Page 2 . 15 April 1846.