Galliard (1880 – 1903) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He showed top-class form as a two-year-old in 1882 when he won the Chesterfield Stakes at Newmarket and the Prince of Wales's Stakes at York. In the following year he won the 2000 Guineas and then ran third when favourite for the Epsom Derby. His performances in these two races led to some questions regarding the integrity of his regular jockey Fred Archer. At Ascot Racecourse he recorded a hat-trick of wins when he took the Prince of Wales's Stakes, St James's Palace Stakes and Triennial Stakes. He was strongly fancied for the St Leger but his racing career was ended by injury. He had some influence as a breeding stallion through his son War Dance and his daughter Black Duchess.
Background
Galliard was a "very handsome" brown horse bred and owned by Evelyn Boscawen, 6th Viscount Falmouth. He was trained throughout his racing career by the veteran Mathew Dawson at the Heath House stable in Newmarket, Suffolk.
His sire Galopin was an outstanding racehorse who won the Derby in 1872 and went on to be a successful and influential stallion, being Champion sire on three occasions. Galopin sired numerous major winners, including St Simon, Disraeli, Galeottia and Donovan. Galliard's dam Mavis also produced the influential broodmare Rattlewings.
Racing career
1882: two-year-old season
Galliard made his racecourse debut in the £1370 Chesterfield Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse on 6 July and started the 4/6 favourite against six opponents. He had shown great promise in training and was described as "well-made" with "a deal of quality". Ridden by Fred Archer he took the lead approaching the final furlong and won "in a canter" by one and a half lengths from the Duke of Hamilton's colt Export. Despite not having fully recovered from a respiratory infection, the colt returned to the track on 22 August when he was an easy winner of the £1002 Prince of Wales's Stakes at York Racecourse. In the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse on 12 September he started 3/1 second favourite behind Macheath, the winner of the July Stakes. With Archer again in the saddle he was always towards the rear and came home last of the five runners as the race was won by the filly Hauteur (later to win the 1000 Guineas).
1883: three-year-old season
Spring
In the spring of 1883, Galliard was regarded as a leading contender for both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby in what appeared to be a very open year. His reputation was enhanced when his stable companion Grandmaster, whom he had beaten "out of sight" in a private trial, ran out a decisive winner of the Craven Stakes at Newmarket in mid-April.
On 25 April, over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, Galliard was one of fifteen colts to contest the 75th running of the 2000 Guineas which took place in fine weather and attracted a very large crowd. Highland Chief started 11/4 favourite with Galliard, ridden by Archer, next in the betting on 9/2: he may have started favourite but for "ominous rumours", including the suggestion that Archer had place a wager on Highland Chief, who was trained by his brother Charley. The best fancied of the other runners were The Prince (11/2), Chislehurst (6/1) and Goldfield (100/9). Dawson opted to saddle his charge at the Ditch stable, thereby avoiding the noise and distractions of the "Birdcage" paddock. Galliard started well, but was restrained by Archer as the 100/1 outsider Auctioneer went to the front and opened up a huge lead. Auctioneer gave way to Montroyd three furlongs from the finish before Galliard gained the lead entering the last quarter mile with Goldfield and The Prince close behind. Goldfield took the advantage a furlong out but Galliard rallied strongly and after a "magnificent race" and a "desperate finish" he prevailed by a head from Goldfield with The Prince a neck away in third.