Musket's Pedigree and Career

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 55, 17 October 1885, Page 2

Musket's Pedigree and Career

Musket was bred in England by the late L<;rd Glasgow in 1876, so that at its death he was 18 years old. He was by Toxophilite, out of a mare by West. Australian, out of Brown Bess, by Camel ; and while on the English turf was one of the most brilliant performers of his day, being, during his turf career, the property of Mr Payne, to. whom he was bequeathed by his noble breeder. He was, unfortunately, not entered for the Derby of his year (won by Kingcraft) ; had he been, it is generally believed he would have added that race to his other victories. After running once or twice unsuccessfully as a two-year old in 1869, he came out in 1870, and won seven races out of eight, including the Ascot Stakes, Queen's Plates at Worcester and Shrewsbury, the Severn Cup, and the Great Midland Counties Handicap at Warwick. In some of these races he beat such horses as Dutch Skater, Blue Gown, Sornette, and Cardinal York, all noted winners. As a four -year old he ran twice, being beaten by Bosicrucian, after a splendid race in the Alexandra Plate, at Ascot, and winning the Midland Counties Handicap at Warwick a second time. His last performance in 1872 was probably his most brilliant, as he carried 9st 61b, and won the Alexandra Plate at Ascot, 3 miles beating Albert Victor (second in the Derby), Agility (winner of the Oaks), Favonius (winner of the Derby), and other celebrated animals. The victory of his son Petronel, in the Two Thousand Guineas of 1 880, greatly increased his value, and as he was fortunate enough to secure such mates as Sylvia and Onyx, for whom his owners gave 3000 guineas in Australia, it is only a due return of their enterprise that he has been bo successful. Musket's fee for the . present season was 50 guineas. His loss to the company is estimated at £10,000.