Neapolis was said to have shown brilliant speed in trials as a youngster but split a pastern before facing the starter. Although he recovered enough to race, he never showed much of his initial promise in actual racing. Following export to Argentina, however, he delivered on that early promise in the breeding shed, becoming a seven-time champion sire. His sons were disappointing as sires, leaving it to his daughters to continue his name to future generations.
Race record
8 wins in England and Argentina
1888:
1889:
Following his importation, won six races in Argentina including several good handicaps.
As an individual
A bay horse, Neapolis was considered exceptionally handsome and well-made. He became a roarer during his racing career.
As a stallion
Neapolis had a reputation for siring tough horses that stayed well.
Sire rankings
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Notable progeny
Dictador II (ARG), Fantasia (ARG), Frambois (ARG), Le Sancy (ARG), Pega Pega (ARG), Pelayo (ARG), Pilito (ARG), Rosette (ARG), Tom Pouce (ARG)
Notable progeny of daughters
As de Espadas (ARG), Carmuchita (ARG), Contacto (ARG), Magnetica (ARG), Mascalzone (ARG), Matero (ARG), Moloch (ARG), Palpala (ARG), Picacero (ARG), Pirapo (ARG), Post Maid (ARG)
Connections
Neapolis was bred and owned by J. H. Houldsworth. After Neapolis won a selling plate as a 4-year-old, he was purchased by Captain Machell for 1000 guineas. Machell exported the horse to Argentina in August 1889 and sold him to Ignacio Correas, who raced him for two years before retiring Neapolis to his Haras Las Ortigas. Neapolis stood his entire stud career at Haras Las Ortigas and died there in September 1907.
Pedigree notes
Neapolis is inbred 5x4x5 to the good English sire Pantaloon and 5x5 to two-time English champion sire Birdcatcher. He is a full brother to Yorkshire Oaks and Park Hill Stakes winner Ponza, dam of 1897 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) winner Pfaueninsel (by Donovan), 1904 Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Pathos (by Carnage or Habenichts), 1900 Union-Rennen winner Pomp (by Chamant), and 1897 AJC Spring Stakes winner Positano (by St. Simon). He is also a half brother to 1891 Newmarket Derby and Newmarket St. Leger winner Orvieto (by Bend Or) and 1895 Champion Stakes winner Laveno (by Bend Or).
Sired by the noted speed influence Springfield, Neapolis is out of the Macaroni mare Napoli, a half sister to Queen Alexandra Stakes winner Bushey Park (by Hampton) and to Golden Light (by Springfield), second dam of 1907 Prix Royal-Oak (French St. Leger) winner Anemone. Another half sister to Napoli, multiple stakes winner Sunray (by King of the Forest), produced the stakes-winning fillies Spring Morn, Sunrise and Spring Ray (all by Springfield) and is the second dam of the good stakes winners Greenan and Dunure and of Otterden, a mare that had great influence in Australia and New Zealand. Sunray is also the third dam of Bromus, a juvenile stakes winner and dam of two-time English/Irish champion sire Phalaris.
Returning to Napoli, she is also a half sister to Sundown (by Springfield), second dam of 1916 American champion 2-year-old male Campfire, and to Helioscene (by Hampton), second dam of 1912 English champion 2-year-old filly Waiontha. Napoli and her siblings were out of J. H. Houldsworth's foundation mare Sunshine, a daughter of Thormanby. The winner of the 1870 Coronation Stakes and runner-up in that year's Oaks Stakes, Sunshine was produced from the Chanticleer mare Sunbeam.
Books and media
Neapolis is one of 205 stallions whose accomplishments at stud are profiled in Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, The Australian Bloodhorse Review), a massive reference work written by Jennifer Churchill, Andrew Reichard and Byron Rogers.
Fun facts
Last updated: September 29, 2021
Race record
8 wins in England and Argentina
1888:
- 2nd Epsom Grand Prize (ENG, about 10FT, Epsom)
1889:
- Won Two Thousand Guineas Trial Plate (ENG, 8f+17yT, Newmarket)
Following his importation, won six races in Argentina including several good handicaps.
As an individual
A bay horse, Neapolis was considered exceptionally handsome and well-made. He became a roarer during his racing career.
As a stallion
Neapolis had a reputation for siring tough horses that stayed well.
Sire rankings
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- Led the Argentine general sire list in 1900, 1902, 1903, 1905, 1906, and 1909; 5th in 1910.
- Led the Argentine broodmare sire list in 1917 and 1921; 2nd in 1912, 1915, 1916, and 1920; 3rd in 1911 and 1913; 4th in 1910 and 1919.
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the Argentine general sire list in 1899, 1900, 1902, 1903, 1905, 1906, and 1909.
Notable progeny
Dictador II (ARG), Fantasia (ARG), Frambois (ARG), Le Sancy (ARG), Pega Pega (ARG), Pelayo (ARG), Pilito (ARG), Rosette (ARG), Tom Pouce (ARG)
Notable progeny of daughters
As de Espadas (ARG), Carmuchita (ARG), Contacto (ARG), Magnetica (ARG), Mascalzone (ARG), Matero (ARG), Moloch (ARG), Palpala (ARG), Picacero (ARG), Pirapo (ARG), Post Maid (ARG)
Connections
Neapolis was bred and owned by J. H. Houldsworth. After Neapolis won a selling plate as a 4-year-old, he was purchased by Captain Machell for 1000 guineas. Machell exported the horse to Argentina in August 1889 and sold him to Ignacio Correas, who raced him for two years before retiring Neapolis to his Haras Las Ortigas. Neapolis stood his entire stud career at Haras Las Ortigas and died there in September 1907.
Pedigree notes
Neapolis is inbred 5x4x5 to the good English sire Pantaloon and 5x5 to two-time English champion sire Birdcatcher. He is a full brother to Yorkshire Oaks and Park Hill Stakes winner Ponza, dam of 1897 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) winner Pfaueninsel (by Donovan), 1904 Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Pathos (by Carnage or Habenichts), 1900 Union-Rennen winner Pomp (by Chamant), and 1897 AJC Spring Stakes winner Positano (by St. Simon). He is also a half brother to 1891 Newmarket Derby and Newmarket St. Leger winner Orvieto (by Bend Or) and 1895 Champion Stakes winner Laveno (by Bend Or).
Sired by the noted speed influence Springfield, Neapolis is out of the Macaroni mare Napoli, a half sister to Queen Alexandra Stakes winner Bushey Park (by Hampton) and to Golden Light (by Springfield), second dam of 1907 Prix Royal-Oak (French St. Leger) winner Anemone. Another half sister to Napoli, multiple stakes winner Sunray (by King of the Forest), produced the stakes-winning fillies Spring Morn, Sunrise and Spring Ray (all by Springfield) and is the second dam of the good stakes winners Greenan and Dunure and of Otterden, a mare that had great influence in Australia and New Zealand. Sunray is also the third dam of Bromus, a juvenile stakes winner and dam of two-time English/Irish champion sire Phalaris.
Returning to Napoli, she is also a half sister to Sundown (by Springfield), second dam of 1916 American champion 2-year-old male Campfire, and to Helioscene (by Hampton), second dam of 1912 English champion 2-year-old filly Waiontha. Napoli and her siblings were out of J. H. Houldsworth's foundation mare Sunshine, a daughter of Thormanby. The winner of the 1870 Coronation Stakes and runner-up in that year's Oaks Stakes, Sunshine was produced from the Chanticleer mare Sunbeam.
Books and media
Neapolis is one of 205 stallions whose accomplishments at stud are profiled in Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, The Australian Bloodhorse Review), a massive reference work written by Jennifer Churchill, Andrew Reichard and Byron Rogers.
Fun facts
- Neapolis (literally “new city” in Greek) was the name of several cities founded by the Greeks in the Mediterranean region including the city now known as Naples, Italy (“Napoli” in Italian).
Last updated: September 29, 2021