Brigadier Gerard (1968 - 1989) was one of the best and most popular British Thoroughbred race horses of the 20th century winning 17 of his 18 races.
Bred by John Hislop in England and foaled 5 March 1968, Brigadier Gerard was a son of the modest stallion Queen's Hussar and the non-winning mare La Paiva, a daughter of Prince Chevalier. On his female side he traced back to the brilliant fillies' Triple Crown winner Pretty Polly. This beautifully ba...
more
Brigadier Gerard (1968 - 1989) was one of the best and most popular British Thoroughbred race horses of the 20th century winning 17 of his 18 races.
Bred by John Hislop in England and foaled 5 March 1968, Brigadier Gerard was a son of the modest stallion Queen's Hussar and the non-winning mare La Paiva, a daughter of Prince Chevalier. On his female side he traced back to the brilliant fillies' Triple Crown winner Pretty Polly. This beautifully balanced bay colt was named after Arthur Conan Doyle's swashbuckling hero. He was trained during his racing career by Major Dick Hern and ridden in all his races by Joe Mercer.
His first race was in the Berkshire Stakes at Newbury in late June 1970 which, starting at 100/7 the joint outsider of the five runners, he won by five lengths. Brigadier Gerard finished his first season unbeaten in four races including the prestigious Middle Park Stakes. Even so he was rated below the more experienced My Swallow (unbeaten in seven races) and Mill Reef ...
less
