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Grave Matters: The Royal Stud at Sandringham, Norfolk, England
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Photos byJane Cook ©Jane Cook 2003; all rights reserved. |
| The statue of Persimmon at Sandringham Stud |
The ROYAL STUD at SANDRINGHAM is near King's Lynn, Norfolk, England. It was founded by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) in the 1880s, replacing the Royal Stud at Hampton Court. One of the most important residents in this early period was the Prince's broodmare PERDITA II (1881 by Hampton), who produced the Derby/St. Leger winner PERSIMMON (1893 by St. Simon), Guineas/Derby/St. Leger winner DIAMOND JUBILEE (1897 by St. Simon), and Goodwood Cup winner FLORIZEL II (1891 by St. Simon). PERSIMMON retired back to stud at Sandringham and was an outstanding sire. After his death in 1908, a statue was raised in his honor at the Stud. His mounted head is on display at the Jockey Club Racing Museum in Newmarket, while his skeleton is at the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London. FLORIZEL II and Triple Crown winner DIAMOND JUBILEE also stood at Sandringham. DIAMOND JUBILEE was later sold to Argentina where he became a leading sire.
Over the years, the Royal Stud at Sandringham has been home to successful sires such as Friar Marcus (died 1934), Doutelle, Ribero, and most recently, SHIRLEY HEIGHTS, who was buried here in 1997.
King George V bred Oaks and Guineas winner SCUTTLE. King George VI bred HYPERICUM, RISING LIGHT, and ABOVE BOARD. Queen Elizabeth II has bred DOUTELLE, AUREOLE, PALL MALL, HIGHCLERE, CAROZZA, DUNFERMLINE, CANISBAY, ABOVE SUSPICION, ALMERIA, EXAMPLE, ESCORIAL, HOPEFUL VENTURE, PINDARI, CHARLTON, ATLAS, AGREEMENT, and MAGNA CARTA.
Sandringham was home to the great broodmare FEOLA, dam of HYPERICUM (dam of HIGHCLERE, granddam of HEIGHT OF FASHION), KINGSTONE, ANGELOLA (dam of AUREOLE), ABOVE BOARD (dam of DOUTELLE, ABOVE SUSPICION). Feola's daughter KNIGHT'S DAUGHTER was sold to A.B. Hancock of Claiborne Farm in Kentucky and produced the great ROUND TABLE and the good mare MONARCHY. Another daughter, STARLING II was sold to Argentina and produced SIDERAL.
The English and Irish Derby winner SHIRLEY HEIGHTS (1975 by Mill Reef) was acquired to stand at Sandringham after his racing years and was a tremendous success. His progeny include Derby winner SLIP ANCHOR and French Derby winner DARSHAAN, and other G1 winners HIGH HAWK, HIGH ESTATE, INFAMY, and ARCADIAN HEIGHTS. SHIRLEY HEIGHTS had colic surgery in January of 1996, and was euthanized in March of 1997. |
| ROYAL STUD/SANDRINGHAM BURIALS
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| Stallions |
Persimmon (c. 1893-1908; died at Sandringham, mounted head at Jockey Club Racing Museum, Newmarket; skeleton at Natural History Museum, South Kensington)
Shirley Heights (c. 1975-1997) |
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