Parasol

Parasol (1800–1826) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. In total she won twenty of her thirty-five races, including two Newmarket First October King's Plates, the Jockey-Club Plate and a match race against Derby winner Cardinal Beaufort. Her only race away from Newmarket was for her début, in the Oaks Stakes in 1803. She was bred and owned by Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton. As a broodmare she foaled the stallion Partisan, 2000 Guineas winner Pindarrie and Pastille, who won both the 2000 Guineas and the Oaks. Background Parasol was a bay filly bred by Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, and foaled in 1800. She was sired by the successful racehorse Pot-8-Os. Pot-8-Os won many races including the 1200 Guineas Stakes and Craven Stakes. He later became a top sire, with his progeny including the three Derby winners Waxy, Champion and Tyrant. Parasol's dam was the leading broodmare Prunella, a daughter of the undefeated Highflyer. Prunella foaled the Oaks winner Pelisse and Derby winner Pope. She also produced the top broodmares Penelope, Pledge, Pawn, Pope Joan and Prudence. Parasol was Prunella's third foal. Racing career 1803: Three-year-old season Parasol made her first appearance on the track at Epsom Downs in the Oaks Stakes on 27 May, when she started as the 2/1 favourite. The race was won by Theophania, with a sister to Allegranti in second and Parasol in third place. At Newmarket's July meeting she won the Town Plate from Rumbo and two others. In October she was due to face three horses in a 100 guineas Sweepstakes at Newmarket, but all three paid a forfeit and the race never took place. The next day she won a race for One-third of a Subscription of 25 guineas each, beating four rivals. At the Second October meeting she beat the colt Orlando to win a £50 Subscription Plate. At the Third October meeting Parasol was due to face the filly Elizabeth in a match race, but Elizabeth was withdrawn.