Rowena

Rowena (foaled 1817) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare that won the classic 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in 1820. On her only other appearance, she finished second in the Oaks Stakes. She later became a successful broodmare. Background Rowena was a chestnut mare bred by her owner George FitzRoy, 4th Duke of Grafton at his stud at Euston Hall in Suffolk. Her sire Haphazard won 15 races between 1800 and 1804 before becoming a successful breeding stallion. His offspring included the 2000 Guineas winners Antar and Reginald, as well as the St Leger winner Filho da Puta. Rowena's dam Prudence was a daughter of Prunella, described as one of the most important broodmares in the history of the Thoroughbred breed. Prudence herself produced several major winners (all beginning with the letter "R") including the 2000 Guineas winner Reginald and the Riddlesworth Stakes winners Rebecca and Rufus. Rowena was Prudence's third foal, but the first to appear on a racecourse, her two older siblings having died young. Grafton sent the filly to be trained at Newmarket by Robert Robson, the so-called "Emperor of Trainers". Racing career 1820: three-year-old season