Riddlesworth (horse)

Riddlesworth was a chestnut colt, with a white blaze, bred by George Child Villiers, 5th Earl of Jersey,[1] and foaled in 1828.[2] He was sired by Emilius, who had won the Riddlesworth Stakes and Derby Stakes in 1823. After retiring from racing Emilius became a successful stallion and was champion sire of Great Britain and Ireland in 1830 and 1831. Amongst his other offspring were Derby winners Priam and Plenipotentiary, St. Leger winner Mango, Oaks winner Oxygen and 1000 Guineas winners Preserve, Barcarolle and Extempore.[3] Riddlesworth's dam Fillagree was a daughter of Soothsayer. She also foaled 1000 Guineas winner Charlotte West and 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner Cobweb.[4] Riddlesworth was Fillagree's eighth foal.[2] He was trained by James Edwards.[5]

Riddlesworth started his racing career on 4 April 1831 in the Riddlesworth Stakes at the Newmarket Craven Meeting. He was ridden by George Edwards and started as the 1/2 favourite. He justified favouritism and won the race. Anthony was second and Egbert third.[6] Three days later he beat Vestris to win the one-mile Dinner Stakes, this time being ridden by James Robinson.[7] On 19 April only six horses started the 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket. Riddlesworth was the 1/5 favourite, again was again ridden to victory by James Robinson. Sarpedeon finished second, with Bohemian third and Ciudad Rodrigo fourth.[8] Three says later he faced seven rivals in the Newmarket Stakes. He was again sent off as the odds-on favourite and duly won.[9] Incubus was second, three lengths behind Riddlesworth, and well clear of the rest of the field.[10] On 19 May at Epsom Downs he started as the 4/6 favourite for the Derby Stakes. His closest rivals in the betting were Vestris at 12/1, Blunderer at 16/1 and Bras de Fer at 20/1. Twenty-three horses started the race, which was won by 50/1 outsider Spaniel. Riddlesworth finished second and was the only other horse placed.[11] He was sold to Sir Mark Wood for 2500 guineas, at which point he was favourite for the St. Leger.[12] On the 25 August it was reported that he was ill, and he drifted out to as big as 30/1 in the betting for the St. Leger.[13] He never started again and retired having earned 4640 guineas in prize money during his career.[14]

Riddlesworth was considered to be the best horse of his year. Commenting on some peoples suggestion that it was a "bad year for horses", one reporter for the Sporting Magazine wrote: "I, who am not a fashionable man, contend that it is the superiority of Riddlesworth that makes them only look so."[15]

Riddlesworth was purchased by Sir Mark Wood and then exported to Germany in 1832. After being briefly brought back to England he was sold to Dr. John Nott and sent to Alabama in the United States. Riddlesworth's daughter Sally Riddlesworth was the direct female-line ancestor of King's Courier.[16][17] King's Courier won the Doncaster Cup in 1900.[18] Riddlesworth died in early 1843 at J.L Bradley's stable in Lexington, Kentucky[19] of pneumonia.[20]

• List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses

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

* Riddlesworth was inbred 4 × 4 to Trumpator. This means that the stallion appears twice in the fourth generation of his pedigree.