Robert the Devil (1877–1889) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from 1879 to 1881 he ran fourteen times and won ten races. He was the leading three-year-old colt in Europe in 1880 when his wins included the Grand Prix de Paris in France and the St Leger and the Cesarewitch in England. He had a notable rivalry with the Duke of Westminster's colt Bend Or, winning three of their five racecourse meetings. Robert the Devil was regarded by contemporary observers as one of the greatest horses of the 19th century. He had limited success at stud and died in 1889. Background Robert the Devil was a big, "slashing" bay horse standing 16.2 hands high,. He was by far the best horse sired by Bertram, a useful sprinter who won the King's Stand Stakes in 1872. Robert the Devil's dam, Cast Off, had been barren for several years before being covered by Bertram and had been living semi-wild on the Cambridgeshire fens, near Soham. He was bred by Charles Brewer, a well-known bookmaker and was trained by Charles Blanton at Upper Station Road, Newmarket, Suffolk. Brewer sold a half share in the colt to Blanton, and the pair owned him in partnership, although Brewer was usually listed as his official owner. Racing career 1879: two-year-old season Robert the Devil was unbeaten in two races as a two-year-old. His more significant win came on his debut at Goodwood in late July, when he beat Dora and Edelweiss in a Rous Memorial Stakes valued at £2,067 He did not reappear until the autumn when he won the £212 First October Stakes at Newmarket. He attracted enough attention to go into the winter break as a leading contender for the following year's Epsom Derby, being the 8/1 second favourite behind Bend Or. 1880: three-year-old season Spring Robert the Devil continued to attract support for the Derby, being a popular choice among professional gamblers and on 6 March his odds were reported as 100/15 (approximately 6.7-1). Robert the Devil made his first appearance of the season in a £575 Biennial Stakes at Newmarket on April 13 for which he started odds-on favourite against eight opponents. Ridden by Tom Cannon, he was beaten a head by Apollo, to whom he was conceding four pounds, after a "very exciting race" with the pair finishing well clear. The defeat caused his odds