2nd, after Maria, beating Whim (gr.f. by Drone), and eight others Challenge Stakes: 2nd, after Whim, beating Maria November Mulgrave Handicap: 3rd, after winner Water Witch (bl.f. by Sir Hercules) and Blackfoot (b.c. by Young Blacklock), beating Fusileer (ch.c. by The Colonel), Whim, and three other entries October Mulgrave Handicap: unplaced, won by Langford followed by Whim Four-year-old ~raced exclusively at the Curragh Kildare Stakes: won, beating Thump (b.c. Humphrey Clinker), Aigirio (gr.c. Roller), Quicksilver, and two others King's Plate: Croughpatrick (br.c. Blacklock) and five others Wellington Stakes: won (walked over) April Challenge Stakes: 2nd, after Blackfoot, beat four others King's Plate: 2nd to Freney King's Plate: 3rd, after winner Harkaway, and Gipsy (bl.f. Sir Hercules) September Challenge Stakes: 3rd, after winner Mercury (gr.c. Drone), and Austerlitz (br.c. Napoleon) Wellington Stakes: unplaced, won by Harkaway Doris Stakes: unplaced, won by Maria Stud record The stallion retired to stud at his place of foaling, Brownstown, beginning his breeding career as a five-year-old in 1838. Birdcatcher's first crop of foals did well, and he was moved to Barrow's Paddock in Newmarket for 1846 and 1847, before he was leased for 1848 and 1849 to Easby Abbey in Yorkshire. The stallion then returned home to Brownstown for 1850, and was sent back to England for the 1852 season, and returned home to Ireland for the 1859 season. Birdcatcher's English offspring did well, and earned him the Champion Sire title for 1852 and 1856. He was among the top sires 15 times during his breeding career. Birdcatcher was the first Irish-bred stallion to sire winners of English classic races, including seven offspring accounting for three St. Leger wins, two One Thousand Guineas wins, and a win at the Derby and the Oaks. Birdcatcher also founded two male lines, one with Oxford, and another with The Baron, from whom most Thoroughbreds descend today. Birdcatcher sired: The death of Birdcatcher Despite his success as a sire Birdcatcher met with an undeserved execution after he was unable to cover a mare. His death was accounted by Patrick Connolly. "Among the mares sent to the son of Sir Hercules that year was Mr. Michael Dunne's Queen Bee. She was a mare of good size, and when Birdcatcher attempted to serve her, he failed to do so. Mr. Disney, who owned the stallion, thereupon decided that he should no longer survive. At once a messenger was dispatched to the