Wizard (1806 – 30 June 1813) was a BritishThoroughbredracehorse. He won seven of his ten races, with all his wins coming at Newmarket. In 1809 he won the 2000 Guineas Stakes, before finishing second in the Derby Stakes. The following year he won a match race against his Derby conqueror Pope. Throughout his racing career he was owned by Christopher Wilson and trained by Tom Perren. Wizard only stood as a stallion for two years before dying in an accident in 1813. His son Young Wizard won the Riddlesworth Stakes and was the runner-up in the Derby in 1817.
. . . Wizard (horse) . . .
Wizard was a chestnutcolt foaled in 1806 and bred by Mr. Goodison.[1] He was sired by Sorcerer, a successful racehorse and three-time Champion sire in Britain. Amongst Sorcerer’s other progeny were 2000 Guineas and Derby winner Smolensko, St. Leger winner Soothsayer and the Oaks winners Morel, Maid of Orleans and Sorcery.[2] Wizard’s dam was a daughter of Precipitate. Wizard was the second of her ten foals.[1] He was trained by Tom Perren.[3]
Wizard did not race as a two-year-old and he made his debut on 3 April 1809 in a sweepstakes of 100 guineas each at the Newmarket Craven meeting.[4]Ridden by William Clift, he started the race as the 6/5 favourite and won it easily from Chryseis.[5] Cock Robin finished third, with three others behind him.[4] Two weeks later he started 4/5 favourite for the 2000 Guineas Stakes over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket.[6] This was the first running of the 2000 Guineas.[3] Also near the front of the betting were Japan at 10/3, Robin at 6/1 and Fair Star at 7/1. Eight runners started the race, which Wizard won from Robin. Fair Star finished third and Japan fourth.[6]
Wizard then went to Epsom Downs for the Derby Stakes, where he was again ridden by Clift, as he had been in his previous two races.[7] He started as the odds-on favourite, priced at about 8/11.[8] Fair Star was the second favourite, with Salivator third in the betting. Salivator took the lead and held it until the field turned into the finishing straight, where Wizard overtook him. Wizard was in front until a few yards from the finish, where he was passed by Pope, a 20/1 outsider. Pope won the race by a neck from Wizard with Salivator in third and Fair Star in fourth.[7] In his last race of the season Wizard finished fourth in the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster. The race was won by Ashton, who had started as favourite.[9] The St. Leger was the first time Wizard had not been ridden by William Clift, with Francis Buckle riding him.[10]
. . . Wizard (horse) . . .