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Eclipse was born during a solar eclipse at the Duke of Cumberland's stud in 1764. He had an exceptional record and it is thought that he remained unbeaten throughout his racing career and is the ancestor of many thoroughbreds to follow.
So what's the connection with Tullow ?
A Denis O'Kelly, born in Tullow, County Carlow, Ireland in 1728, left for a young age and went to England. When Kelly cam across Eclipse, in 1769 at Epsom, (jockey that day was John Oakley) ; Kelly was so impressed that he bet on Eclipse to win saying "Eclipse first the rest nowhere"
Eclipse won easily, which gave Kelly the enough money to buy Eclipse for 650 Guineas from the then owner William Wildman
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Eclipse died on February 1789 having sired 344 foals. Apparently his skeleton is housed in the Royal Veterinary College in Hertfordshire and it is said that up to 80% of to-days thoroughbreds are descended from Eclipse. One of his most famous descendants was the charger Copenhagen owned by no less than Napoleon Bonaparte.
Inaccuracies/Additions ? Email us at Info@TullowTown.ie