Sceptre

Statistically, Sceptre's record in terms of Classics won is the greatest.

Sceptre in 1902 performed the phenomenal feat of winning the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks, St.Leger and the 2,000 Guineas and almost won the Epsom Derby.

Sceptre was exceptionally well bred. She was by Epsom Derby winner, Persimmon, out of Ornament, a sister to the 1886 maestro Ormonde (Triple Crown Winner). Sceptre was bred by the Duke of Westminster, who unfortunately died in 1899. John Porter who was so close to the Duke's Family, was keen that the Junior Duke could purchase the filly, however a former bankrupt Bob Sievier made a bid of 10,000 Guineas and purchased the filly. Sceptre was sent for training at Charlie Morton's yard at Wanrage.

Sceptre won 2 starts out of 3 as a 2 year old. She triumphed in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom and the July Stakes at Newmarket. In the Champagne Stakes, she failed, arrived third.

In Autumn, Morton accepted an offer to become private trainer to Mr. J.B.Joel, where upon Sievier trained his own horses.

In 1902, Sceptre was given a most demanding schedule. In the Lincolnshire Handicap, at Doncaster she faced a narrow defeat, being caught in the last stride by a head.She had been ridden most incompetently. She was also off her feed on her arrival at Doncaster having being subjected to a rigorous schedule by Sievier's American assistant who galloped the colt flat out over a mile for four successive days.

In both, the 1,000 Guineas and 2000 Guineas, she won in a canter. In the 1,000 Guineas, she broke the record timing winning in 1:39 secs. She simply turned the classics into a procession, which she led like an empress.

She bruised a foot before the Epsom Derby and her training schedule was affected. Sadly, she finished 4th as a result of poor riding jockey Randall gave her a hopeless start and giving her too much to do, however, in the Oaks two days later, she crucified her rivals.

In the Grand Prix de Paris, history repeated itself with Randal riding a pathetic race, giving no one the outside and Sceptre finished unplaced.

In the Coronation Stakes, a repetition of the Derby took place again and jockey Randall was sacked. The next day ridden by Hardy Sceptre triumphed.

She was rested till the Sussex Stakes where she blew up.Two days later, she won the Nassau Stakes in a canter. In the St. Leger, Sceptre cantered home but she was again beaten in the Park Hill Stakes.

Sievier was in deep financial trouble and wanted to sell the filly. He was unsuccessful and the next Spring again trained her for the Lincoln. Sceptre only finished 5th carrying 9st 5lb.Sieiver sold his filly to Sir William Bass for 25,000 Guineas.

Sceptre now came into the hands of Alec Taylor. Taylor trained her to win the Hardwicke Stakes, however in the Eclipse Stakes, Ard Patrick the previous year's Epsom Derby winner, beat her by a neck. That event was a classic race as the Triple Crown winner Rock Sand also participated. Sceptre went on to win the Jockey Club Stakes, Duke of York Stakes, Champion Stakes and Limekiln Stakes.

She stayed in training at five, but did not win again, though she did run second in the Coronation Cup and third in the Ascot Gold Cup.

On retiring to stud, she produced one colt (Grosvenor) and seven fillies. On the track none was a champion but Maid of Mist, her progeny built a powerful bloodline.

Maid of the Mist, was the best of Sceptre's produce, won three races, Maid of Corinth won two races and ran second in the 1,000 Guineas.Coronation won some races in Italy, Queen Carbine won one race, and Grosvenor another one race. Curia failed to win, and Queen Empress never ran.

Maid of the Mist became the dam of two classic winners, Craig an Eran (2,000 Guineas) and Sunny Jane (1917 Oaks). Craig an Eran also ran a good second to the ill-fated Humorist in the 1921 Derby Stakes.

Sceptre, although she faced defeats carved a niche for herself amongst racing's greats of the last Century. Her feat of winning 4 classics will probably never be equaled in Racing History.

Officially she is rated at 135 (same rating given to Dahlia and Pebbles, but Sceptre has been ranked above them) by the Racing Post Handicap, being ranked as the 3rd best filly of the last Century behind Pretty Polly, Allez France and Sun Chariot. She is even ranked above Pebbles and Dahlia.

Sceptre 1899	Persimmon	St.Simon	Galopin
			St.Angela
		Perdita II	Hampton
			Hermione
	Ornament	Bend Or	Doncaster
			Rouge Rose
		Lily Agnes	Macaroni
			Polly Agnes