It seems Pilgrim had a superb pedigree and won many races. At seven years old, he was now available as a stud.
“To cover this season, at Two Guineas and a Crown each Mare
The property of Mr. R. Loyde and Mr. T. Butterfield.
Pilgrim was got by Restless; his dam, Rosaletta, by Nabob; grandam, Rosetta, by Shafto’s Squirrel; great grandam, Rose, by Blank; great great grandam called Look at me Lads, by Grasshopper; Newton’s Arabian, Old Put, Saint Martin’s, Sir Edward Hale’s Turk, out of the Oldfield mare.
Restless was got by Phaenomenon, out of Mr. Burdon’s Duchess, which was allowed to be the best mare England ever produced.
Pilgrim in 1800 (the first time of his running, and then 3 years old) was beat at Chester, by Collector, for a sweepstakes of 15 gs. each, 12 subscribers, he beating the same time Dick Andrews; (which is now allowed to be the best horse in the kingdom), Britannia, and Kill-Devil; and the day following he won the £50 for all ages, at three severe four-mile heats, beating collector, Gift, Prosper, Lord Howe, and Astark; and won a sweepstakes at Litchfield of 100 gs. each, h. ft. for 3-year-olds, beating Mr. Arison’s colt, by Overton – In 1801 he won the cup, value £30, at Chester, at three four-mile heats, beating Dapple, Tityrus, and Magnight; and £50 at Manchester, beating a chestnut filly by Buzzard, Ambo, and Babalon. – In 1802 he won a sweepstake at Ludlow’s of 10 gs. each (with 20 gs. added), 4 miles, 5 subscribers, betting Meteor and Frolic; and the day following he won £50 at three four-mile heats, beating Dapple, Meteor and Frolic; and Mr. Phillips’ Rolla. – In 1803 he won a sweepstekes (sic) at Ludlow, of 10 gs. each (with 20 gs added). 5 subscribers, beating Dapple, and a brown filly by Marske; and the gold cup, value 65 gs. at Chesterfield, beating Rival Fieldfare, and Meteor; and £50 at Warwick, at two four-mile heats, beating Pyrrhus, Knutsford, Eliza, and Galloper.
He is now rising 7 years old, and free from all blemishes; a good black, without white; full 15 hands 2 1/2 inches high, with great substance, and remarkable good action; and for soundness and constitution must be equal to any horse in the kingdom, for the time he was in training, besides other different lengths, he run in England and Wales forty-one four mile heats, during which time he was never known to be lame.
*** He will attend at Louth on Wednesdays, Wragby on Thursdays, Lincoln on Fridays, and Caistor on Saturdays; and will travel in that circuit during the season.”
The Stamford Mercury, 2nd, March, 1804.