Bay Middleton (GB)
 
 


Courtesy of Richard Green

 

Sire Line


Bay Middleton

Sire


Sultan

Dam


Cobweb, with Bay Middleton

 

Bay Middleton b c 1833 (Sultan - Cobweb, by Phantom). Sire Line Bay Middleton. Family 1-s.

Bay Middleton was bred at Middleton Stoney, Oxfordshire, by George Child Villiers (1773-1859), 8th Viscount Grandison and 5th Earl of Jersey, a prominent early 19th century breeder and owner, who was twice appointed Master of the Horse to Queen Victoria, in 1841 and 1852. His other classics winners included the Two Thousand Guineas winners Riddlesworth (ch c 1828 Emilius), Glencoe (ch c 1831 Sultan), Ibrahim (br c 1832 Sultan) and Achmet (b c 1834 Sultan), the Derby winners Middleton (ch c 1822 Phantom) and Mameluke (b c 1824 Partisan), the One Thousand Guineas winner Charlotte West (ch f 1827 Tramp), and the One Thousand Guineas and Oaks winner Cobweb. Cobweb was the dam of Bay Middleton and Achmet as well as the One Thousand Guineas winner Clementina (b f 1844 Venison). Lord Jersey is also the breeder of record for The Princess (ch f 1841 Slane) who won the Oaks for Colonel Anson. Bay Middleton was later purchased by Lord George Bentinck (1802-1848), son of the 4th Duke of Portland, for £4000.

Bay Middleton, who stood sixteen hands, one and a half inches, was noted for his good quarters, arched neck and indomitable courage, although he was beset by a wonky foreleg. A difficult youngster who "bolted with everybody," he was eventually calmed by the careful riding of James Robinson.

Running only as three year old he was called "Brother to Nell Gwynne" in his first engagement, the Riddlesworth Stakes at Newmarket, Craven, which he won in the "commonest of canters". He remained undefeated the rest of the year, winning the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes at Newmarket, First Spring, the Derby Stakes at Epsom, the Buckhurst Stakes at Ascot, and, despite a battle with the game Elis, the Grand Duke Michael Stakes at Newmarket, First October. He also collected £150 for a walk-over and beat Muezzin with "ridicuolous ease" in a match for 300 guineas whilst conceding him nearly a stone. He remained in training for several more years although his leg prevented him from starting and he finally broke down in 1838.

He was not initially successful in the stud and at one point covered at the Turf Tavern in Doncaster for only 10 guineas. He did, however, get the Derby winner Andover (b c 1851), the One Thousand Guineas winner Aphrodite (br f 1848), the Two Thousand Guineas winner The Hermit (br c 1851) and the Derby and St Leger winner The Flying Dutchman (br c 1846), the latter from Barbelle and responsible for the perpetuation of the Herod sire line in France. Bay Middleton was a Champion Sire in 1844 and 1849. He died at Danebury, near Stockbridge, Hampshire, in November of 1857.

 
Pedigree
Bay Middleton Sultan Selim Buzzard
Alexander Mare
Bacchante Williamson's Ditto
Sister to Calomel
Cobweb Phantom Walton
Julia
Fillagree Soothsayer
Web
Race Record
 
In 1836 won the 200 sovereigns Riddlesworth at Newmarket Craven, beating Mr Walker's Emineh (ch f 1833 Sultan), Mr Houldsworth's Destiny (ch f 1833 Sultan), Mr Ridsdale's Mendicant (ch c 1826 Tramp) and 2 others. Walked over for £50 at the same meeting. Won the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes at Newmarket First Spring, beating Lord Lichfield's Elis (ch c 1833 Langar), Lord Berner's Brother to May Day (ch c 1833 Lamplighter), the Duke of Grafton's Calmuck (b c 1833 Zinganee), Lord Exeter's Muezzin (b c 1833 Sultan) and Whaley (ch c 1833 Langar). Won the  £3475 Derby at Epsom, beating Lord Wilton's Gladiator (ch c 1833 Partisan), Mr J Day's Venison (br c 1833 Partisan), Colonel Peel's Slane (b c 1833 Royal Oak), Colonel Peel's Mr Waggs (b c 1833 Langar), Mr Wm Chifney's The Athenian (b c 1833 Partisan), the Duke of Richmond's Sepoy (br c 1833 Mulatto), Lord Chesterfield's Alfred (b c 1833 Partisan), Sir L Glynn's Recruit (ch c 1833 The Colonel) and 13 others. Won the  £550 Buckhurst Stakes at Ascot, beating Muezzin. Won the  £1150 Grand Duke Michael Stakes at Newmarket First October, beating Elis by a length. Won a 300gs match at Newmarket Houghton from Muezzin. This was his final race.
   

   
The Flying Dutchman br c 1846 (Bay Middleton - Barbelle, by Sandbeck). Sire Line Bay Middleton. Family 3-i.