Yattendon is another of those remarkable horses whose name is now well and truly shuffled back into the depths of history. It is sad to imagine that he is unlikely to ever be considered for Hall Of Fame status, simply because he did all of his racing in Sydney. Yattendon was regarded as one of the true champions of the era, and his influence continued to the stud where he made a huge impact on the fledgling Australian thoroughbred. He was described by the Australian Town and Country Journal, an early newspaper from Sydney, as “A dark-brown horse, in fact nearly black, about 16 hands, and one of the best leg horses that ever ran. He was also one of the hardest horses to dress, and caused his attendant many a weary hour to prepare, but was one of the best-tempered and kindliest horses on the turf.”

The colt was foaled in September 1861 at Ramornie Stud. He was a son of champion stallion Sir Hercules out of the outstanding mare, Cassandra. Yattendon was rather fortunate to have survived at all. A few days after the foaling, the mare was noted in an agitated state, and when it was investigated, the colt was found to be at the bottom of a deep hole. This was in the evening, and the colt would surely have not lasted the night had he not been discovered when he was. Cassandra died in May 1864 but a painting of her by renowned sporting artist, Edward Winstanley was exhibited