Billet (GB)
1865 – January 17, 1889
Voltigeur (GB) x Calcutta (GB), by Flatcatcher (GB)
Family 2
1865 – January 17, 1889
Voltigeur (GB) x Calcutta (GB), by Flatcatcher (GB)
Family 2
Hard-raced as a juvenile, Billet managed to win a decent race in the Zetland Stakes early in the season but did not progress from that and spent most of his career in selling races, running sometimes in selling stakes (of which he won three) but sometimes for price tags as low as the equivalent of US$200. Sent to the United States for stud duty, he gained some attention for himself by winning a stallion class at the Great St. Louis Fair. Some of his progeny also won classes at the same event, and they also started winning races, eventually bringing him to the attention of Colonel Ezekiel Clay and Colonel Catesby Woodford. After his purchase by those worthies, Billet had access to better mares and took advantage of his opportunities. He led the American general sire list in 1883 and sired one of the immortals of the turf in National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame member Miss Woodford, as well as a worthy successor in Sir Dixon.
Race record
18 starts, 5 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third
1867:
As an individual
A brown horse, Billet fell lame at the end of his busy 2-year-old season and never fully recovered. He made only one unplaced start at 3.
As a stallion
Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 credits Billet with 26 stakes winners.
Sire rankings
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Notable progeny
Belle of Runnymede (USA), Millie (USA), Miss Hawkins (USA), Miss Woodford (USA), Newton (USA), Pure Rye (USA), Raceland (USA), Runnymede (USA), Sir Dixon (USA)
Connections
Bred by James Smith, Billet was sold to A. H. Thompson following his juvenile season. Following the colt's failed attempt at coming back from lameness at 3, Thompson imported him to the United States via New York and sold him to Samuel Powers, who stood the young horse in partnership with a Mr. Jones at Powers' farm near Decatur, Illinois. In 1877, Colonel Ezekiel Clay, Colonel Catesby Woodford and their financial backer, George Bowen, purchased Billet for US$5,000 and moved him to Clay and Woodford's Runnymede Stud, standing the stallion as the property of George Bowen & Co. beginning in 1878. Bowen sold out his share in Billet and Runnymede in 1883, and the horse stood afterward as the property of Clay and Woodford until his death in January 1889.
Pedigree notes
Billet is inbred 4x4 to 1815 St. Leger Stakes winner Filho da Puta and 5x5 to two-time English champion sire Walton. He is a full brother to Bivouac, who won the 1860 Ebor St. Leger among other races. His sire, Voltigeur, won the 1850 Derby Stakes and St. Leger Stakes as well as a memorable edition of the Doncaster Cup against 4-year-old The Flying Dutchman. His dam, Calcutta, was sired by 1848 Two Thousand Guineas winner and Derby Stakes runner-up Flatcatcher, a son of 1834 St. Leger Stakes winner and four-time English champion sire Touchstone.
Fun facts
Last updated: November 11, 2020
Race record
18 starts, 5 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third
1867:
- Won Zetland Stakes (ENG, 5F+144yT, Newmarket)
As an individual
A brown horse, Billet fell lame at the end of his busy 2-year-old season and never fully recovered. He made only one unplaced start at 3.
As a stallion
Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 credits Billet with 26 stakes winners.
Sire rankings
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the American general sire list in 1883.
Notable progeny
Belle of Runnymede (USA), Millie (USA), Miss Hawkins (USA), Miss Woodford (USA), Newton (USA), Pure Rye (USA), Raceland (USA), Runnymede (USA), Sir Dixon (USA)
Connections
Bred by James Smith, Billet was sold to A. H. Thompson following his juvenile season. Following the colt's failed attempt at coming back from lameness at 3, Thompson imported him to the United States via New York and sold him to Samuel Powers, who stood the young horse in partnership with a Mr. Jones at Powers' farm near Decatur, Illinois. In 1877, Colonel Ezekiel Clay, Colonel Catesby Woodford and their financial backer, George Bowen, purchased Billet for US$5,000 and moved him to Clay and Woodford's Runnymede Stud, standing the stallion as the property of George Bowen & Co. beginning in 1878. Bowen sold out his share in Billet and Runnymede in 1883, and the horse stood afterward as the property of Clay and Woodford until his death in January 1889.
Pedigree notes
Billet is inbred 4x4 to 1815 St. Leger Stakes winner Filho da Puta and 5x5 to two-time English champion sire Walton. He is a full brother to Bivouac, who won the 1860 Ebor St. Leger among other races. His sire, Voltigeur, won the 1850 Derby Stakes and St. Leger Stakes as well as a memorable edition of the Doncaster Cup against 4-year-old The Flying Dutchman. His dam, Calcutta, was sired by 1848 Two Thousand Guineas winner and Derby Stakes runner-up Flatcatcher, a son of 1834 St. Leger Stakes winner and four-time English champion sire Touchstone.
Fun facts
- Billet's name is related to that of his sire Voltigeur, who was named for a term for a French light infantryman, especially a sharpshooter. A “billet” is a temporary lodging for a soldier.
- In the Thoroughbred stallion class at the Great St. Louis Fair of 1872, Billet won the first premium over Pat Malloy (sire of 1879 Kentucky Derby winner Lord Murphy) and Phaeton (sire of the great Ten Broeck and the fine sire King Alfonso).
Last updated: November 11, 2020