Half Caste (horse)
| Half Caste | |
|---|---|
″Half Caste with C. Green up″ (anonymous but possibly after Henry Barraud who painted Half Caste in 1859)
|
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| Sire | Morgan Rattler |
| Grandsire | Velocipede |
| Dam | Beiram mare |
| Damsire | Beiram |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1853 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Colour | Brown |
| Breeder | Mr. W. Marris |
| Owner |
|
| Trainer | Chris Green |
| Major wins | |
| Grand National (1859) | |
Half Caste was a British racehorse who won the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree in 1859, against a field of twenty horses. The race was very closely run and Half Caste won by only a short neck from Jean Du Quesne.
According to George Edwin Collins, "Nimrod junior", in his 1902 book "History of the Brocklesby hounds, 1700-1901", Half Caste was bred by Mr. W. Marris (of Limber, Lincolnshire) and was then purchased by Mr. F. E. Epworth (of Great Coates, Lincolnshire) - both members of the Brocklesbury Hunt - who sold him on to Samuel Brisco Sheward, the leading society horsedealer from 43a Green Street, Mayfair, London. The General Stud Book confirms he had been foaled in 1853 by Morgan Rattler, dam by Beiram, by W. Marris.
John Gerard Leigh′s obituary states that Half Caste was one of the first two steeplechasers he had owned, and was bought by him for 500 Guineas (£500) from Samuel Brisco Sheward, described as his ′fidus Achates′ (faithful friend), who was his normal supplier of horses and represented him officially for racing purposes. John Gerard Leigh of Luton Hoo was a major (but very discreet at the time) steeplechaser owner.
He was entered in the 1859 Grand National under the name of Mr Willoughby, a nom de course of John Gerard Leigh, and was ridden by his trainer Chris Green. The Era reported that Half Caste looked "wonderfully fit" and had "improved immensely under Green's management" at the parade. The Morning Post, though, thought that the gelding "was not very taking in his appearance" but noted he was the only horse to have escaped from an outbreak of (equine) influenza that had swept through Chris Green's stable.
The race saw one of the closest finishes to a National in history with only ten lengths separating the first six horses to finish. Half Caste beat French raider, Jean Du Quesne, by a short neck, winning in a time of 10 minutes 2 seconds, and The Huntsman finished third. Half Caste only competed in the Grand National once but The Huntsman went on to win the race himself in 1862.
Half Caste is officially recorded as having started as the 7/1 second favourite for the race, but according to some contemporary newspaper reports, for instance The Era, he was listed as starting at 100/15.
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