Pope Joan

Pope Joan (1809–1830) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. She won four of her eight starts before being retired to stud, where she became a successful broodmare. She foaled 1000 Guineas winner Tontine, 2000 Guineas winner Turcoman and Epsom Oaks winner Turquoise. Pope Joan was bred by Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton and after his death was owned by his son George FitzRoy, 4th Duke of Grafton. Background Pope Joan was a bay filly bred by Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, and foaled in 1809. She was sired by Waxy, who won The Derby in 1793. Waxy was also a successful stallion and was the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 1810. Amongst his other progeny were Derby winners Pope, Whalebone, Blucher and Whisker. As well as the fillies Corinne, Minuet and Music. Pope Joan's dam, Prunella, was a daughter of the undefeated Highflyer. Prunella only won three races, but later became a very successful broodmare. She foaled Pope (mentioned above) and the successful broodmares Pledge and Prudence, who were full-siblings to Pope Joan. Prunella also foaled the mares Penelope, Parasol and Pelisse, who were half-sisters to Pope Joan. Racing career 1812: Three-year-old season In her first race, Pope Joan finished unplaced behind winner Cwrw in the 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket on 14 April 1812. At the end of the month she finished third in £50 Handicap Plate, also at Newmarket. The race was won by the four-year-old filly Albuera. At the beginning of July she faced five opponents in the King's Plate at Ipswich, a race of three two-mile heats. After finishing second to Scout in the first heat, she won the last two to win the race. Scout was second and Spotless third. She then beat her only rival Thalestris to win the Queen's Plate at Chelmsford by winning the first two two-mile heats, therefore a third was not needed to be run. At Newmarket's First October meeting she won a Sweepstakes of 100 guineas each, beating Aquarius and Guadiana. Two days later she started as the odds-on favourite for a 25 guinea Subscription race. Ridden by T. Goodisson, she won easily from Calyba, with Lady Sophia finishing third.