Was Stewball a Real Horse?

The horse was foaled in 1741 and originally owned by Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin, and later sold. His name has been recorded as "Squball", "Sku-ball", or "Stewball". ... His most famous race took place on the plains of Kildare, Ireland, which is generally the subject of the song of the same name.

Is Stewball a work song?

According to John and Alan Lomax in "American Ballads and Folk Songs", the ballad was converted into a work song by slaves -- which is supported by the version of the lyrics published in their book. "Skewball" apparently became "Stewball" after the song migrated to the United States.

When was Stewball was a racehorse written?

The song apparently originated as a ballad about a high stakes race occurring in the Curragh in Kildare, Ireland, in March 1752, which Skewball won.” The website gives a date of 1784 for the song, noting that the date “is for the oldest broadside identified of the ballad . . .