Layminster

Layminster (foaled in 1907) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse is best known for winning the 1910 Preakness Stakes. Owned by Mr. Edward B. Cassatt, he was sired by Matchless. Layminster was out of the mare Northminster, a daughter of Meddler.^[1]

Preakness Stakes

The thirty-fifth running of the Preakness Stakes was run on Saturday, May 7, 1910. On that day Layminster went off as 17-1 longshot in the field of twelve after one scratch. He broke poorly in ninth under jockey Roy Estep but as they hit Pimlico's famous "Clubhouse Turn" he had edged into sixth place. The pace was very fast early in the race that day with the first quarter in 0:23-1/5 seconds and the half in 0:47-4/5.^[2] As the race progressed, Layminster raced in mid-pack with a group of stalkers behind the leaders. He made his move on the final turn with some urging from Estep and rounded the field.

Near the top of the lane he passed most of the leaders and wore down front runner Dalhouse. In the last sixteenth of a mile he emerged in front and beat the favorite and now runner-up by only a half length.^[3] That day Dalhouse finished second at 6-5 by only another half length back to Sager who finished third at 5-1.

The final time for the one mile race on dirt was 1:40 1/5 over a fast track. This was one of only two years (1909 and 1910) that the Preakness was run at the shorter distance of a mile. The winner's share of the purse was $2,800 and a $500 silver cup trophy.^[4]

The next year Buskin and Holiday were the last geldings to win the Preakness Stakes until Prairie Bayou won the race in 1993.^[5]

Later racing career

Records were very sketchy over a hundred and six years ago and no other information was found related to Layminster's record, earnings or other wins.

Breeding

References