Bonnie Scotland (GB)
1853 – February 1, 1880
Iago (GB) x Queen Mary (GB), by Gladiator (GB)
Family 10-a
1853 – February 1, 1880
Iago (GB) x Queen Mary (GB), by Gladiator (GB)
Family 10-a
A contemporary of the great American sire Lexington, Bonnie Scotland proved a good but not stellar racehorse during a brief career in England. Exported to the United States after a single season at stud in England, he started getting winners right away but did not make a great name for himself as a stallion until he was already old. He finished his days as the premier stallion at General William G, Harding's Belle Meade Stud and founded an American sire line that persisted well into the 20th century.
Race record
4 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
1856:
As an individual
A bay horse, Bonnie Scotland was said to have been a well-made, attractive individual. As described by the expert turfman Henry W. Herbert: "He stands a full 16 hands high, he has the longest shoulder, deepest heart-place, best forehand, shortest saddle-place, and the most powerful quarters of any horse now before the public." He broke down while winning the Doncaster Stakes, ending his racing career.
As a stallion
Bonnie Scotland led the American general sire list in 1880 and 1882 and was runner-up in 1868 and 1871; he was also third in 1879. His progeny were known for good looks, balance, and overall soundness. Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 credits him with 21 stakes winners.
Notable progeny
Bramble (USA), George Kinney (USA), Glidelia (USA), Luke Blackburn (USA)
Connections
Bonnie Scotland was bred by Mr. William l'Anson. Poorly patronized during his one stud season in England, he was sold to Eugene Leigh and imported to the USA by Captain Cornish in 1857. He stood at John Reeber's Fashion Stud in Ohio in 1858-1867, moved to Kentucky for 1868, and then stood in Illinois for the remainder of 1868 and all of 1869-1872. He gained the bulk of his reputation after being purchased by General W. G. Harding and sent to his Belle Meade Stud near Nashville, Tennessee, in 1873. Bonnie Scotland died at Belle Meade on February 1, 1880.
Pedigree notes
Bonnie Scotland is inbred 3x5 to 1814 English champion sire Selim, 4x5x4 to 1810 Derby Stakes winner and two-time English champion sire Whalebone and 5x5x5 to 1787 Derby Stakes winner and 10-time English champion sire Sir Peter Teazle. He is a half brother to the great filly Blink Bonny (by Melbourne), winner of the 1857 Derby Stakes and Oaks Stakes and the dam of 1864 Derby Stakes and St. Leger Stakes winner and four-time English champion sire Blair Athol (by Stockwell). He is also a half brother to Haricot (by Lanercost), a tough staying mare who won the Manchester Cup and produced 1861 St. Leger Stakes winner Caller Ou (by Stockwell), to Doncaster Stakes winner Balrownie (by Annandale); to 1866 Gimcrack Stakes winner Blinkhoolie (by Rataplan), who proved a notable stayer later in his career and had some influence as a sire in spite of dying young; and to stakes winner Braxey (by Moss Trooper) and Broomielaw (by Stockwell). Bonnie Scotland is also a half brother to Bonnie Doon, whose daughters wielded significant influence in North America.
Bonnie Scotland was sired by the good stakes winner Iago out of the great English foundation mare Queen Mary, a daughter of 1836 Derby Stakes runner-up and influential sire Gladiator. Queen Mary was produced from an unnamed daughter of 1834 Derby Stakes winner Plentipotentiary, who in turn was produced from the Whalebone mare Myrrha.
Fun facts
Last updated: May 1, 2021
Race record
4 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
1856:
- Won Doncaster Stakes (ENG, 12FT, Doncaster)
- Won Liverpool St. Leger (ENG, Liverpool)
- 2nd St. Leger Stakes (ENG, 14f+132yT, Doncaster; dead heat with Artillery)
As an individual
A bay horse, Bonnie Scotland was said to have been a well-made, attractive individual. As described by the expert turfman Henry W. Herbert: "He stands a full 16 hands high, he has the longest shoulder, deepest heart-place, best forehand, shortest saddle-place, and the most powerful quarters of any horse now before the public." He broke down while winning the Doncaster Stakes, ending his racing career.
As a stallion
Bonnie Scotland led the American general sire list in 1880 and 1882 and was runner-up in 1868 and 1871; he was also third in 1879. His progeny were known for good looks, balance, and overall soundness. Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 credits him with 21 stakes winners.
Notable progeny
Bramble (USA), George Kinney (USA), Glidelia (USA), Luke Blackburn (USA)
Connections
Bonnie Scotland was bred by Mr. William l'Anson. Poorly patronized during his one stud season in England, he was sold to Eugene Leigh and imported to the USA by Captain Cornish in 1857. He stood at John Reeber's Fashion Stud in Ohio in 1858-1867, moved to Kentucky for 1868, and then stood in Illinois for the remainder of 1868 and all of 1869-1872. He gained the bulk of his reputation after being purchased by General W. G. Harding and sent to his Belle Meade Stud near Nashville, Tennessee, in 1873. Bonnie Scotland died at Belle Meade on February 1, 1880.
Pedigree notes
Bonnie Scotland is inbred 3x5 to 1814 English champion sire Selim, 4x5x4 to 1810 Derby Stakes winner and two-time English champion sire Whalebone and 5x5x5 to 1787 Derby Stakes winner and 10-time English champion sire Sir Peter Teazle. He is a half brother to the great filly Blink Bonny (by Melbourne), winner of the 1857 Derby Stakes and Oaks Stakes and the dam of 1864 Derby Stakes and St. Leger Stakes winner and four-time English champion sire Blair Athol (by Stockwell). He is also a half brother to Haricot (by Lanercost), a tough staying mare who won the Manchester Cup and produced 1861 St. Leger Stakes winner Caller Ou (by Stockwell), to Doncaster Stakes winner Balrownie (by Annandale); to 1866 Gimcrack Stakes winner Blinkhoolie (by Rataplan), who proved a notable stayer later in his career and had some influence as a sire in spite of dying young; and to stakes winner Braxey (by Moss Trooper) and Broomielaw (by Stockwell). Bonnie Scotland is also a half brother to Bonnie Doon, whose daughters wielded significant influence in North America.
Bonnie Scotland was sired by the good stakes winner Iago out of the great English foundation mare Queen Mary, a daughter of 1836 Derby Stakes runner-up and influential sire Gladiator. Queen Mary was produced from an unnamed daughter of 1834 Derby Stakes winner Plentipotentiary, who in turn was produced from the Whalebone mare Myrrha.
Fun facts
- After Bonnie Scotland's death, General Harding donated the horse's skeleton to Vanderbilt University.
Last updated: May 1, 2021