Norman (horse)

Norman (also known as Norman III, 1905 – after 1918) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was exported from the United States as a yearling and showed some promise as a juvenile in 1907 when he won twice from nine starts. In the following spring he recorded a 25/1 upset victory in the 2000 Guineas. He was unplaced when favourite for the Epsom Derby and finished last in the St Leger but ended his second season with a victory in the Newmarket St Leger. He raced for another two seasons but never recaptured his classic winning form. He made no impact as a breeding stallion.

For the horse breed, see Norman Cob.
Norman
Norman in 1908.
SireOctagon
GrandsireRayon d'Or
DamNineveh
DamsireThe Ill-Used
SexStallion
Foaled1905[1]
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederAugust Belmont Jr.
OwnerAugust Belmont Jr.
TrainerJohn Watson
Record15: 4-1-3 (incomplete)
Major wins
Exeter Stakes (1907)
2000 Guineas (1908)
Newmarket St Leger (1908)

Background

Norman was a bay horse bred in the United States by his American owner August Belmont Jr. Like several major American owners Belmont had moved most of his hoses to Europe following the passing of the Hart–Agnew Law.[2] The colt was sent to England as a yearling and entered training with John Watson at the Palace House stable in Newmarket in Suffolk.[3]

Both of Norman's parents were bred and owned by Belmont. He was sired by the Kentucky-bred stallion Octagon whose wins included the Toboggan Handicap, Withers Stakes and Brooklyn Derby. His dam Nineveh was a descendant of the broodmare Mildred, making her a relative of Kalitan and Souffle (Kentucky Oaks).[4]

Racing career

1907: two-year-old season

Norman ran nine times as a two-year-old in 1907. He won two races, including the Exeter Stakes, and finished third twice.[5] When tried against top-class opposition in the Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse in October he finished unplaced[6] behind the filly Rhodora.

1908: three-year-old season
August Belmont, Jr., who owned and bred Norman

On 6 May 1908 Norman started a 25/1 outsider against sixteen opponents for the 100th running of the 2000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. Ridden by Otto Madden he upset the odds as he took the lead in the last quarter mile and drew away to win "easily"[7] by three lengths clear of Sir Archibald with White Eagle three quarters of a length back in third. The result of the race saw Norman promoted to the position of favourite for the Epsom Derby.[8]

In the Derby over one and a half miles at Epsom Racecourse on 3 June Norman started the 11/2 favourite and was againpartneed by Madden. He was in second place at half way but then faded out of contention and finished fifteenth of the eighteen runners behind the 100/1 outsider Signorinetta.[9] In September he was fancied to run well in the St Leger but made no impact as he came home last of the ten runners behind Your Majesty.[10] In October, the colt returned to winning form when he took the Newmarket St Leger over one and three-quarter miles.[11]

Later career

Norman remained in training for at least two more years but failed to win any more major races. In March 1910 he finished third behind Cinderella and Forerunerr in the Lincolnshire Handicap.[12] Later that month he a second when favourite for the Newark Plate at Nottingham Racecourse.[13]

Assessment and honours

In their book, A Century of Champions, based on the Timeform rating system, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Norman a "poor" winner of the 2000 Guineas.[14]

Stud record

After his retirement from racing Norman was exported to become a breeding stallion at the Abony Stud in Hungary.[15] He had no success as a sire of winners.

Pedigree
Pedigree of Norman (USA), bay stallion, 1905[1]
Sire
Octagon (USA)
1894		 Rayon d'Or (FR)
1876		 Flageolet Plutus (GB)
Le Favorite
Araucaria (GB) Ambrose
Pocahontas
Ortegal (GB)
1889		 Bend Or Doncaster
Rouge Rose
Lizzie Agnes Macaroni
Polly Agnes
Dam
Nineveh (USA)
1892		 The Ill-Used (GB)
1870		 Breadalbane Stockwell
Blink Bonny
Ellermire Chanticleer (IRE)
Ellerdale
Semiramis (USA)
1888		 St Blaise (GB) Hermit
Fusee
Sultana Lexington
Mildred (Family: 12-b)[4]

References
  1. "Norman pedigree". Equineline.
  2. Rochecourt, Pierre (January 14, 1912). "Americans prosper on French tracks". Retrieved September 2, 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
  3. Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
  4. "Diana – Family 12-b". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
  5. "English Sporting". The Evening Post. 7 May 1908. p. 7 – via Papers Past.
  6. "Sporting". The New Zealand Herald. 8 May 1908. p. 8 – via Papers Past.
  7. "The Two Thousand Guineas". The New Zealand Herald. 17 June 1908. p. 5 – via Papers Past.
  8. "Sporting". The New Zealand Herald. 30 May 1908. p. 7 – via Papers Past.
  9. "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 15 July 1908. p. 56 – via Papers Past.
  10. "The Racing World". Auckland Star. 21 October 1908. p. 7 – via Papers Past.
  11. "The Turf". Evening Star. 2 December 1908. p. 3 – via Papers Past.
  12. "Racing in England". Otago Witness. 23 March 1910. p. 56 – via Papers Past.
  13. "The Sporting World". Evening Star (Dunedin). 10 May 1910. p. 3 – via Papers Past.
  14. Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1999). A Century of Champions. Portway Press. ISBN 1-901570-15-0.
  15. "Az abonyi ménes (in Hungarian)". Könyvtár Vadász- és Versenylap. No. page 23. 2 January 1911. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
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