Bred by Thomas Panton of Newmarket and later sold to Lord Boringdon (General Parker), and then to the Prince of Wales, he raced from 1781 through 1786. His many victories on the turf included two King's Plates, at Salisbury and Winchester, beating the Derby winner Diomed (ch c 1777) in the latter, and the Whip at Newmarket. He also defeated the Oaks winner Tetotum (b f 1777) and Pot8os (ch c 1773).

He retired to stud at Aston Clinton¹, Buckinghamshire, near the border of Hertfordshire, where he stood from 1789 to 1793, and then moved to Mr O'Kelly's stud farm at Cannons in Middlesex, where he stood with Dungannon until 1798.

His daughter, Scotilla (b f 1795), was the 2nd dam of the St Leger winner Elis (ch c 1833 Langar), and an unnamed daughter, Anvil Mare (br f 1788), was the 2nd dam of Leviathan* (ch c 1823 Muley). Another daughter, Caprice (b f 1797), was the 2nd dam of the sire Economist (b c 1825 Whisker), and yet another daughter, Anvilina* (b f 1796), was the 2nd dam of the useful American sire Kosciusko (ch c 1815 Sir Archy). His son Cymbeline (b c 1790) won the July Stakes, and another, O'Kelly* (b c 1795), was sent to America.

¹  A famous hill at Aston Clinton, which is on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, was used as a hill climb for racing cars in the 1920s. From this hill the Aston Martin sports car got its name: Aston from the hill and Martin from Lionel Martin who started the company.

Pedigree

Anvil King Herod Tartar Croft's Partner Meliora Cypron Blaze Salome Sister to Quill Feather Godolphin Arabian Sister to Steady Crazy Lath Bay Basto

Race Record

In 1781 running for Mr Parker he won a 100gs match at Newmarket Second Spring from Mr Vernon's Rosemary conceding her over a stone. Later at the same meeting he won a 100gs match from Mr Douglas's Tetotum (b f 1777 Matchem). Won the £50 Ladies' Plate at Epsom, beating Mr Weller's Lottery, Capt Bertie's Jocundo, Mr Watson's Hop-Picker and 3 others. Won a 10gs each sweepstakes at Exeter, beating Mr Luttrell's Tetrarch (b c 1777 King Herod)and Mr Hamilton's Satellite. Finished 2nd for the £50 Town Plate at Maidenhead, won by Capt Bertie's Jocundo, beating Mr Williams's Merry Traveller, Mr Luttrell's Tetrarch and Mr Frogley's Columbine.

In 1782 he finished 2nd for a 100gs each sweepstakes at Newmarket First Spring, won by Mr Fox's Rodney, beating Mr Douglas's Catch (br c 1777 Goldfinder). At the same meeting won £50, beating Sir C Bunbury's Ulysses (ch c 1777 Florizel), Mr Goodison's Golden Dun (bu c 1777 King Herod) and 4 others. Finished 2nd for £50 at Newmarket Second Spring to Lord Clermont's Hollandaise, beating Sir T Dundas's Aske and 5 others. Won a 10gs each sweepstakes at Exeter. Walked over for the Cup at Bath. Won £50 at Blandford, beating Mr Helyar's Champaigne, Mr Bacon's Florizel and 2 others.

In 1783 he won a 200gs match at Newmarket First Spring from Sir C Davers's Buccaneer (b c 1776 King Herod). At the same meeting won a 200gs each sweepstakes, beating Mr Wyndham's Boxer and Lord Grosvenor's Pot8os (ch c 1773 Eclipse). Finished 2nd for a 25gs each sweepstakes at Basingstoke to Lord Egremont's Mercury (ch c 1778 Eclipse). Won the Royal Plate at Winchester beating Sir C Bunbury's Diomed and Lord Egremont's Mercury. Finished 3rd in the Royal Plate at Newmarket First October to Lord Grosvenor's Fortitude and Lord Egremont's Mercury. For the Whip and 200gs each at Newmarket Second October beat Lord Foley's Guildford and Mr O'Kelly's Boudrow (the latter "fell lame").

In 1784 running for Lord Boringdon he finished 2nd in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket, won by Mr Davis's Buzaglo, beating Lord Egremont's Mercury, Mr Lade's Wilbraham, Lord Clermont's Dictator and Lord Grosvenor's Flamer. Finished 2nd for £50 at Newmarket First Spring to Lord Egremont's Confederate, beating Mr Wyndham's Apothecary, the Duke of Grafton's Puzzle (b f 1778 Matchem), Mr Stapleton's Petrarch and Mr Scott's Golden Dun. Won a 300gs match at Newmarket Second Spring from Lord Egremont's Mercury. Finished 2nd at the same meeting in the Jockey Club Plate won by Mr Vernon's Drone (b c 1777 King Herod). Lost a 300gs match at Newmarket First October to Mr Wyndham's Drone. Running for the Prince of Wales won 60gs at Newmarket Second October, beating Mr Wyndham's Drone, Mr Broadhurst's Rosaletta, Mr Fox's Crookshanks and Lord Grosvenor's Fortitude.

In 1785 collected a forfeit for a 200gs each sweepstakes at Newmarket Second Spring.

In 1786 won a 300gs match at Newmarket from Mr Wyndham's Drone. Finished 2nd in the Jockey Club Plate at Newmarket Second Spring to Mr Wyndham's Drone, beating Lord Grosvenor's Latona and Mr Wentworth's Glancer.