Lot Essay
The 1852 Derby winner Daniel O'Rourke by Birdcatcher out of Forget-Me-Knot was bred by John Bowes of Streatlam Castle. He also bred the Derby winners Mundig (1840) and West Australian (1850). Daniel O'Rourke was considered to be the most compact of the Birdcatcher family and he inherited their trademark tail with it's white hairs at it's base. After a successful record on the turf Daniel O'Rourke was purchased by Sir Tatton Sykes and was retired to the Sledmere stud.