Hannah (horse)
Hannah was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and the second horse to win the English Fillies Triple Crown.
Background
Hannah was bred by the Rothschild family and named for Baron Meyer Rothschild’s only daughter. She was sired by King Tom and 1000 Guineas winner Mentmore Lass, who was one of the Rothchild’s foundation mares and also produced Zephyr, dam of Derby winner Favonius.Hannah was a slender bay filly, light of bone, and was put into training with Joseph Hayhoe.
Racing career
1870: two-year-old season
Hannah was still unnamed when she made her debut in the July Stakes at Newmarket. She duly won by half a length from General, before going on to win the Triennial Produce Stakes by two lengths and Clearwell Stakes by one and a half lengths.The following day, Hannah finished third to Albert Victor and Steppe in the Middle Park Plate after trying to concede them 7 lbs in weight. She finished off her two-year-old campaign two days later in the Prendergast Stakes, where she finished second by a head to Digby Grand.
1871: three-year-old season
Hannah reappeared in the following year’s 1000 Guineas, where she was sent off the 2/1 favourite and won easily by three lengths from Steppe. She next stepped up to a mile and a half for the Oaks, where she was again three lengths too good for her rivals.Hannah then raced in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot, where she was third to the Derby second King Of The Forest and Ripponden as the 4/1 favourite after trying to concede 11 lbs.
She then attempted to emulate Formosa in winning the St Leger and the Fillies Triple Crown. Up against nine rivals, including Middle Park Plate conqueror Albert Victor, Hannah was sent off the 9/4 favourite and won by a length. By winning the St Leger, Hannah ensured that her owner, Baron de Rothschild had won all five Classic races. 1868 became known as “the Baron’s Year”.
Hannah went on to win the Triennial Produce Stakes in a walkover, before finishing third to Verdure in the Newmarket Oaks in her final race of the season.