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Hello all
Now that the festival is upon us perhaps it is time to remember a forgotten hero.
The Bula Hurdle was “stolen” from us by Boylesports aka Spoilsports a few years back and currently goes under the guise of The International. I have been in correspondence over the years with several people regarding this matter. It caused great outrage by the press at the time “selling the family silver”
To his credit only Mr Kelly CEO at the current sponsor Stan James has given favourable response and says they will review this. Jeff Randall also mentioned his support. Others have just offered their best wishes (they don’t care really). I blame Edward Gillespie for all this as it happened on his “watch.” I feel that he sold Bula down the river. I have a small list of others not responding who I shall name at a later date. They call themselves racing fans.
All the other greats still have names retained ie Arkle, Pendil, Desert Orchid, Lanzarote, Red Rum and Persian War to name a few.
I was wondering, I have my own plans for December, should Mr Kelly have his hands tied on this by Cheltenham marketing forces, whether any of you guys have any useful ideas or thoughts on this.
Just to remind you Bula won two Champion Hurdles here (both easily) won 34 of his 51 races almost never unplaced, was the best dual purpose horse ever unlucky not to win the 1975 GC and his record of 13 wins on the trot stood for 40 years.
He gave his life on this course in 1977…… is this how we repay a true Cheltenham champion.
Thank you for reading
Geoff
Bula11
What’s your connection with Bula? I just wonder why it’s such an emotive issue for you?
I'd like to live in a place where they cordon off swans...Hello Burroughill
No personal connection. The horse grabbed my attention as a young lad. It had character. The most exciting finisher you would ever see…last to first on numerous occasions……had amazing burst of speed…still not seen one like it especially its Benson & Hedges Hurdle win 1970 handicapped to the hilt as a novice against class stuff (you tube). It hooked me then. This horse was a legend around Cheltenham. I even camped out 2 miles from the course in March ’72 to watch it win its second CH…it was freezing. I know the younger generation didn’t see these things but without these horses the sport would be nothing. I personally think Cheltenham Festival has become a money thing for hangers on…..the whole nature of it like Blackpool (no disrespect). prefer point to point now….back to the basics.
BTW whats yours with Burroughill….I watched that good horse win the ’84 GC but unfortunately backed Brown Chamberlain in the race.
All the best
Bula11
I can understand your affection for any particular horse. I’ve become attached to many over the years, but particularly Burrough Hill Lad.
I can’t remember the exact details because it was so long ago, but my husband and I had a day out and we visited a restaurant at Burrough on the Hill for a cup of tea. All around the walls were photos of a racehorse, obviously BHL, but this was in the very early days before he had any success or was well known. I believe the restaurant owner owned him, but I can’t remember. Anyway, long story short, I decided to follow him to see if he did ok and well…..he did! I’d never placed a bet in my life, nor been to Cheltenham, so obviously I had to go when he was entered for the GC! My husband and I put £10 on at 9/2, but hey, the thrill of seeing the horse I’d followed from nothing win the greatest race in the country was worth way more than any winnings. Happy days!
I'd like to live in a place where they cordon off swans...I am all for retaining race titles but Bula wasn’t really a top class chaser. I would have thought the likes of Night Nurse and Dawn Run transferred a greater level of ability to the larger obstacles.
I am all for retaining race titles but Bula wasn’t really a top class chaser. I would have thought the likes of Night Nurse and Dawn Run transferred a greater level of ability to the larger obstacles.
Is that relevant? The race is a hurdle.
The authorities should ensure as many as these races keep their titles as possible, especially with sponsors changing every 2 or 3 years in many cases.Hello Stilvi
My post wasn’t really to get into a debate into which horse was better than that but here we go.
Dawn Run was a fine mare whose claim to fame is the CH/GC double and fatally injured unfortunately in France I think. Her record does not stand anywhere near Bula’s as a hurdler. I seem to recall she won the CH receiving weight allowance winning from a 100/1 outsider Mole Board I think trained by Jim Old. With regard to her chase career the only notable race win was the Gold Cup whereas Bula who only started his chase career about 8/9 years old won the Black and White/Benson & Hedges/Sundew/Gainsborough/Fairlawne/Blue Circle chases all recognised class races when well past his best, an ageing horse. He hammered the great Tingle Creek at levels I recall on Tingles own patch Sandown.
He wiped the floor twice with Red Rum I think. What kind of chaser would he really have been starting at 6 y o!!Now night Nurse is a different kettle of fish….the slickest jumper of a hurdle you ever saw and a slick chaser who met his match in Silver Buck.
Night Nurse is the one horse I would have been nervous of taking on at their peaks over hurdles but I am sure Bula would have nailed him for speed. I admired Night Nurse especially his dead heat at Aintree. Like Bula he was a better hurdler than chaser.
BTW wasn’t Stilvi a good flat horse trained by Bruce Hobbs ridden by John Gorton. I have a photo of the horse in one of my wallets somewhere circa 1971 ish
Bula11
Yes Burroughill…..a powerful horse was that ….Denman type…big and powerful….a proper chaser. Will never forget that Hennessey/King George double.
To be honest I had forgotten the stature this horse is due from myself as selfishly when you back the wrong one like I did that day in following Brown Chamberlain I was biased which isnt fair to the winner. I hold up my hands.
Nice story you told.
Whilst on this…..where praise is due L’escargot is the most underated jump horse ever.
Bula11
Back to the original subject, I too think it’s a shame when races lose their commemorative names. If a race is named in memory of a special horse, it should keep that name for posterity. If it does end up being sponsored hy a company, why can’t it still keep the horse’s name in the title? E.g. The Poundland Bula Hurdle
I'd like to live in a place where they cordon off swans...Um, Dawn Run beat Cima in 84 but he was indeed trained by Jim Old.
I agree with you though; the great horses should be remembered. That includes Night Nurse, Monksfield and Best Mate too. I’d love to see the Bula restored.
Bula was indeed a top class Chaser: he ran a fine race in desperate ground (I was there that day) to finish 3rd to Ten Up in the 1975 Gold Cup. In the 1976 running, he started 6/4 fav (ran an unusually poor race).
One of my abiding memories is the silence which fell over the betting shop I was in when he suffered his first defeat in his 14th race (2nd to I’m Happy).
I don’t know how inflation would reflect his total prize money won after 34 victories: £69,672
A remarkable horse, regularly raced, as many were back then. Fond memories
……the great horses should be remembered. That includes Night Nurse, Monksfield and Best Mate too. I’d love to see the Bula restored.
Totally agree with that. Of the modern stars, we already have Denman commemorated in the Denman Chase, but do we have a race named after Kauto Star? Not that I’m aware of it.
yes faux pas there about Mole Board and Cima…should have checked…knew it was 100/1 and trained by Jim Old but harder to remember the runners up after all this time. Thanks for your comment …..The Bula has a ring to it
Bula11
Steeplechasing Wise advice about being drawn in…..had to defend my hero of those days.
Interesting comment you make about the betting shop. The day you mentioned I had just finished work and popped in to see the result….I was devastated….his first run of the season……mistake at the last cost him…short head I think giving lumps away…think it would have been 17 straight wins but for that short head including two champion hurdles.
I also remember the same shock the following summer when Brigadier got beat…..popped my head in ….couldn’t believe it.Was there both days you mention 75 and 76 atrocious ground 75 the worst I have ever seen…do you recall racing was abandoned immediately after..also the 76 run was the worst I ever saw him run…he was getting on run off his legs by the young in form Royal Frolic.
I couldn’t believe a man of Edward Gillespie’s experience telling me that the name is defunct with the modern audience. Fair play he courteously replied a couple of times but he is missing the point. Cheltenham was made from the likes of these horses. What is wrong with the Bula International Hurdle sponsored by ……..?
Bula11
Hi Bula11. 1975 was my first ever trip to Cheltenham. I went specifically to see Ten Up as I’d been betting him steadily ante-post having watched him win the 1974 Sun Alliance. I went home to Scotland on the train soaked to the skin but happy, and happy also that they’d abandoned the remainder of the meeting after the GC, otherwise hypothermia might have prevented me collecting my winnings.
And you’re right, the defeat of the Brigadier at York was received with the same incredulity in ‘my’ betting shop. Long time ago now, but remembered as though it were yesterday :)
And, by the way, I think Many Clouds has a profile much the same as Royal Frolic had, and he’s exceptional value for the Gold Cup
Hello Mr Steeplechasing
arrived on the Tuesday 1975 with a mate and was told the entire meeting was off so we headed to the south coast to see a mate…stopping at basingstoke we called in a shop…..it was back on with altered card for weds/thurs so we watched Comedy of E win in hotel in London and went on the Thurs….as you say a total washout after.
Dont know if you recall this but that Feb the ascot meeting was run midweek (now Saturday) and I told some non gamblers at work 3 Irish ones were over so they had a treble with me. All 3 won. Brown Lad/Davy Lad and Ten Up. They all became top horses as you know Davy Lad winning GC in that ill fated 1977 (Lanzarote killed) bad meeting for Fred W was that as he also lost Bula from injury falling in Champion 2 miler. Bula should have been retired in 1975 after that GC. I would have backed Ten Up but my heart wanted Bula. My mate said two out “calm down” its cantering….it was but the ground, mistake and distance found him out. My mate is a huge Pendil and Night Nurse fan (he is Scottish)
Can I ask you a question…..I got infatuated with Golden Miller a couple of years ago and his owner the character DP….but have recently come across CLOISTER in depth as I like point to point now and this horse ran at Tarporley Cheshire one day in the 1890’s. Have you come across his record. He was unbelievable……carried 13 st+ regular at main meetings won national 1893 in canter 40l broke course record 12st 7lb. Also grand sefton twice canter 12/7 +welsh nat. Those days they said he was the greatest ever. also 2nd nat twice won 19 from 35 huge weights
Bula11
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