Vagrant Won Second Kentucky Derby in 1876
Foaled by Lazy, Vagrant Started Eighty-eight Races in Eight Years
Apr 26, 2009
Even in 1874, the cost of a good Thoroughbred yearling was generally well above $250. That rock bottom bargain figure was the original price tag on Vagrant, son of Lazy. Later, the millionaire William Astor purchased Vagrant for $7,000, a much more impressive fetching figure for a Thoroughbred of the racing era, and entered him in the 1876 Kentucky Derby.
It was no secret that the well-to-do of the day, Astors included, followed Thoroughbred breeding and had the means to pursue top bloodstock to establish numerous racing interests and stables.
Vagrant's Kentucky Derby 1876
Vagrant was from good genes. His daddy, Virgil, would sire two other Kentucky Derby winners, Hindoo, who won the 1881 Derby, and Ben Ali, 1886's victor.
In the usual manner of rough riding in pre-modern Thoroughbred racing, jockey Robert Swim called on all instrumentation to chuck Vagrant into gear in the Derby stretch. The result was a decisive win, and Vagrant became historically the first gelding to win Churchill Downs roses (in the race's second year).
Vagrant's Golden Gelded Years
Vagrant, the gelding, unable to continue his father's successful siring duties, raced for eight seasons. He won just twenty races, but collected a hefty total of twenty-four placings and showings.
After his racing days ended, Vagrant slipped into obscurity. The Kentucky Derby champion lived out his life in the city. With his four white leg stockings and star, stripe, and snip face, he brightened the dullness of the street carts he pulled through Lexington in exchange for his feed.
1876 Kentucky Derby Card and Finish
- No. 1 --- Vagrant, by 2 lengths ----- Owner, William Astor
- No. 2 --- Creedmore, by 1 ----- Williams & Owings
- No. 3 --- Harry Hill, by 1 ----- John Funk
- No. 4 ---Parole, by 1/2 ----- Pierre Lorillard
- No. 5 --- Germantown ----- F.B. Harper
- No. 6 --- Lizzie Stone ----- F.B. Harper
- No. 7 --- Marie Michon ----- J.A. Grinstead
- No. 8 --- Bombay ----- Dan Swigert
- No. 9 --- Red Coat ----- Green Clay
- No.10 --- Leamingtonian ----- H.F. Vissman
- No.11 --- Bullion ----- A. Keene Richards
- Race Fractions: -- :26, :51, 1:17-1/2, 1:45, 2:38-1/4
- Weight Assignments: all horses, 100 lbs., except Vagrant, Parole, Lizzie Stone, and Marie Michon, 97 lbs.
Vagrant Total Race Record
- 1875 --- (age two) --- 6 starts, five firsts, 0 seconds, 1 third --- Earnings, $3,800
- 1876 --- 4 - 3 - 1 - 0 --- $6,450
- 1877 --- 0
- 1878 --- 12 - 0 - 0 - 4 --- $0
- 1879 --- 14 - 3 - 2 - 2 --- $1,175
- 1880 --- 23 - 7 - 3 - 3 --- $1,500
- 1881 --- 21 - 2 - 5 - 2 --- $875
- 1882 --- 7 - 0 - 1 - 0 --- $75
- 1883 --- 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 --- $0
- Totals ----- 88 - 20 - 12 - 12 --- $13,875
- Major Career Placings: (age two) --- 1st in Alexander Stakes, Belle Meade Stakes, Sanford Stakes, Colt Stakes, and Colt and Filly Stakes; (age three) --- 1st in Kentucky Derby, Phoenix Hotel Stakes, Grand Exposition Stakes --- 2nd in Clark Stakes
Vagrant -- Short Pedigree
Vagrant, a brown gelding, was sired by Virgil and foaled by Lazy.
Virgil was sired by Vandal and out of Hymenia. Vandal, by foreign stock Glencoe--Mare by Tranby. Hymenia, by foreign stock Yorkshire--Little Peggy.
Lazy was sired by foreign stock Scythian and out of Lindora. Scythian, by Orlando--Scythia. Lindora, by Lexington--Picayune
