Family B-24: Certe

This was a prolific and versatile family of flat racers, hurdlers, steeplechasers and winners of medals at hunter shows in Ireland and England. The taproot mare was by Sir Hercules, seen so frequently in half-bred families. Calcavella, by Burgundy, was probably bred by Richard Meredith of Salop; she produced three daughters useful in the breeding shed, all bred by Rice Meredith of Rathbride Manor, Co. Kildare. Her daughter Dagmar won the Kildare Hunt Cup at Puncestown at age six, and placed second in it at age eight. Her son Mickey won five steeplechases and a hurdle race; The Dane won two flat races for hunters, a hurdle race and a steeplechase; Duchess won a small steeplechase, and Castlenock, by the Solon son Philammon won nine races, including the Carlington Handicap, the Drayton Handicap, and the Croxteth Cup. Castlenock, a sixteen hand bay, was later a sire of good hunters, and won a silver medal at London in 1894. Dagmar's daughter Maia produced six winners of races on the flat and over fences, most bred by Rice Meredith: Master Joe by Grimston son Kineton won seven steeplechases, and Alvaston, by Primrose League, won three races and later was a stallion in Ireland.

Calcavella's daughter Cimeraire, bred by Meredith, dropped Georgina, by Roman Bee, who had been the best juvenile racehorse in Ireland and later a good sire of horses such as Soulouque, Cimaroon and Master Ned (Irish Derby). Georgina won a second in a small steeplechase at age five and then was retired to stud, producing eight winners, including: Rosenallis, winner of the 3 mile Brigade Cup and the Grand Military Steeplechase; Master George, a winner of eleven races; Xebee, winner of the Great Sandown Steeplechase and six other chases; and Sir George, winner of the Leopardstown Handicap, who later secured a silver medal and a first prize in the London shows of 1893 and 1894 and got a number of hunters and steeplechasers in Killarney. Georgina's daughter Ina won two flat races, three hurdle races and a steeplechase, and got winners over fences, including her daughter, Nesta. Another Georgina daughter, Corbally, bred by Meredith, won a steeplechase and received first prizes and a gold medal at various shows.

Another Calcavella daughter, Cimarhine, by Rapid Rhone, produced Queen Bee, by Roman Bee, whose son, Bill, won the Patriotic Stakes and five other races. Another Cimarhine daughter was Small Talk.

Notable Descendants