- This topic has 19 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 4 months ago by
.
- Posts
This is my list in order of merit of the best British national hunt racehorses of all time,excluding those trained in Ireland or anywhere else.
1.Golden Miller
Only steeplechaser ever who has won 5 cheltenham Hold cups as well as a Grand National and Cheltenham Gold cup in the same year.Simply earned immortality and still experts rate the Miller as the greatest of all chasers.In 1935 defeated Thommond 2 in the hardest possible going and won the national in Course record time.In terms of achievements Golden Miller reached mythical proportions which probably no chaser will ever emulate.Stood out more against his contemporaries very marginally than the likes of Kauto Star.No British trained Chaser equalled the authority or domination of Golden Miller.He lived till the ripe age of 30 unlike many superstar jumpers.
2.Kauto Star
In terms of raw ability or class ahead of Golden Miller and arguably even a whisker above the immortal Arkle if you asess opposition,change in fences and racing conditions.Unlike Arkle did not have such a great win-loss ratio,did not win bearing burden of such huge handicaps nor jumped fences as well as Arkle.Not rated at the top because he did not win more than 2 Cheltenham gold cups or won a Grand National like Golden Miller.Won 23 of his 41 races winning now fewer that 16 grade won races.The only chaser ever to win group one races in 5 consecutive seasons.
Mercilessly destroyed his rivals to win the 2007 Gold Cup by a long looking 17 lengths,inspite of a minor mishap at the last fence.No horse ever vanquished his rivals into such submission or treated rivals with as much contempt in the King George .In 2007 he pulled away from Exotic Dancer ,in 2008 he won in a waltz from Our Vic and in 2008 coasted home 8 lengths clear from Alberta’s Run. In all these races ironically he faltered and almost was brought to mishap at the last.His 2009 King George win took racing achievement to regions of divinty when he won by 36 lengths,which he won 5 times.
3.Red Rum
Equivalent of a Muhammd Ali or King Alexandra to the Grand National .For 5 consecutive years completed the national either finishing 1st or 2nd,without putting a foot wrong,which is unprecedented and will probably never be matched.Red Rum took endurance to regions of divinty in all his 3 triumphs.Even when beaten he was 1st after the last jump.No chaser took relentlessness to such majestic heights as he displayed when catching Crisp in the last stride in 1973,when pulling away to beat L’Escargot in 1974 and when coasting to a record 25 length win in 1977.
Arguably no racehorse ever received more adulation as Red Rum reminiscent of a great emperor.
4.Desert Orchid
Took perfection or versatility in a chaser to regions of the Mighty Arkle .The ultimate epitome of energy in a chaser to ressurect from the depths of despair in a race.Few racehorses were so deeply loved or earned as much public adoration.His racing style posessed a characteristic beauty or majestic grace that captured the eye of a connoisseur . He won 34 of his 70 starts and 27 of his 50 races over fences ,including an Irish Grand National,Gold cup and 4 King George 6th chases.
The 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup was the most defining moment of Dessie’s career .Here he exhibited the courage of a soldier rising like a phoenix from the Ashes to overpower rival Yahoo.Carrying topweight Desert Orchid was at his best in the Victor Chandler Chase Here he conceded 22 lb to Panto Prince 23 lb and Vodkatini and stil prevailed by a head from Panto Prince.
5.Mill House
Had he not raced in the era of Arkle may well have been the best of all post-war chasers.To his credit recorded Brilliant victories in the Cheltenham and Hennesy Gold cup before Arkle burst on to the scene.A back injury aggravated his fortunes after 1963.Had the distinction of beating Arkle in the 1963 Hennessy Gold cup and again beating him in 1967 being conceded immense weight.Won 15 of his 30 races .Arguably much closer to Arkle,than the racing margins revealed.
His racing carer ended in an emotional finale with a spectacular triumph in the Whitbread Gold Cup where he revealed class and courgae at its supreme height.Mill House received the deserved adulation in the winner’s enclosure,like a famous statesman being greeted.
6.Best Mate
Ressurected the spirit of the immortal Arkle to win 3 consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups to become one of the best loved characters ever on the British turf.Few chasers of recent times have blended class with such relentless courage,which is the hallmark of a true champion.
In his 1st Gold cup win Best Mate warded of a challenge from former winner See More Business and Commanche Court to prevail by 1 and three quarters of a length.
His 2nd Gold Cup win in 2003 by a margin of 10 lengths over Marlborough , was amongst the best ever in a gold cup when he treated his rivals with contempt rarely ever exhibited in the history of the race.
In 2004 he captured his 3rd crown but only after being stretched to his limit by Sir Rembrandt and Harbour Pilot who were piloted to tactically outmanouvre the star.In this race it was courage that was the trumpcard of Best Mate which enabled him to stave of any challenge and prevail by only half a length at the winning post.
7.Night Nurse
The best of all hurdlers in terms of sheer class.Night Nurse was amongst the boldest front running jumpers and most comfortable when setting the pace..No hurdler looked as majestic as Night Nurse when coasting home who even conquered the legendary Monksfield.It also had relentless courage which was displayed in the 1977 Templegate Hurdle when dead hating with Monksfield.Impressive as a chaser when fining 2nd in the 1981 Gold Cup and wining some top chasing events.
In 9 seasons won 32 out of his 64 races, and 19 out f 32 hurdles.Night Nurse gained a timeform rating of 182,the highest ever for a hurdler.He also in 1979 surpassed Red Rum’s record prize money earnings for a British jumper.
8.Denman
The ultimate powerhouse of steeplechasing who even defeated Kauto Star twice in a Gold Cup.No chaser ever gave an icon like Kauto Star such a run for his money.Denman twice carried massive weights to win the Hennessy Gold Cup and won a Cheltenham Gold cup with remorseless conviction in 2008,even conquering Kauto Star.He was not the most elegant or graceful runners with power being his main trumpcard.
In an epic duel got the better over Kauto in 2011 Gold Cup but went down to Long Run.Neverthless beat his old rival by 7 lengths
9.Bula
Few ever won champion Hurdles as emphatically or displayed such inherent superiority over hurdlers as Bula.In 1971 won the Hurdlers crown by 4 lengths from the mighty Persian War and in the flooiwng yaer in 1972 doubled the winning margin.In the run in Bula displayed acceleration at its absolute zenith,like a motorcar speeding.
Bula wa sunbeaten in his first 13 hurdle races,and lost his 14th start because of an unfortunate error at he last,which forced him out of contention.
Not so brilliant over fences but still managed to finish 3rd in 1975 Gold Cup and defeat Tingle’s Creek at Sandown.Commendable that he won 13 of his 25 races over obstacles and 34 out of his 51 races overall.
10.Persian War
Achieved the feat of winning a hatrick of champion hurdles in succession .Won on every kind of going and blended courage and class in perfect balance.
Persian war emerged a comfortable winner in his 1st champion Hurdle warding off the challenge by defeating former winners Saucy Kit as well as Salmon Spray. Won his 2nd title from the depths of despair after an injury causing a fracture in the femur.At the bend he still lay 4 lengths behind Drumikill.Still he superbly ressurected himself to storm up the hill to triumph by 4 lengths from Drumikill.His final win was one of racing’s most emotional moments,where he revealed courage in regions of the sublime.With the tenacity of a soldier he thwarted of the challenge by Major Rose,capturing the lead 5 hurdles out.
11.Burrough Hill Lad
One of the most versatile chasers to ever stride the turf.Posessed the class to win a King George,the immense reserves of staminat o win the Welsh National and the relentless couruage to overcome top handicappers in a Hennesy gold cup .Apart from Arkle and Mill Hoise the only horse to win the Hennesy Gold Cup and King George.
Won an unforgettable Gold cup in 1984 when overpowering Wayward Lad and thwarting off contest for supremacy from Brown Chamberlain and Drumlargan .Mustered all the adrelanin possible to coast home down the hil to win by 3 lengths.
In the Hennessy Gold Cup bore the burden of 12 stone to win with the utmost conviction by 4 lengths.There is hardly an adjective that can do just to the manner he flew away from his rivals after the second last,making them look like leaves tossed in a gale.Amongst those he beat included Sun Allinace Chase winner Canny Danny ,Drumlargan and previous years runner up Gaye Chance.
12.Sea Pigeon
Took versatility to a height never revealed by an English hurdler wining flat races like the Tote Ebor handicap in addition to 2 champion hurdles.No horse made the great Monksfield run the race for his life like the Pigeon did in the 1978 and 79 Champion Hurdle nor mercilessly crush his adversary as in the 1980 Champion Hurdle.
13.Mandarin
Combined speed with tenacity and courage as few chasers ever did to constitute the perfect chaser.His victories included the Hennesy Gold cup,King George 6th chase,Cheltenham Gold cup and French Grand national.
Won the French Grand National with the couragae of an army battalion resurrecting from the grave to reach the pinnacle of glory.After being 7 lengths behind the leader 2 out the Mandarin with Fred Winter flew like a plane taking of a runaway to snatch the lead.a Simply the ultimate embodiment of courage after the bit had broken in the horse’s mouth.It could take a seperate book to do justice in describing the sheer sensationalism of his performance,which was the equivalent of an epic.
In the 1962 Gold cup he triumphed inspite of being affected by a series of injuries.In the run in he went past Ireland’s Fortria.
Won the 1957 Hennesy Gold cup by 3 lengths from Linwell ,displaying great fortitude .4 years later won the same race with a spectacular leap at the last to leave challenger Olympia in the cold.
14.Silver Buck
Although amongst the best ever performers in the King George ,the most defining moment of Silver Buck’s career was in the 1981 Cheltenham Gold Cup.Few horses ever treated the rivals with more disdain in the plum races or won a gold cup against such a competitive field.In favourable conditions was likely to have won the 1980 and 81 Gold Cups,being withdrawn in 1980 and becoming a victim of heavy going in 1981 to finish 3rd when looking to cruse home.
15.Pendil
Probably the best horse ever never to win the Gold Cup who twice came within the threshold or brink of capturing the elusive Blue Riband.Nevertheless won the King George VIth chase 3 times with authority rarely revealed in national hunt racing.One of the most spectacular jumpers ever who took jumping aesthetic to heights of the sublime.
Again, Red Rum is there on achievement and not merit. He has no place whatsoever in any top ten based on ability… except, perhaps, ability to stay and jump for four and a half miles!
@Gladiateur Did Not Red Rum acheive glory unprecedented -No horse may ever achieve what he did-immortality in Grand National history.
What about my other rankings which I have just revised?Kindly comment.
Good list but I think Best Mate is much too high. OK, he win three Gold Cups but it was in a very weak era for steeple chasing.
His best win was his first. In his second, Beef or Salmon fell at the third. He really did not have much to beat. It was Truckers Tavern in second (not Marlborough, who was unplaced) and Harbour Pilot in third. And, as you say, he only scrambled home in the third against Sir Rembrandt (who was beaten much further in the 2005 Gold Cup by Kicking King, who I believe would have beaten Best Mate).
I am also not sure he was a “best loved character”. We hardly ever saw him! Best Mate began that regrettable trend of horses being wrapped up in cotton wool just for Cheltenham which has had such a bad effect on the NH season. Look at some of the other horses on the list – they raced often and thrived on it, which was why the public loved them.
I think I would have Sprinter Sacre in there despite his health problems. He wiped the floor with some good yardsticks both before and after his problems – all seemingly effortlessly.
Not rated at the top because he did not win more than one Gold Cup
His 2009 King George win took racing achievement to regions of divinty when he won by 36 lengths,which he won 4 times
Kauto won 2 Gold Cups and 5 KGs so maybe he should be No. 1
Kauto also won the 2006 Tingle Creek before winning his first Gold Cup three months later. He brushed aside a good two miler in Voy Por Ustedes like he was not there.
Kauto Star was one of the 1st horses I saw run and it didn’t take a lot to see he was very special
Sprinter Sacre was a beautiful big boy who stood head and shoulders above anything to look at. A blind man would have him pick of the paddock.Charles Darwin to conquer the World
Thanks a lot @homersimpson .Made correction on Kauto Star’s number of Gold cup and King George wins.Still feel Golden Miller was better on basis of winning 5 Gold cups as well as a national and Gold cup in same year.Also carried topweight to win in record times.On achievement ahead of Kauto,who ofcourse had more racing ability.
Would you place Kauto at no 1.?Ahead of Arkle and Golden Miller?
I will check on sacre.appreciate.
@Nathan Hughes Readers here would you basically place Kauto at the top?
Just a small point harshthakor, Pendil won just the 2 King George’s. He would have won the same number of Gold Cup’s with a decent jockey on board.
I was a bit of a late comer Harshthakor to the racing scene so difficult to judge for me with the older generation but he will always be number 1 for me.
Charles Darwin to conquer the World
I think debates around these sort of lists ( while making highly enjoyable reading) can depend on how words such as ‘best’ and ‘greatest’ are interpreted. Some may see them as meaning the same but I’d put ‘best’ as relating to pure weights and measures merit, with ‘ greatest’ relating to achievements.
Thus if it was a list of the ‘greatest’ I’d have Rummy and Golden Miller at the top, while for ‘best’ I’d not have Rummy anywhere on the list and could make out a case for any of Golden Miller, Dessie, Kauto, Night Nurse, to be at the top with the likes of Badsworth Boy and Sprinter Sacre possibly making the cut.
I’d probably just have Silver Buck off the list though he was one of my favourites – I saw him in the flesh several times, even when winning a hurdle race with Michael Dickinson aboard. I also created his Wiki page a couple of years back as I thought it was an injustice he never had one.@Cancello On basis of pure class in order who would be your top 3? Meaning ‘best’ as you refer it.appreciate.
If it was chasers only I’d have Kaito, Dessie and Golden Miller in any order though with the latter the gap in the years makes it difficult to have a strong degree of confidence. It it was hurdlers I would have Night Nurse from either Comedy of Errors or Persian War – though while I’m old enough to remember Comedy of Errors ( my first form book was the 74/75 NH season), my Persian War knowledge is only on what I’ve picked up from reading and watching the limited videos available.
Pendil would also have been a 2 mile champion; I remember him beating Tingle Creek comfortably at Sandown. Connections obviously preferred the more prestigious target, tho don’t think he’d have beaten Captain Christy that year; on his day (unpredictable) the Captain was unbeatable.
I would say that Golden Miller should be top of any list of British AND Irish trained NH horses based on both overall career and highest rated single performance. Writing at the peak of Arkle’s dominance the racing historian and journalist Roger Mortimer said: “No single victory of Arkle’s equals in sheer merit Golden Miller’s win in the 1934 Grand National in record time”.
In general one must not afford less favour to the extreme distance of the GN compared to that of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, nobody ever decreed that 3 1/4m (or 3m or 2m) was the optimum distance at which a horse’s ability should be measured. On the contrary the origins of steeplechasing saw horses race over much further than 4m 4f, therefore, if anything, the Liverpool trip has been the ultimate test since 1836. Neither can the GN be denigrated because, since 1843, it has been a handicap. It was regarded as the supreme test well into the 1950s and it is the case that status has been automatically conferred on horses racing off level weights at Prestbury Park sometimes to the detriment of those performing superbly under a big weight at Aintree. That’s not to say that, especially since the 1970s, the quality of the GN field hasn’t declined.
I would rate Golden Miller a few pounds ahead of Kauto Star and Arkle. Crisp (who won the Queen Mother easily) produced in the 1973 GN a performance on par with The Miller’s in that race but despite his versatility his overall career was not as enduring as the former’s. Crisp, strictly at the weights, emerged 22lbs superior to Red Rum in 1973 but Rummy improved to wind up only 4 behind Golden Miller and Crisp based on his imperious romp in 1977. L’Escargot I rate equal to Rummy based on his performance in the 1975 GN (which has been mentioned on the other thread). That was the only time The Snail was specifcally trained for the National and he is a typical example of a horse who, having won the CGC in 70 and 71, lost some of his speed and needed 4m 4f to produce his very best by 75. He is the only other horse, apart from The Miller, to have won both the GN and CGC and also threw in an Irish GN for good measure.
Two chasers who rate probably closer to Desert Orchid than Denman are Troytown (who I also mentioned in regard to your Irish list and whom broke a leg at Auteil a few months after his Aintree triumph when still a 7-y-o) and Reynoldstown whose better performance came not in the first of his two GN wins in 1935, when he beat Golden Miller’s time by 1/5 of a second whilst carrying 12lbs less and winning less easily on going that was by all accounts quicker than that of 1934; course record stood until beaten by Crisp, but in the 1936 renewal when he was pushed out to beat the runner-up, Ego, by 12 lengths conceding 22lbs. Apart from Prince Regent and Early Mist (again mentioned before) others that might appear towards the bottom of your lists are: Lottery, The Lamb, Disturbance, Seaman, Cloister, Jerry M, Easter Hero, Thomond, Royal Mail, Devon Loch, Freebooter, Teal and Poethlyn.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.