Hyperion (horse)

British bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Hyperion (18 April 1930 – 9 December 1960) was a British bred Thoroughbred racehorse, a dual classic winner, an outstanding sire, and considered to be one of the most important Thoroughbreds of the 20th century. Owned by Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Hyperion won GBP £29,509 during his racing career—a considerable sum at the time. His victories included the Epsom Derby and the St. Leger Stakes. He was the most successful British bred sire of the 20th century and the champion sire in the UK six times between 1940 and 1954.

Hyperion was born on 18 April 1930. He was by the good Thoroughbred sire Gainsborough, who was one of three wartime Triple Crown winners in the United Kingdom. His dam, Selene, was by Chaucer, a talented son of the undefeated St. Simon. Selene was also the dam of such good sires such as Sickle (GB) (sireline ancestor of Native Dancer and Sea Bird), Pharamond (US), and Hunter's Moon (GB). Hyperion was linebred 3x4 to St. Simon. The colt was bred and owned by Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, who hired George Lambton to train him. According to writer Avalyn Hunter on Hyperion's conformation: "[Hyperion was a] muscular, powerfully built chestnut horse he was short legged and long bodied for his height [], and somewhat ewe necked and straight shouldered, but had excellent action. He was light boned below the knee. Although he had a distinct personality, and could have a mind of his own, he had a calm disposition. He was a thoroughly lazy horse at work, which was unfortunate as he needed a good deal of training to get into top condition, but was a determined performer on the race course."

As 2 year old, in 1932, Hyperion won the New Stakes at Ascot and the Dewhurst Stakes, plus a dead heat in the Prince of Wales Stakes, from five starts in 1932. He was undefeated in four starts. In 1933, as a 3 year old, Hyperion went on to win the Chester Vase, the Epsom Derby, the Prince of Wales Stakes, and the St. Leger Stakes. He raced four times at the age of 4, winning two races, the March Stakes (ten furlongs) and the Burwell Stakes (showcase handicap), both contested at Newmarket. In his main race, the Ascot Gold Cup, he placed third, after Felicitation and Thor. The 2.5 mile race indicated that he was not a true stayer. In the Dullingham Stakes at Newmarket, only two horses started where the 3 year old, Caithness, carrying 8 st. 1 lb. defeated Hyperion carrying 10 st. 2 lb. by a short head.