Janus (horse)
18th-century British Thoroughbred racehorse From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Janus (1746–1780),[1] also known as Little Janus, Young Janus, and Janus II, was an English Thoroughbred stallion imported to Colonial America, which would later become the United States.[2] Noted for his quickness and compact conformation, he has subsequently been acknowledged as a foundation sire of the American Quarter Horse.[3]
| Janus | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Janus I ("Old Janus") |
| Grandsire | Godolphin Arabian |
| Dam | Fox Mare |
| Damsire | Fox |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1746 |
| Country | |
| Breeder | Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin |
| Owner |
|
| Last updated on 27 August 2023 | |
Background
Bred by Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin, Janus was foaled in England in 1746. He was a grandson of the Godolphin Arabian, and like his grandsire, was chestnut in color.[4] Subsequently, owned by Anthony Langley Swymmer, a founding member of the Jockey Club and an English MP.[5] He raced under various names including Little Janus and Stiff Dick. His English racing career took place between 1750 and 1752. Janus won twice at 4 miles and was retired due to injury. Janus was sold to George Grisewood, a horse breeder and turf enthusiast.[6]
Life in America
After becoming lame, Janus was imported to Virginia Colony by Mordecai Booth in 1752,[7] and resold to Mildred Willis.[8]
Janus was able to fully recover and went on to race again.[9] He won races in Virginia and North Carolina.[10] Janus was compact, standing just over 14 hands (56 inches, 142 cm), yet large boned with powerful hindquarters.[11][12][13]
In late 1771 or early 1772 he was sold to Jeptha Atherton and was moved to North Carolina.[14][15] In 1773 he was at stud at what would later become Northampton Courthouse, in Jackson, North Carolina.[16][17]
Janus died in 1780, aged 34. His offspring included Celer, foaled in 1774, and Spadille.[18]
Manly Wade Wellman wrote a fictionalized account of the life of Janus.[19]
Sire line tree
References
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.