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This is my list of 10 best Irish flat racehorses of all time in order of merit
1.Sea the Stars
In terms of achievement in a single season surpassed every flat horse winning the Guineas,Derby,Eclipse and Arc.May not have won by such wide margins as some other greats but none did better in doing what was asked from him or what exactly was required as this great champion.No racehorse posessed every ingredient or quality in such perfect proportion to comprise the perfect thorougbred as Sea the Stars.Revealed spectacular acceleration to vanquish great opponents in Rip Van Vinkle,Fame to Glory.Master Craftsman,Rip Van Winkle,Youzmain,Conduit and Do Ra Mi.
2.Nijinsky
Till sport exists Nijnsky’s memories will never extinguish who was in terms of impact a ‘Jesus Christ’ to racing.1n 1970 he blazed the track like a comet to acheive what no thoroughbred ever did of winning a Triple crown in addition to an Irish Derby and King George.Had fate of facing an attack of ringworm not intervened in September Nijisnky would have almost added the Arc to his booty where he went down by a head to Sassafras.The Leger had virtually taken the toll out of this racing icon.Arguably his 1970 King George win defined thoroughbred supremacy more than any triumph in history of British racing,reminiscent of an Emperor leading a victory parade.
3.Sir Ivor
Rated by Lester Pigggot as the bets horse he had ever ridden.Possibly posessed more speed than Nijinsky and had better temperament.Displayed better finishing speed than any Irish racehorse ever creating the impact of an explosion when making his bid ,like character giving a 360 degree turn to the climax of an epic.On the basis of wins up there with the very best in 2000 Guineas,Derby and Washington International.Few horses ever have won a Washington International or it’s later equivalent after such a gruelling season.
4.Golden Fleece
Won the Epsom Derby and other races with more conviction than sire Nijinsky .Reminded one of a motor car doubling it’s speed when getting into top gear.
5.Alleged
A part of the elite band who have won the Arc in successive years but above all it was the manner he conquered his opponents.Few colts have ever displayed such remorseless ease as Alleged when wining the 1978 Arc making all the running ,reminding one of a dancer performing a waltz.
6.El Gran Senor
His 2000 Guineas win was in the Sir Ivor or Nijinsky class.Complacency by his rider cost him a certain victory in the Epsom Derby but still he went on to win the Irish Derby.In raw abilty to me in the class of best cots ever trained by Vincent o’Brien.
7.Galileo
Rarely seen colts so convincingly win a Derby,Irish Derby and King George.Simply flew away from the opposition in majestic stye in the manner of an eagle swooping .
8.Sindaar
Completed class double of winning 2 Derbies and Arc exhibiting great staying ability,courage and speed.Classical come from behind win to catch Sakhee in the last strides in 200o Derby.
9.Roberto
Spectacular win to beat the seemingly invincible Brigadier Gerard in the Benson and Hedges gold cup in addition to winning the Derby .Erratic but on his day as good as anybody.
10.The Minstrel
One of the toughest colts ever with the determination of steel.Classicaly fought like a brave soldier to win the Epsom Derby and King George.
Nice list
Would Dylan Thomas or Yeats be at number 11..?
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Ballymoss deserves a mention. The first great Flat horse trained by Vincent O’Brien. He was runner up to Crepello in the Derby before winning the Irish Derby and then the St Leger at Doncaster. The following year he won the Coronation Cup, Eclipse, King George and the Arc.
Sea The Stars number one? Beat nothing; I’d probably not even have him in my top ten. Still, it’s all about opinions.
Agree with most of these; STS (the GOAT) an obvious choice. Hard to choose from the many wonderful Ballydoyle champions
Nijinsky to me should be no 1. If he hadn’t got ringworm he’d have won the arc and be hailed as one of the best ever. El gran senor won to me the best ever Guineas so should be higher. Opinions.
Could we go back to the turn of the twentieth Century and give PRETTY POLLY a much deserved mention here
Foaled in Ireland 1901 she raced until she was 5 years old winning 15 consecutive races including being only the 5th filly to win the The Triple Crown since 1814.
When she retired to stud she succeeded in producing four fillies who continue her direct female line to the present day, the Pretty Polly family being of great importance in the stud book. Her female progeny produced among others Derby winners St. Paddy and Psidium.she lived to the grand age of 30 years.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Placed Sea the Stars above Nijinsky on grounds of temperament and consistency,being able to do absolutely what was asked for.Nijinsky may have had more natural ability and statistically may have been better.However Sea the Stars although not so emphatic,achieved what no racehorse ever did when wining the Guineas,Derby,Eclipse and Arc .Sea the Stars won in a more clinical fashion with Nijinsky at times slackening when hitting the front.Thus not as talented but a more complete racehorse than Nijinsky.
Fascinating that Lester Piggot felt overall Sir Ivor was ahead of Nijinsky.He felt Nijisnky had more raw ability but was Sir Ivor who was blessed with better temperament.
Pretty Polly was an outstanding icon,arguably bets filly ever but a British racehorse,not Irish.Foaled in Ireland,but trained in Britain.This list only considers horses trained on Irish soil.
Sea the Stars did not win with he greatest authority or reveal the most spectacular acceleration but achieved what no racehorse did i 2009 with wins in a single season in the Guineas Derby,Champion Stakes,Eclipse,Juddmonte stakes and the Arc.Mill Reef won by wider margins,Nijinsky or Dancing Brave were more spectacular movers,but none equalled the clinical efficiency of Sea the Stars who did what was required or asked for to perfection.Also remember his fast times in the Eclipse and Champion stakes and overall versatility.Also beat some class colts like Youzmain,Master Craftsman,Rip Van Winkle and Conduit.Remember how racing changed since the days of Nijinsky and Mill Reef.
“Pretty Polly was an outstanding icon,arguably bets filly ever but a British racehorse,not Irish.Foaled in Ireland,but trained in Britain.This list only considers horses trained on Irish soil”.
Sorry harshtakor I thought the ‘foaled in Ireland’ would qualify Pretty Polly but she’s still worthy of a mention for her great contribution via her progeny to the thoroughbred stud book as it stands today.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Giants Causeway must have been snapping at some heels here. Epic battles with top drawer Kalanisi (miss the Aga Khan runners over here
) and arguably jockey error cost him the Breeders Cup Classic.BUY THE SUN
High Chaparral had a good record but lost the Arc
Sired Toronado so I’d have him on there for that alone..Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
) and arguably jockey error cost him the Breeders Cup Classic.- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.