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Hyperion (horse)

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Hyperion
SireGainsborough
GrandsireBayardo
DamSelene
DamsireChaucer
SexStallion
Foaled(1930-04-18)18 April 1930
Died9 December 1960(1960-12-09) (aged 30)
CountryUnited Kingdom
ColourChestnut
BreederEdward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby
OwnerEdward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby
TrainerGeorge Lambton
Record13: 9–1–2
Earnings£29,509
Major wins
New Stakes (1932)
Dewhurst Stakes (1932)
Prince of Wales's Stakes (1933)
Chester Vase (1933)
Epsom Derby (1933)
St Leger Stakes (1933)
Awards
Leading Sire in GB & Ireland
(1940, 1941, 1942, 1945, 1946, 1954)
Leading Broodmare Sire in Britain & Ireland
(1948, 1957, 1967, 1968)
Last updated on 1 September 2022

Hyperion (18 April 1930 – 9 December 1960) was a British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse, a dual classic winner, an outstanding sire, and considered to be one of the most important Thoroughbreds of the 20th century.[1]

Owned by Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Hyperion won GBP £29,509 during his racing career—a considerable sum at the time. His victories included the Epsom Derby and the St. Leger Stakes. He was the most successful British-bred sire of the 20th century and the champion sire in the UK six times between 1940 and 1954.[2]

History

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Hyperion was born on 18 April 1930.[3] He was by the good Thoroughbred sire Gainsborough, who was one of three wartime Triple Crown winners in the United Kingdom. His dam, Selene, was by Chaucer, a talented son of the undefeated St. Simon. Selene was also the dam of such good sires such as Sickle (GB) (sireline ancestor of Native Dancer and Sea Bird), Pharamond (US), and Hunter's Moon (GB). Hyperion was linebred 3x4 to St. Simon.

The colt was bred and owned by Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, who hired George Lambton to train him.

According to writer Avalyn Hunter on Hyperion's conformation: "[Hyperion was a] muscular, powerfully built chestnut horse...he was short-legged and long-bodied for his height [15.1 hands (61 inches, 155 cm)], and somewhat ewe-necked and straight-shouldered, but had excellent action. He was light-boned below the knee. Although he had a distinct personality, and could have a mind of his own, he had a calm disposition. He was a thoroughly lazy horse at work, which was unfortunate as he needed a good deal of training to get into top condition, but was a determined performer on the race course."[3]

Racing career

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As 2-year-old, in 1932, Hyperion won the New Stakes at Ascot and the Dewhurst Stakes, plus a dead-heat in the Prince of Wales Stakes, from five starts in 1932. He was undefeated in four starts. In 1933, as a 3-year-old, Hyperion went on to win the Chester Vase, the Epsom Derby, the Prince of Wales Stakes, and the St. Leger Stakes.[3]

He raced four times at the age of 4, winning two races, the March Stakes (ten furlongs) and the Burwell Stakes (showcase handicap), both contested at Newmarket. In his main race, the Ascot Gold Cup, he placed third, after Felicitation and Thor. The 2.5 mile race indicated that he was not a true stayer. In the Dullingham Stakes at Newmarket, only two horses started where the 3-year-old, Caithness, carrying 8 st. 1 lb. defeated Hyperion carrying 10 st. 2 lb. by a short head.

Stud record

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He was retired to stud when he was 5 years old. He was a highly successful sire until his death on 9 December 1960, at the age of 30.

An important stallion, he sired the winners of 752 races, including 53 stakes winners that had 84 stakes wins, and was the leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland for six times, counting amongst his progeny:[4]

Hyperion's daughters foaled the winners of 1,196 races and GBP £1,131,346. He was also the damsire of Nearctic, who in turn sired Northern Dancer, the 20th century's greatest sire. He is also the damsire of Citation, one of the greatest American champions.

In Australia and New Zealand, Hyperion's descendants have exerted a profound influence on the racing and breeding industry. This influence was introduced via Hyperion's foreign based sons and also by his imported sons, Empyrean [(GB) H, 1944], Helios [(GB) H, 1937], High Peak [(GB) H, 1942], Red Mars [(GB) H, 1941], and Ruthless [(GB) H, 1941], as well as paternal grandsons such as "Star King" (by Stardust (GB) H, 1937) later known as the outstanding sire, Star Kingdom.

Lord Derby commissioned equine artist Martin Stainforth to paint a portrait of Hyperion.

A lifesize statue modelled by John Skeaping in bronze of Hyperion stands at the front of the Jockey Club headquarters on Newmarket High Street. From 2009, his skeleton has been exhibited at the National Horseracing Museum (also in Newmarket), lent by the Animal Health Trust to replace the skeleton of Eclipse.[3][5]

When Hyperion died, Lord Derby and associates toasted him from a bottle of cognac that had been opened in honor of Winston Churchill, and drank to "The two greatest Grand Old Men of our time."[2]

Sire line tree

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Pedigree

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Pedigree of Hyperion (GB), chestnut stallion, 1930
Sire
Gainsborough
Bay 1915 		Bayardo
Bay 1906 		Bay Ronald Hampton
Black Duchess
Galicia Galopin*
Isoletta
Rosedrop
Br. 1907 		St Frusquin St Simon*
Isabel
Rosaline Trenton (NZ)
Rosalys
Dam
Selene
Bay 1919 		Chaucer
Brown 1900 		St Simon* Galopin*
St Angela*
Canterbury Pilgrim Tristan
Pilgrimage*
Serenissima
Bay 1913 		Minoru Cyllene
Mother Siegel
Gondolette Loved One*
Donogola (Family No. 6)

* Hyperion is inbred 4S x 3D to the stallion St Simon, meaning that he appears fourth generation on the sire side of his pedigree, and third generation on the dam side of his pedigree.

* Hyperion is inbred 4S x 5S x 4D to the stallion Galopin, meaning that he appears fourth generation and fifth generation (via St Simon) on the sire side of his pedigree, and fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree.

* Hyperion is inbred 4D x 5D to the mare Pilgrimage, meaning that she appears fourth generation and fifth generation (via Loved One) on the dam side of his pedigree.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Hyperion". Thoroughbred Heritage Portraits. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b Randall, John (23 August 1999). "John Randall on the 100 makers of 20th-century racing (Part 4)". The Racing Post. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d Hunter, Avalyn. "Hyperion". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Hyperion - SW progeny". Australian Stud Book. Australian Turf Club Limited and Victoria Racing Club Limited. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  5. ^ "Good Old Hyperion". National Horse Racing Museum. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  6. ^ Jumpers: Darley Arabian Sire Line
  7. ^ Sire Line: Camel
  8. ^ Darley Arabian Sire Line: Newminster Branch
  9. ^ Portrait: Hyperion
  10. ^ Biography: Hyperion
  11. ^ Hall of Fame: Hyperion
  12. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Hyperion
  13. ^ Portrait: Heliopolis
  14. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Heliopolis
  15. ^ Canadian Hall of Fame: Ace Marine
  16. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Olympia
  17. ^ Hall of Fame: Decathlon
  18. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Decathlon
  19. ^ Poley Wins San Antonio
  20. ^ Image: Cafe Prince
  21. ^ Hall of Fame: Cafe Prince
  22. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Cafe Prince
  23. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Top Bid
  24. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Greek Money
  25. ^ American Classic Pedigree: High Gun
  26. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Summer Tan
  27. ^ Wodalla Was Our First Cup Winner Since 1948
  28. ^ Hall of Fame: Ben Nevis
  29. ^ Portrait: Star Kingdom
  30. ^ Remembering Star Kingdom
  31. ^ The Star Kingdom Dynasty
  32. ^ Portrait: Kingster
  33. ^ Portrait: Todman
  34. ^ Australian Racing Museum: Todman
  35. ^ Scone Vet Dynasty: Todman
  36. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Autobiography
  37. ^ Portrait: Noholme
  38. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Noholme II
  39. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Nodouble
  40. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Shecky Greene
  41. ^ Portrait: Sky High
  42. ^ Australian Racing Museum: Sky High
  43. ^ Australian Racing Museum
  44. ^ 5 SHADES OF GREY RACEHORSES – GUNSYND
  45. ^ Portrait: Biscay
  46. ^ Scone Vet Dynasty: Biscay
  47. ^ Scone Vet Dynasty: Bletchingly
  48. ^ Scone Vet Dynasty: Marscay
  49. ^ Scone Vet Dynasty: Luskin Star
  50. ^ The ‘Colt from the Coalfields’ who remains a cult hero in his home town
  51. ^ Portrait: Alibhai
  52. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Alibhai
  53. ^ Hall of Fame: Kelso
  54. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Kelso
  55. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Determine
  56. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Warfare
  57. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Assagai
  58. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Decidedly
  59. ^ Bardstown: The Persistent Prodigy
  60. ^ The Keeneland Library: Bardstown
  61. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Traffic Judge
  62. ^ Push to Get Show Jumper Branch County Into Hall of Fame
  63. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Deputed Testamony
  64. ^ Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame: Deputed Testamony
  65. ^ Preakness memories: Deputed Testamony boosted Catholic family’s racing business, teen jockey’s career
  66. ^ Maryland Catholic family recalls horse that boosted its livelihood, teen jockey’s career in ‘83 Preakness
  67. ^ Legendary trainer Bill Boniface reflects on training last Maryland-bred horse to win Preakness
  68. ^ Portrait: Owen Tudor
  69. ^ Although never a champion sire, Owen Tudor was the sire of champions
  70. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Tudor Minstrel
  71. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Crocket
  72. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Tomy Lee
  73. ^ Image: Right Royal
  74. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Selim Hassan
  75. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Yatasto
  76. ^ Sundew Inks a Spectacular Win in the 1957 Grand National
  77. ^ Portrait: Pensive
  78. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Pensive
  79. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Ponder
  80. ^ The Keeneland Library: Ponder
  81. ^ Hall of Fame: Needles
  82. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Needles
  83. ^ How Scottish trained 2000 Guineas winner Rockavon earned his status as a Scottish sporting great
  84. ^ Portrait: Gulf Stream
  85. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Gulf Stream
  86. ^ Portrait: Khaled
  87. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Khaled
  88. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Sherluck
  89. ^ Hall of Fame: Swaps
  90. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Swaps
  91. ^ Swaps: The Legendary Thoroughbred Who Redefined Horse Racing
  92. ^ Swaps: 1956 Horse of the Year
  93. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Chateaugay
  94. ^ American Classic Pedigree: No Robbery
  95. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Laramie Trail
  96. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Aristiphanes
  97. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Forli
  98. ^ Hall of Fame: Forego
  99. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Forego
  100. ^ Forego May be Most Remarkable Horse Ever
  101. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Thatch
  102. ^ Portrait: Aureole
  103. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Vaguely Noble
  104. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Noble Bijou
  105. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Empery
  106. ^ Hall of Fame: Exceller
  107. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Exceller
  108. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Lemhi Gold
  109. ^ Hall of Fame: Gun Bow
  110. ^ American Classic Pedigree: Gun Bow
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