:Morston (horse)
{{Short description|French-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse}}
{{Infobox racehorse
| horsename = Morston
| image_name = 120px
| caption = Racing silks of Arthur Budgett
| sire = Ragusa
| grandsire = Ribot
| dam = Windmill Girl
| damsire = Hornbeam
| sex = Stallion
| foaled = 1970
| country = France
| colour = Chestnut
| breeder = Park Farm Stud
| owner = Arthur Budgett
| trainer = Arthur Budgett
| record = 2: 2-0-0
| earnings =
| race = Epsom Derby (1973)
| awards = Timeform rating: 125
| honours =
| updated= 1 September 2022
}}
Morston (1970–1993) was a French-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He is best known for winning the 1973 Derby on his second racecourse appearance. He was then injured, and retired undefeated.
Background
Morston was bred in France by his owner Arthur Budgett's Park Farm Stud. He was sired by the Irish Derby winner Ragusa out of Budgett's mare Windmill Girl. This made him a brother of the 1969 Derby winner Blakeney.{{cite web|url=http://www.pedigreequery.com/morston |title=Morston Horse Pedigree |publisher=Pedigreequery.com |access-date=2011-10-14}} He was named after a village in Norfolk.
Racing career
Unraced at two, Morston made his debut in the Godstone Plate, at Lingfield in May 1973. He won comfortably,{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Pick+6%3A+Unbeaten+Morston+tops+six+worst+Derby+winners.-a0117508032 |title=Unbeaten Morston tops six worst Derby winners|publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=2004-06-02 |access-date=2011-10-14}} but showed his inexperience. According to Budgett, the horse was "all over the place".{{cite news|author=Horse Racing |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/5417720/Arthur-Budgett-A-rare-breed-indeed.html |title=Arthur Budgett: A rare breed indeed |publisher=Telegraph |date= 2009-05-31|access-date=2011-10-14 |location=London}}
In the Derby Morston was made a 25-1 outsider. His jockey Edward Hide was instructed by Budgett not to be too hard on the colt, if he was not in a winning position. In the race he hit the front a furlong out and stayed on well to beat Cavo Doro by half a length.
Morston was being trained for the Great Voltigeur Stakes when he suffered a tendon injury{{cite web|url=http://www.famousracehorses.co.uk/persianpunch/punchbreeding.htm |title=Persian Punch |publisher=Famousracehorses.co.uk |access-date=2011-10-14}} which ended his career.
Assessment
Morston has been regarded as one of the least distinguished Derby winners. Writing in the Racing Post, John Randall rated him the worst Derby winner since the Second World War. Budgett, however, regarded Morston as superior to his other Derby winner Blakeney, and the best horse he had ever trained.{{cite web|author=Jon Lees |work=Racing Post |url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/derby-legend-arthur-budgett-dies-aged-95/875231/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819005901/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/derby-legend-arthur-budgett-dies-aged-95/875231/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-08-19 |title=Derby legend Arthur Budgett dies aged 95 |date=2011-06-23 |access-date=2011-10-14}}
He was rated 125 by Timeform.
Stud career
Morston had modest success as a stallion. His best runners were probably Whitstead (Great Voltigeur Stakes), Morcon (Prince of Wales's Stakes) and More Light (Jockey Club Stakes).
Pedigree
{{Pedigree
|name = Morston (FRA), chestnut stallion, 1970{{cite web|url=http://www.chef-de-race.com/classic_winners/english_derby/morston.htm |title=English Derby Winner: Morston |publisher=Chef-de-race.com |access-date=2012-08-24}}
|inf =
|f = Ragusa (IRE)
1960
|m = Windmill Girl (GB)
1961
|ff = Ribot
1952
|fm = Fantan
1952
|mf = Hornbeam
1953
|mm = Chorus Beauty
1952
|fff = Tenerani
|ffm = Romanella
|fmf = Ambiorix
|fmm = Red Eye
|mff = Hyperion
|mfm = Thicket
|mmf = Chanteur
|mmm = Neberna
|ffff = Bellini
|fffm = Tofanella
|ffmf = El Greco
|ffmm = Barbara Burrini
|fmff =Tourbillon
|fmfm = Lavendula
|fmmf = Petee-Wrack
|fmmm = Charred Keg
|mfff = Gainsborough
|mffm = Selene
|mfmf =Nasrullah
|mfmm = Thorn Wood
|mmff = Chateau Bouscaut
|mmfm = La Diva
|mmmf = Nearco
|mmmm = Springtime(Family: 20-c){{cite web|url=http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family20c.htm |title=Palmflower - Family 20-c |publisher=Bloodlines.net |access-date=2012-08-24}}}}