Horse

1764 - 1789

Eclipse, foaled during the solar eclipse of April 1764, was an undefeated racehorse who won 18 races. Few owners were willing to risk their horses against him and eight of his races were 'walk overs'. He was bred at the Duke of Cumberland's estate at Windsor in 1764 and subsequently bought by William Wildman, who then sold him to Dennis O'Kelly. Eclipse first raced when he was five years old and easily won the first heat of his first public race, at Epsom in May 1769. Eclipse retired to stud in 1771, following a racing career of around 17 months. Whilst at stud he sired 165 winners and established a bloodline that dominates racing today. Following his death in 1789, an autopsy was carried out by French veterinary surgeon Monsieur Charles Vial de Saint Bel. St. Bel mounted Eclipse’s skeleton. Eclipse is possibly the most important racehorse that ever lived. He had an extraordinary racing career and the majority of modern Thoroughbreds are descended from him through the male line.