| Color: dk ch Height: 15.3
(IRE)
He was Champion Sire in England in 1852 and 1856, and among the top sires fifteen times. Birdcatcher, or Irish Birdcatcher as he was commonly called, was bred in Ireland by Mr. Hunter, who sold him to Mr. William Disney of Lark Lodge, Kildare County. His dam, Guiccioli (ch f 1823 Bob Booty), was bred by Mr. Blake and later owned by George Knox, owner of Sir Hercules (bl c 1826 Whalebone). In the stud Guiccioli produced a number of good horses, including Birdcatchers full brother Faugh-a-Ballagh (br c 1841) and his full sister Gramachree (ch f 1844). Faugh-a-Ballagh won the St. Leger, the Grand Duke Michael Stakes and the Cesarewitch Stakes. Gramachree became the dam of the Anglesey Stakes winner Its Curious (b f 1862 Artillery), the 2nd dam of the Irish Sweeps Derby winner Selim (b c 1863 Ivan), and ancestress of most of Family 11-d.
He was described as having a blaze face with a left-hind half-stocking. His head was said to be small, neat and expressive, set cleanly onto his arched neck. Strong sloping shoulders fit smoothly into his short, strong, tight back, complementing his depth through the loin. His quarters were muscular and his tail set high. Both arms and thighs were well muscled over wiry, lightly made legs. The springy lightness and elasticity of his stride contributed to the superlative action of one of the fastest horses that ever trod the Curragh. His son Saunterer (bl c 1854) was thought most like him.
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