King Fergus (1775–1801) was a Great Britain Thoroughbred horseracing. He won several races, but achieved greater success as a sire. He was British Champion sire in 1797 and his progeny included St Leger Stakes winner Hambletonian, who was only defeated once in his 19 race career.
In 1780, on the Monday of Newmarket's second spring meeting, he beat Sir John Lade's Knight Errant. Two days later at Newmarket he raced against Dorimant and Potoooooooo in a 140 guineas race. King Fergus was leading as they passed the stands, but cast a shoe. Pot-8-Os won, with King Fergus in second place. In May 1780, at Epsom, he won a £50 race comprising three four-mile heats. He beat Epsom, Jugurtha, Don Joseph, Chance, Neptune, Holyhock and Foppington, with King Fergus starting as the favourite (priced at about 8/11). In October he beat the Duke of Cumberland's Pomona of three miles to win 200 guineas. Later in the month he beat Lord Derby's Guildford (who had started as the 1/2 favourite) to win 200 guineas. Two days later he beat five rivals to win a subscription stakes of five guineas each. Lord Grosvenor's Truth had started as the 4/6 favourite, with King Fergus at 7/4.
King Fergus started the 1781 season at the first spring meeting at Newmarket, where he beat Whizgig, Prince Ferdinand, Young Tantrum, Little Isaac, Knight Errant and Tantini to win £50. Whizgig had started as the 6/4 favourite, with King Fergus at 2/1. At the same meeting he walked over for another £50. He later broke down and was retired from racing.
His final race came in 1784, when he was put back into training. He finished second to Chocolate in the Lord Lieutenant's Purse at the Curragh.
He served very few mares in Ireland and his most notable son he produced there was Honest Tom, who won 24 races. In England King Fergus sired many top horses and was British Champion sire in 1797. He died in 1801.
Foaled | Name | Sex | Major Wins |
1785 | Honest Tom | s | |
1788 | Overton | s | Doncaster Cup |
1788 | Young Traveller | s | St Leger Stakes, Doncaster Cup |
1789 | Ormond | s | 5yo Great Subscription Purse, 6yo+ Great Subscription Purse |
1791 | Beningbrough | s | St Leger Stakes, Doncaster Cup |
1792 | Hambletonian | s | St Leger Stakes, Doncaster Cup (twice) |
1794 | Warter | s | Lichfield King's Plate, Burford King's Plate, Guildford King's Plate |
King Fergus was the damsire to Epsom Oaks winner Scotia. His son Overton was the sire of St Leger and Doncaster Cup winner Cockfighter. Beningbrough produced St Leger and Doncaster Cup winner Orville, Doncaster Cup winner Scud, Epsom Oaks and 4yo Great Subscription Purse winner Oriana, Epsom Oaks winner Briseis and another Doncaster Cup winner Trophonius. Hambletonian sired Doncaster Cup winner Camillus. It is through Hambletonian's son Whitelock that King Fergus' sire line continues. Whitelock was the sire of Blacklock, who was the grandsire of Epsom Derby winner Voltigeur.
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