The Brigadier [1] Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pretty Polly

Pretty Polly was a chestnut mare by Gallinule out of Admiration. She was an excellent stayer but, like so many others, was only an average broodmare. However, it is as you come to her grand-daughters and great-grand-daughters that she shone through. The Brigadier was out of a great-great-grand-daughter of Pretty Polly. Maid of Mint was the dam of the 1906 Derby winner, Spearmint. Mumtaz Begum was the dam of the phenomenally successful sire, Nasrullah, among others. Selene was the dam of the champion racehorse and sire, Hyperion.

Answer: John & Jean Hislop

John Hislop was born in December 1911 at Quetta, at that time a part of the Indian Empire. He was educated in Britain, served in WWII and has had a lifelong love of horse racing. His dream was to breed a champion from the line of Pretty Polly which he accomplished, and then some, with The Brigadier. Sir Alex Ferguson was the part owner of Rock of Gibraltar. Major Loder owned Pretty Polly. Paul Mellon owned the champion, Mill Reef.

Answer: Queen's Hussar

Queen's Hussar was a bay, foaled in 1950. He was by March Past (br.'50. Petition - Marcelette) from Jojo (gr.'50. Vilmorin - Fairy
Jane). Queen's Hussar was a handsomely proportioned horse with an average track record. He did not resemble any of his immediate relations, being far more well made and attractive. It is safe to say that The Brigadier was his best success as a sire. Major Portion was the sire of Brigade Major and Town Major, both from The Brigadier's dam, La Paiva. The other two were both sires visited by La Paiva in her broodmare career.

Answer: Egerton Stud

Sandringham is the stud of the Queen. Cloghran Stud is in Ireland and was the birthplace of Star Kingdom, the stallion who re-defined the Australasian breeding industry. Coolmore Stud has been the home of many champions including the champion but ill-fated sire, Danehill.

Answer: Bay with a star on forehead.

Brigadier Gerard actually had a glorious mahogany bay coat and very black points. The star on his forehead was a small one and almost centre.

Answer: Dick Hern

All listed were trainers. Irish-based Vincent O'Brien was probably the most successful of the lot.

Answer: 1970 Berkshire Stakes at Newbury

Starting at 100-7, Brigadier Gerard won easily over the 5 furlong straight course. Carrying 8st 5lb, he defeated Mais'y Dotes by 5 lengths with the American-bred, Porter's Precinct two and a half lengths away in third.

Answer: Joe Mercer

Joe Mercer and The Brigadier built up an excellent partnership and they understood each other completely. He loved the horse dearly. The others were all successful jockeys as well, all now retired.

Answer: Mummy's Pet and Swing Easy

The Brigadier defeated all of these horses at one time or another. He only ever met Mill Reef once, in the 1971 Two Thousand Guineas, but he defeated him with ease by three lengths. Had they met in the Derby, I feel the same outcome would have resulted. Mill Reef was a superb horse but Brigadier Gerard, I think, was the better of the two.

Answer: He did not contest it.

The race was won by Mill Reef. He would run second to Brigadier Gerard in the Guineas. Mill Reef would break a bone in his leg in August 1972. He was successfully saved for stud duties.