Pranks

Pranks was a bay filly, bred by S. Batson, Esq., in 1809. She was got by Hyperion (son of Highflyer), out of Frisky, by Fidget (son of Florizel), out of a mare by Herod, her dam, by the Earl of Northumberland's Arabian, out of Sister to Skim, by the Bolton Grey Starling, out of Miss Mayes, by Bartlett's Childers, out of a mare by Counsellor (son of Lord D'Arcy's Counsellor), her dam, by Snake, out of a mare by Luggs (son of Lord D'Arcy's White Turk, the sire of Old Hautboy).

Prank's Performances

1812

At Epsom, for three years old, fillies, 8st 4lbs each, was not placed in the Oaks of 50 gs. each, h. ft., forty subscribers, won by Mr. Hewett's b. f. Manuella, by Dick Andrews, out of Mandane, beating the Duke of Rutland's br. f. Elizabeth, by Orville, second, Lord Egremont's b. f. by Gohanna, third, and nine others; 11 to 10 on Elizabeth, and 20 to 1 against Manuella. Manuella was bred by Richard Watt, Esq. At Basingstoke, 7st 3lbs, three mile heats, won a £50 purse, beating Mr. Weston's b. c. Musical Magic, three years, 7st 6lbs, Mr. Duffield's b. f. Cornelia, by Teddy the Grinder, three years, 7st 3lbs, Mr. Bacon's b. c. Rattletrap, by Whiskey, three years, 7st 6lbs, Mr. Pryse's br. c. Caliban, by Sorcerer, three years, 7st 6lbs, and two others, in both heats. Ran twice more at Egham and Salisbury, without success.

1813

At Newmarket, Craven, 6st 5lbs, not placed for the Oatlands, won by H. R. H. the Duke of York's b. c. Venture, by Haphazard, four years, 6st 13lbs, beating Sorcery, five years, 8st 11lbs, and ten others. S. mg., 7st 11lbs, won a handicap sweep of 25 gs. each, beating Mr. Charles Tibbitts' br. c. Pericles, by Evander, three years, 8st 9lbs, second, Sir C. Bunbury's b. c. Scout, by Sorcerer, three years, 7st 12lbs, and General Grosvenor's b. c. Lazyboots, by Young Drone, three years, 7st 12lbs; 6 to 4 on Pericles. At Newmarket (Second October), 8st 4lbs, three miles, won the Town Plate of £50, beating the Hon. Berkeley Craven's br. c. The Captain, by Waxy, three years, 7st 4lbs, and four others. At Newmarket (Ho.), 8st 7lbs, D. I., won a purse of 50 sovs., beating Scout, four years, 8st 7lbs, and three others; 5 to 4 on Pranks.

1814

At Newmarket (First Spring), 7st 11lbs, two miles, won a sweep of 350 gs., beating the Duke of Grafton's b. c. Woful, by Waxy, four years, 8st 10lbs, and the Duke of York's b. c. Pointers, by Giles, four years, 8st 5lbs; 6 to 4 on Woful. At Ascot, 8st 9lbs, 2½ miles, won the Cup of 260 gs., beating Mr. Blake's b. f. Miss Whipthong, by Giles (son of Trumpator), four years, 7st 13lbs, Colonel Udny's b. c. Punic, by Gohanna, four years, 8st 2lbs, third, the Duke of St. Albans' b. c. Knave of Diamonds, by Diamond, four years, 8st 2lbs, the Duke of York's ch. f. Aquilina, by Eagle, three years, 6st 7lbs, and two others. At Newmarket (First October), 8st 8lbs, B. C., won a sweep of 425 gs., beating the Right Hon. John Villier's br. h. Merryfield, by Cockfighter, six years, 9st; 2 to 1 on Merryfield. Pranks ran four times more, without success, and was put to the Stud, where, in 1816, she threw twins, a colt and a filly, to Sorcerer, both of which were dead. In 1817, a b. f. Rebecca, by Hedley; in 1818, a b. f. Freak, by Hedley; in 1821, a b. f. Young Pranks, by Castrel; in 1822, a ch. c. Hogarth,*) by Rubens; in 1823, a b. c. Clown, by Orville; in 1826, a b. c. Lazarus,† by Moses (introduced in the Engraving); her last, in 1831, a foal by Helenus (son of Soothsayer), &c.

*) Hogarth, the property of Mr. Stanlake Batson, and subsequently of Mr. Thornhill, of Riddlesworth, won 280 sovs. at Newmarket Craven, in 1825, beating General Grosvenor's ch. f. Wings (winner of the Oaks and Gold Cup, at Epsom, in that year), and ran third in Middleton's Derby.

† Lazarus won a good stake at Epsom, in 1828; was not placed in Frederick's Derby, in 1829, but won the Wokingham Stakes, at Ascot, in that year, winning twice out of three starts.

[Taunton, Thomas Henry: “Portraits Of Celebrated Racehorses Of The Past And Present Centuries”, 1887]