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So very sad. Absolutely loved this horse…
The greatest chaser of my time but not only that, the most charismatic horse you could ever hope to see
Very sad news – I saw him in the flesh once a couple of years ago when he was at a fair age and he still looked absolutely magnificent.
Great racehorse and a tremendous advertisement for the sport of racing.
Sad news…it was a privilege for me to watch him in the flesh on several occasions at Exeter, Wincanton and Cheltenham. It was great to see him do what he did best, racing at every opportunity. There was no wrapping in cotton wool for Dessie!<br>
Totally agree. Fantastic horse who loved his job. I’m sure brought more people into racing than any other horse. Dont think we should be sad though, he’s had a cracking life and retirement.
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I loved Desrt Orchid to bits, but can’t have all this doom and gloom.<br> A wonderful and consistent horse, brilliant from 2m to 3m6, won everything before him, retired to an excellent home which he left frequently to lead any number of parades always looking as fit as a flea, and wrote in his own name into steeplechasing history.<br>Thankfully, I saw him race on a couple of occasions, have seen him a number of times since, and will always be grateful that I was around at the same time as he. <br> Celebrate what he was, and what he did, and thank your lucky stars that you knew him.
I wuz there when he won his Gold Cup, and the place was electric during and after the race.<br>An absolutely wonderful racehorse, rarely do his like come along. I have my memories and he (along with Arkle and Red Rum) graces my front room wall, behind my PC. He WAS a king. RIP.
Quote: from reet hard on 12:45 pm on Nov. 13, 2006[br]  Celebrate what he was, and what he did, and thank your lucky stars that you knew him.<br>
Absolutely right. He was singlehandedly (hoofedly?) responsible for my interest in the sport. I saw him race many times around the London tracks, Wincanton and Huntingdon and it was always a privilege.
On the issue of wrapping in cotton wool, well he clearly wasn’t. But I’m pretty sure that his continued participation in the Tingle Creek towards the end of his career was with a view to minimising the risks associated with running chasers. I remember David Elsworth was asked if it was sensible to still run in such a sprint after he had been beaten (shock!) and his reposnse was pretty much that every fence a chaser jumps could be the last one, so why jump more than you have to if it isn’t the big prize.
And who can argue with the results?
I followed Dessie & saw him race quite a few times, he was breathtaking. Took loads of photos of him which I shall treasure. Saw him quite often in retirement, mainly at Open Days & the last time at the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre doing his bit for charity, he was in the stable next to Hallo Dandy, white as the driven snow but still had such presence. Thanks for the memories Dessie.
:point: DESERT ORCHID
<br>Desert Orchid – a true legend – R.I.P  :notworthy:
(Edited by Jim JTS at 5:01 pm on Nov. 13, 2006)
A magnificent horse who enriched my life. Too many high points to mention; his whole career was one long peak.
RIP Dessie. You shall be missed.
As Jim says, just one word sums him up, ‘Legend.’ He was a bit before my time, I was merely 8 when I remeber getting my dad to back him for me when he was third in Garrison Savannah’s Gold Cup, but his record of achievement as well as level of form puts him up there at the very top, probably second only to Arkle.
My favourite ever national hunt horse. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
True legend (and I don’t use that word lightly)
RIP old boy. Will never ever be forgotten.
Quote: from underscore on 12:27 pm on Nov. 13, 2006[br]Totally agree.  Fantastic horse who loved his job.  I’m sure brought more people into racing than any other horse.  Dont think we should be sad though, he’s had a cracking life and retirement.<br>
Well said.
The flags at every race course in britain and ireland should be at half mast today for the passing of a true legend , i used to love an old rogue called LITTLE BAY and bar falls the only time this fellow used to get beat was by refusing to go by the leader on the run in after cantering up to them , one day at ascot i can remember the orchid giving him the best part of a stone and little bay could never get close enough to him to get a chance to slam the brakes on and this was over 2 miles which shows the range of a horse which won countless king georges the gold cup ,whitbread and even the irish national , i bet white lightnings up there now giving arkle a run for its money.
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