Hermit, a chestnut Racehorse, with John Daley up, at Epsom

Hermit was foaled in 1864 by Newminster out of Seclusion by Tadmor. As a yearling he was sold for 1,000 guineas to Henry Chaplin, later Viscount Chaplin, for whom he won the 1867 Derby. The race is legendary as Lord Hastings, who had eloped with Mr Chaplin's fiancée, a famous beauty, bet against Hermit to the extent of losing over £100,000. Hermit was outstandingly successful at stud, being champion stallion each year from 1880 to 1886.