Apology (horse)
Apology (1871–1888) was a British Thoroughbred racemare who was the third winner of the Fillies' Triple Crown, winning the Epsom Oaks, 1,000 Guineas Stakes and St. Leger Stakes in 1874. Apology was bred and owned by the Reverend John William King, the vicar of Ashby de la Launde, whose ownership of the mare caused a minor scandal in the Church after Apology won the St. Leger Stakes. King ultimately had to resign his clerical appointments due to the scandal and died shortly thereafter of a chronic illness. Apology raced until she was five years old, winning the Ascot Gold Cup in 1876. She was retired from racing at the end of 1876 to become a broodmare initially for the widow of John King, and then for Clare Vyner. Apology was euthanised in 1888 after an extended illness.
Background
Apology was bred by the Reverend John William King, who owned her during her racing career. King was the vicar of Ashby de la Launde and had inherited his father Colonel Neville King's Thoroughbred stud and racing stables at the death of his elder brother. Rev. King lived at Ashby Hall in Lincolnshire and raced his horses under the nom de course "Mr. Launde" from 1861 until his death in 1875.