Barefoot

Barefoot (1820–1840) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire best known for winning a chaotic and controversial race for the classic St Leger Stakes in 1823. Bred and originally trained in Yorkshire, Barefoot was beaten on his debut but began a seven race winning sequence when successful in a minor race at Pontefract in September 1822. As a three-year-old he was unbeaten in five starts including the Spring St Leger at York and the Great St Leger at Doncaster. In the latter event, he finished second in a race which was declared void after a false start before winning a re-run. Barefoot was later sold to William Vane, 1st Duke of Cleveland and competed for three further seasons with mixed results, his best efforts being wins in the Lancaster Gold Cups of 1825 and 1826. After his retirement from racing he was exported to the United States where he had limited success as a sire of winners before dying as a result of a snake bite in 1840. Background Barefoot was a chestnut horse with a white star and snip bred by George Crompton in Yorkshire. He was described as standing 15.2 hands high, and being powerful, muscular, active and high-spirited. He was sired by Tramp, who won several important races in 1813 and 1814 and went on to become a very successful stallion, siring other important winners including The Derby winners St. Giles and Dangerous. Barefoot began his racing career in the ownership of Crompton's associate Richard Watt of Bishop Burton Racing career 1822: two-year-old season Barefoot made his racecourse debut on 14 May at York Racecourse. He started 8/11 favourite for a sweepstakes in which he finished second to Mr Orde Powlett's filly Miss Fanny. Barefoot did not appear again until 5 September when he ran in a seven furlong sweepstakes at Pontefract Racecourse. Ridden by J Garbutt, he won the race from Sir W. Milner's colt Harpooner.