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Sir Charles
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Sir Charles was
considered one of the very best sons of the great American stallion
Sir Archy both as a runner and a sire. His only rival was Sir Archy's
other great son, Bertrand, and it was hard for many to choose between
them. In his day, Sir Charles was the champion of Virginia, home state
of his owner/breeder James J. Harrison.
Sir Charles was
foaled at Harrison's plantation "Diamond Grove" on the Meherrin
River in Brunswick County. Sir Charles started 26 times, winning 20
and placing second four times. His wins were recorded as follows "four
at four-mile heats, four of three-mile heats, six of two -mile heats,
in six, distances not given."
His career finale
was a disappointment but proved a high point for an even better horse,
the Northern champion American Eclipse. The event was the first of
several famous North-South challenge races, and this premier event
was held at the Washington D.C. course on November 22, 1822. Sir Charles
"struck a tendon" in a trial and his owner was forced to
pay $5,000 forfeit, but the horse was back on course for the second
heat later in the day. American Eclipse won "with great ease"
although it was discovered that Sir Charles had broken down in the
last mile.
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Wagner
Trifle
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Sir Charles was
acquired as a stallion by Col. William Ransom Johnson and stood at
his "Oaklands" plantation on the Appomattox River, Chesterfield
County, Virginia. Later in life, he was moved to the nearby stud of
Johnson's son, George W. Johnson and a half interest was sold to John
Charles Craig.
Sir Charles led
the American Sires List five times, in 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833, and
1836 and second in 1937. Given this record, he was determined to be,
again along with Bertrand (who led the Sires' List in 1835), one of
the two best sons of Sir Archy ever to stand at stud. So great was
Sir Charles valued, that his owner refused repeated offers of $15,000
for him. When Sir Charles died on June 7, 1833 (eerily, the same day
as his sire, Sir Archy died in North Carolina), Johnson looked to
his vanquisher, American Eclipse to replace him at stud.
The best runner
by Sir Charles was Wagner, a chestnut colt foaled from his sire's
last crop in 1834, out of the mare Maria West by Marion (and thus
inbred 2x3 to Sir Archy). Wagner contested in 20 races, winning 14
including two match races in Louisville, Kentucky in 1839, with the
local hero Grey Eagle. Wagner stood with some note in Tennessee.
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Sir Charles also
sired two outstanding filly champions, Bonnets O'Blue (1827 out of
Reality by Sir Archy) and Trifle (1828 out of a mare by Cicero). Both
went on to become important producers, Bonnets O'Blue as the dam of
the great racemare Fashion (by *Trustee), and Trifle as the dam of
Gloriana and Miss Peyton (both by American Eclipse).
Sir Charles also
sired Rosalie Somers, dam of the champion and leading sire Revenue
(by Trustee), and Charlotte Hamilton (appearing in the pedigree of
Himyar).
--Anne Peters
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