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The Colonel was a successful hurdler, but his first Grand National win in 1869 was only his second steeplechase; he won it again in 1870, by a neck. He failed in his third attempt, carrying 12 st. 8 lb. Sold to Germany, he stood at stud in Beberbeck, and also did part-time duty as the ceremonial charger for Emperor Wilhelm I. His dam, Boadicea, was by Birdcatcher's brother, Faugh-a-Ballagh, who won the St. Leger Stakes and several other top races for stayers. The Colonel was damsire of Optima, the dam of Optimus (by Odoardo, with close-in Melbourne blood), a Beberbecker taken to Trakehnen to improve Trakehners. The Colonel can be seen in Beberbeck, Trakehner pedigrees, and in the further removes of some Hanoverian lines. |
