Briseis

Brisēís (/braɪˈsiːɪs/; Greek: Βρισηΐς, pronounced [brisɛːís]; also known as Hippodameia Greek: Ἱπποδάμεια, [hippodámeːa]) was a mythical queen in Asia Minor at the time of the Trojan War. Her character lies at the heart of a dispute between Achilles and Agamemnon that drives the plot of Homer's Iliad.

Story

In Greek Mythology, Briseis, a daughter of Briseus, was a princess of Lyrnessus. Briseis was said to have had golden long hair, blue eyes, and fair skin and she was considered to be very beautiful and clever. Her husband was Mynes. When Achilles led the assault on that city during the Trojan War, she was captured and her family (including her father, mother, three brothers, and husband) died at his hands. She was subsequently given to Achilles as a war prize to be his concubine. In the Trojan War, captive women like Briseis were regarded as objects to be traded amongst the warriors.

Patroclus comforted Briseis in her fear of being alone among her enemies and her grief over the loss of her country, her family, and her freedom, not letting her weep. He promised to have Achilles make her his wife and that he would give a wedding feast for them on their return to Phthia after the war had ended.

Briseis (Australian horse)

Briseis foaled in 1873, was a brown Australian Thoroughbred filly that is regarded as one of the greatest mares ever foaled in Australia. As a two-year-old she won the AJC Doncaster Handicap and the weight for age (w.f.a.) AJC All Aged Stakes. Then as a three-year-old she won the VRC Victoria Derby (by 3 lengths, in record time), the Melbourne Cup (by 2 lengths) and the VRC Oaks, all within six days.

Breeding

She was a brown filly sired by Tim Whiffler (GB) out of Musidora by The Premier (GB). Tim Whiffler (GB) won the Doncaster Cup and Goodwood Cups prior to his importation into Australia. In Australia he sired 9 stakes-winners that recorded 16 stakes-wins, with Briseis being the best of his progeny by far. Musidora won the VRC Sires Produce Stakes, the VRC Queens Plate and other races. She was the dam of six winners including, Miss Jessie, 1868 (won the VRC Victoria Derby) and Sea Spray, 1870 (won VRC St Leger Stakes and South Australian St Leger Stakes). Briseis belonged to an old Colonial Family, C5, that was not accepted into the General Stud Book, but it is included in the Australian Stud Book.

Briseis (British horse)

Briseis (1804–1824) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare who won the classic Oaks Stakes at Epsom Downs Racecourse in 1807. Her win in the Oaks was her third win from as many starts, but she was beaten in her remaining three races before being retired from racing in 1808. At stud she proved to be a successful broodmare, producing several good winners including the dual classic winner Corinne. The mare's name was often spelled Briseïs.

Background

Briseis was a bay mare bred by her owner Thomas Grosvenor a cousin of Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of Westminster. Thomas Grosvenor was a career soldier who eventually attained the rank of Field Marshal: during Briseis' racing career he was usually referred to as General Grosvenor. Briseis was sired by the St Leger winner Beningbrough, who at the time was based at Middleham in Yorkshire. Beningbrough also sired the Oaks winner Oriana, the outstanding stayer and stallion Orville and the Doncaster Cup winner Scud, who in turn sired the Epsom Derby winners Sailor and Sam.