Voltaire (GB)
 
 


Courtesy of Richard Green

 

 

Sire Line


Blacklock


Whitelock


Hambletonian


King Fergus

 

 Voltaire br c 1826 (Blacklock - Mare, by Phantom). Sire Line King Fergus. Family 12-a.

Bred in Durham by Robert Stephenson at Hart, Hartlepool, who also bred his son Voltigeur, he was described as a "fine barrelled horse, a little bit peacocky," although he was "suspected to be a bit of a coward." He was purchased by William Henry Vane (1766-1842), 1st Marquess and later Duke of Cleveland, immediately following his second win as a two year old. Running for Lord Cleveland he won two of his next three races easily, including the Doncaster Gold Cup, losing the St Leger to Rowton (ch c 1826 Oiseau) only by a neck whilst vanquishing Sir Hercules (bl c 1826 Whalebone) and sixteen others. Having hit his leg in the Gold Cup and unable to stand subsequent training he retired to the stud. His Grace also bred or owned, among others, the Derby winner Whisker b c 1812 Waxy), the St Leger winners Chorister (b c 1828 Lottery) and Memnon (b c 1822 Whisker), and the Doncaster Stakes winner Muley Moloch (br c 1830 Muley).

In the stud Voltaire got a number of stallion sons including Barnton (b c 1844), Picaroon (br c 1835) and Henriade (br c 1834), the latter successful in Russia. In Ireland he had Craven Stakes winner The Dean (br c 1836) and Tearaway (b c 1838). His classic winner Charles the Twelfth (br c 1836) won the St Leger, Doncaster Cup and Goodwood Cup (twice). Without doubt his most important son was Voltigeur (br c 1847) who got the Two Thousand Guineas winner Vedette (br 1854) who in turn sired Galopin (br 1872) who got the legendary St. Simon (br 1881).

Voltaire died in April of 1848.

Pedigree
Voltaire Blacklock Whitelock Hambletonian
Rosalind
Coriander Mare Coriander
Wildgoose
Phantom Mare Phantom Walton
Julia
Overton Mare Overton
Walnut Mare
Race Record

In 1828 running for Mr Stephenson he won the 20 sovs each Richmond Club Stakes for yearling colts at Catterick Bridge in April (6 subscribers). Won the 25 sovs each Tyro Stakes for two year olds at Newcastle in July, beating Mr Riddell's Zodiac (ch c 1826 Centaur), Sir E Dodsworth's colt (b c 1826 St. Patrick) and, unplaced, Mr Attwood's Panope (br f 1826 Abjer), Mr Kay's colt (b c 1826 Whisker) and Mr Golden's Sontag (ch f 1826 Whisker).

In 1829 running for Lord Cleveland he won the 50 sovs each Shorts Sweepstakes at York in May, beating Mr T O Powlett's Penhill (br c 1826 Jack Spigot), and, unplaced, Mr Earnshaw's Elastic (br f 1826 Waverley), Lord Scarborough's Melrose (ch f 1826 Pilgarlic) and Mr Ridsdale's Donation (b f 1826 Borodino). Finished 2nd for the 25 sovs each Great St Leger Stakes at Doncaster, won by Mr Petre's Rowton (ch c 1826 Oiseau), beating Lord Langford's Sir Hercules (bl c 1826 Whalebone) and 16 others, including Lord Worcester's Felt (b c 1826 Langar), Mr Ridsdale's Clotilde (b f 1826 Tramp), Mr Gratwicke's Frederick (b c 1826 Little John) Mr Theobald's The Exquisite (gr c 1826 Whalebone), Mr Robinson's Bolivar (ch c 1826 Blacklock), Lord Cleveland's Stotforth (b c 1826 Octavian) and Lord Kelburne's Retriever (br c 1826 Smolensko). Walked over for the 100 sovs each Gascoigne Stakes at the same meeting; 10 subscribers. Won the Doncaster Gold Cup at the same meeting, beating Major Yarburgh's Laurel (b c 1824 Blacklock), Mr D Radcliffe's Fleur-de-Lis (b f 1822 Bourbon), and, unplaced, Lord Milton's Medoro (b c 1824 Cervantes), Lord Scarborough's Cistercian (br c 1826 Catton) and Mr Petre's Granby (ch c 1824 Interpreter).
 
Notable Voltaire Mares
 
1. La Belle (f 1833), bred by Mr Lee, dam of the Ebor Handicap winner Meaux (b c 1844 Liverpool Junior). Family 17-a.
2. Valentine (br f 1833), dam of the Doncaster Cup and Queen Anne Stakes winner War Eagle (br c 1844 Lanercost). Family 12-a.
3. Lollypop (bl f 1836 by Starch or Voltaire), dam of the Doncaster Cup and Queen's Vase winner Sweetmeat (br c 1842 Gladiator) and ancestress of Belmont Stakes winner Hastings (br c 1893 Spendthrift) and Kentucky Derby winner Plaudit (br c 1895 Himyar). Family 21-a.
4. Yorkshire Lady (br f 1839), won the Stewards' Cup. Family 19.
5. Betsy Bird (b f 1840), dam of the Manchester Cup winner The Black Doctor (bl c 1848 The Doctor). Family 24.
6. Semiseria (br f 1840), dam of the Gimcrack Stakes and Queen's Vase winner Mildew (ch c 1847 Slane). Family 23-a.
7. Merope (b f 1841), 2nd dam of Two Thousand Guineas winner Moslem (b c 1865 Knight of St Patrick) and Derby winner Galopin (b c 1872 Vedette), the latter the sire of St. Simon (br c 1881). Family 3-i.
8. Extravaganza (b f 1842), dam of Mr Parker's Chester Cup winner One Act (b f 1853 Annandale). Family 23-a.
9. Azora (b f 1843), 2nd dam of One Thousand Guineas winner Siberia (br f 1862 Muscovite) and Cambridgeshire winner Vestminster (br c 1866 Glenmasson), 3rd dam of Two Thousand Guineas winner Vauban (br c 1864 Muscovite), One Thousand Guineas winner Cecilia (b f 1870 Blair Athol) and Cesarewitch winner Duke of Parma (br c 1872 The Duke). Family 2.
10. Prussic Acid (b f 1843), won the Queen Anne Stakes. Family 12.
11. Volley (b f 1845), 2nd dam of Stewards' Cup winner Lady Clifden (b c 1860 Surplice), St Leger winner Lord Clifden (b c 1860 Newminster) and Two Thousand Guineas winner Camballo (b c 1872 Cambuscan). Family 2-h.
12. Sacrifice (br f 1847), 3rd dam of One Thousand Guineas and Oaks winner Thebais (ch f 1878 Hermit). Family 4-l.
13. Vivandiere (br f 1848), winner of the Yorkshire Oaks, dam of Coronation and Nassau Stakes winner Cantine (br f 1856 Orlando) and Provision (b f 1857 Orlando), 2nd dam of Cesarewitch and Goodwood Cup winner Aventuriere (b f 1871 Adventurer), 3rd dam of St Leger winner Dutch Oven (br f 1879 Dutch skater) . Family 2-h.
   
   
Charles the Twelfth (GB) br c 1836 (Voltaire - Wagtail, by Prime Minister). Sire Line King Fergus. Family 21-a.
   
Voltigeur (GB) br c 1847 (Voltaire - Martha Lynn, by Mulatto). Sire Line King Fergus. Family 2-h.