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I would love to share three pieces of brilliant video footage of the great Sea Bird in action, in races he ran prior to his ‘ 65 Derby & Arc wins (which are available on YouTube), but being a complete technophobe, I am unable to.
Himself, I’ve just watched Sea Bird’s victories in the Derby & Arc on Youtube and it’s the first time I’ve seen both races in full. I must admit he did look very speical, his jockey hardly moved on him!
He was very, very special indeed. I truly believe he is the greatest middle distance horse of all time and that on his day no other European horse could have defeated him – not Ribot, not Nijinsky, not Mill Reef and not Dancing Brave. He won all his three year old races on the bridle. Had the British punters had the benefit of seeing his previous two runs before the Derby ( the Prix Greffulhe & the Prix Lupin, which he won hard held by a ridiculously easy six lengths ) there is no way on earth that he would have went off the 15/8 fav on the day.A steal by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, at one point Sea Bird was available on course at 3/1 – unbelievable to think that now.
I have those 2 pre- Derby races on video, along with his Derby & Arc victories, plus his final 2 – yr – old race (the Grand Criterium) where he ran very green and finished second to his stable companion, Grey Dawn (top rated European 3 year old in ‘ 64) The only time he was defeated, although he came from nowhere to finish like an express train.
The ironic thing is that prior to his sensational Arc victory, jockey Pat Glennon had pleaded with trainer, Etienne Pollet, not to run him, as he felt Sea Bird had gone over the top for the season as he wasn’t giving him the same feel or showing the same sparkle and brilliance on the gallops as he once had.
Glennon was convinced Sea Bird was not himself and if he ran would be defeated against the world’s best middle distance horses. He hated the idea of the great horse losing his now exalted reputation. Pollet insisted that the horse should run and that hopefully everything would be fine on the day. It was, and the rest, as the say, is history.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
1970 Champion Hurdle – Persian War[/url:3f94m6xy]
1971 Champion Hurdle – Bula[/url:3f94m6xy]
1973 Champion Hurdle – Comedy Of Errors[/url:3f94m6xy]
1974 Champion Hurdle – Lanzarote[/url:3f94m6xy]
1975 Champion Hurdle – Comedy Of Errors[/url:3f94m6xy]
1976 Champion Hurdle – Night Nurse[/url:3f94m6xy]
1977 Champion Hurdle – Night Nurse[/url:3f94m6xy]
1978 Champion Hurdle – Monksfield[/url:3f94m6xy]
1979 Champion Hurdle – Monksfield[/url:3f94m6xy]
1980 Champion Hurdle – Sea Pigeon[/url:3f94m6xy]
1981 Champion Hurdle – Sea Pigeon[/url:3f94m6xy]
1978 Supreme Novice Hurdle – Golden Cygnet[/url:3f94m6xy]
1973 Gold Cup – The Dikler[/url:3f94m6xy]
1974 Gold Cup – Captain Christy[/url:3f94m6xy]
1985 Champion Chase – Badsworth Boy[/url:3f94m6xy]
1988 Champion Chase – Pearlyman[/url:3f94m6xy]Here’s some races that the likes of Fist Of Fury, Himself and other older members of the board should enjoy. I have been reading more about ‘the golden age of hurdling’ recently and I’ve learnt alot about the great hurdlers during that period. One main thing I learned was that Persian War’s owner was a complete **** head!
While there hasn’t been the depth of great hurdlers during my time of watching racing, I have been lucky enough to have watched Istabraq’s career. He should always be mentioned alongside the hurdlers from the 70’s when there are topic’s about the subject IMO.Badsworth Boy and Pearlyman both looked like great 2m chasers and they were clearly the two outstanding horses over that trip in the 80’s.
Arazi you are a genius mate thank you very very much.have you broken into the BBC archives
Arazi you are a genius mate thank you very very much.have you broken into the BBC archives
I’d like to say yes just to make it sound more exciting
However, the truth is I’ve just been using races from my collection.Glad you enjoyed them FoF.
1970 Champion Hurdle – Persian War[/url:1ev3bmip]
1971 Champion Hurdle – Bula[/url:1ev3bmip]
1973 Champion Hurdle – Comedy Of Errors[/url:1ev3bmip]
1974 Champion Hurdle – Lanzarote[/url:1ev3bmip]
1975 Champion Hurdle – Comedy Of Errors[/url:1ev3bmip]
1976 Champion Hurdle – Night Nurse[/url:1ev3bmip]
1977 Champion Hurdle – Night Nurse[/url:1ev3bmip]
1978 Champion Hurdle – Monksfield[/url:1ev3bmip]
1979 Champion Hurdle – Monksfield[/url:1ev3bmip]
1980 Champion Hurdle – Sea Pigeon[/url:1ev3bmip]
1981 Champion Hurdle – Sea Pigeon[/url:1ev3bmip]
1978 Supreme Novice Hurdle – Golden Cygnet[/url:1ev3bmip]
1973 Gold Cup – The Dikler[/url:1ev3bmip]
1974 Gold Cup – Captain Christy[/url:1ev3bmip]
1985 Champion Chase – Badsworth Boy[/url:1ev3bmip]
1988 Champion Chase – Pearlyman[/url:1ev3bmip]Here’s some races that the likes of Fist Of Fury, Himself and other older members of the board should enjoy. I have been reading more about ‘the golden age of hurdling’ recently and I’ve learnt alot about the great hurdlers during that period. One main thing I learned was that Persian War’s owner was a complete **** head!
While there hasn’t been the depth of great hurdlers during my time of watching racing, I have been lucky enough to have watched Istabraq’s career. He should always be mentioned alongside the hurdlers from the 70’s when there are topic’s about the subject IMO.Badsworth Boy and Pearlyman both looked like great 2m chasers and they were clearly the two outstanding horses over that trip in the 80’s.
Agree with everything you have said I couldn’t believe a post the other day when someone said Istabraq wouldn’t be good enough to compete.
Henry Alper was an interfering old fart who as Persian Wars trainer said should have had a muzzle put on him instead of the horse. Some reckon if it hadn’t been for him insisting the horse ran so many times he might have won 5 Champion Hurdles.
Somethings you can’t come out and say on here but you can drop subtle hints… have a look at Comedy of Error’s first win and tell me which horse got a Comedy of Errors ride………Which reminds me would you happen to have a clip of Royal Vulcan when he was a hot pot for the Triumph ridden by John Francome……or when he rode him again at Aintree ja few weeks later and lost again………..3 of the most talked about rides in the history of NH racing
Be great to see the other 2 again.Firstly, enormous thanks to Arazi for putting these up.
In a 90s poll of Champion Hurdle winning trainers and jockeys Persian War came out on top. Francome, Smith-Eccles and even Peter Easterby plumped for him !
Persian War won his titles on good, firm and heavy going – a true champion.
Which reminds me would you happen to have a clip of Royal Vulcan when he was a hot pot for the Triumph ridden by John Francome……or when he rode him again at Aintree ja few weeks later and lost again………..3 of the most talked about rides in the history of NH racing
Be great to see the other 2 again.I’m afraid I haven’t got those races FoF. My collection of races is virtually all from 1990 onwards. Those races that I posted from the 70’s & 80’s are from a DVD I’ve got called ‘Cheltenham – Hall Of Fame’ which you can find here – Cheltenham – Hall Of Fame[/url:1g63rsux].
1970 Champion Hurdle – Persian War[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1971 Champion Hurdle – Bula[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1973 Champion Hurdle – Comedy Of Errors[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1974 Champion Hurdle – Lanzarote[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1975 Champion Hurdle – Comedy Of Errors[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1976 Champion Hurdle – Night Nurse[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1977 Champion Hurdle – Night Nurse[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1978 Champion Hurdle – Monksfield[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1979 Champion Hurdle – Monksfield[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1980 Champion Hurdle – Sea Pigeon[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1981 Champion Hurdle – Sea Pigeon[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1978 Supreme Novice Hurdle – Golden Cygnet[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1973 Gold Cup – The Dikler[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1974 Gold Cup – Captain Christy[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1985 Champion Chase – Badsworth Boy[/url:2vwcqo7t]
1988 Champion Chase – Pearlyman[/url:2vwcqo7t]Here’s some races that the likes of Fist Of Fury, Himself and other older members of the board should enjoy. I have been reading more about ‘the golden age of hurdling’ recently and I’ve learnt alot about the great hurdlers during that period.
I alwys think Comedy Of Errors doesn’t get the credit he deserves. I would place him above Bula and Lanzarote, for example. He was as tough as nails. Persian War was a real gutsy battler, like Monksfield. I’d place Sea Pigeon alongside him.
I was a big Night Nurse fan, but as I try not to let my heart rule my head these days, I’m now utterly convinced that Istabraq may just have been his equal, if not better.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
2002 Peterborough Chase – Best Mate[/url:3oudne91]
2003 Gold Cup – Best Mate[/url:3oudne91]
2003 Eriksson Chase – Best Mate[/url:3oudne91]
2004 William Hill Chase – Best Mate[/url:3oudne91]
2004 Lexus Chase – Beef Or Salmon[/url:3oudne91]
2006 Irish Hennessy – Beef Or Salmon[/url:3oudne91]
2003 Arkle Chase – Azertyuiop[/url:3oudne91]
2003 Champion Chase – Moscow Flyer[/url:3oudne91]1970 Champion Hurdle – Persian War[/url:19t6rjts]
1971 Champion Hurdle – Bula[/url:19t6rjts]
1973 Champion Hurdle – Comedy Of Errors[/url:19t6rjts]
1974 Champion Hurdle – Lanzarote[/url:19t6rjts]
1975 Champion Hurdle – Comedy Of Errors[/url:19t6rjts]
1976 Champion Hurdle – Night Nurse[/url:19t6rjts]
1977 Champion Hurdle – Night Nurse[/url:19t6rjts]
1978 Champion Hurdle – Monksfield[/url:19t6rjts]
1979 Champion Hurdle – Monksfield[/url:19t6rjts]
1980 Champion Hurdle – Sea Pigeon[/url:19t6rjts]
1981 Champion Hurdle – Sea Pigeon[/url:19t6rjts]
1978 Supreme Novice Hurdle – Golden Cygnet[/url:19t6rjts]
1973 Gold Cup – The Dikler[/url:19t6rjts]
1974 Gold Cup – Captain Christy[/url:19t6rjts]
1985 Champion Chase – Badsworth Boy[/url:19t6rjts]
1988 Champion Chase – Pearlyman[/url:19t6rjts]Here’s some races that the likes of Fist Of Fury, Himself and other older members of the board should enjoy. I have been reading more about ‘the golden age of hurdling’ recently and I’ve learnt alot about the great hurdlers during that period.
I always think Comedy Of Errors doesn’t get the credit he deserves. I would place him above Bula and Lanzarote, for example. He was as tough as nails. Persian War was a real gutsy battler, like Monksfield. I’d place Sea Pigeon alongside him.
I was a big Night Nurse fan, but as I try not to let my heart rule my head these days, I’m now utterly convinced that Istabraq may just have been his equal, if not better.
It’s amazing how we all see things differently. I agree Comedy of Errors was very good but better than Bula? In his 1st Champion Hurdle he beat Bula and it was the most talked bout Champion Hurdle ever……let’s just say there is good reason why those in the know wouldn’t agree with you.
Neither Gordon, Jonjo or Easterby would put Sea Pigeon within 7lbs of Persian War he simply wasn’t that good……..looked impressive but he just aged better than the others he beat…..I have more reason to like Sea Pigeon than most. Sat on the ond beggar three times and Pat Muldoon’s son Steven let me take him for a short walk round the streets when he was at Pat Rohan’s for a while. Later he was housed at Polly Teirneys small yard in Apple le Street and my own horse was in the next box……..I must have seen him 50 times if I saw him once round the roads when he was at Pat Rohans.but like you I don’t let my heart rule my head…….a great Horse but no Persian War Bula or Istabraq who for me were simply different class to the rest.
Regarding Istabraq, I know you can only beat what’s put in front of you, but what did he beat? Not a great bunch it must be said; Theatreworld twice then Hors La Loi, who won one of the weakest Champions ever. Can’t knock his achievements, probably should have won 4, but in the 70’s there were loads of ‘great’ horses.
2002 Greatwood Hurdle – Rooster Booster[/url:2armayu3]
2002 Bula Hurdle – Rooster Booster[/url:2armayu3]
2003 Tote Gold Trophy – Geos[/url:2armayu3]
2003 Kingwell Hurdle – Rhinestone Cowboy[/url:2armayu3]
2004 Aintree Hurdle – Rhinestone Cowboy[/url:2armayu3]
2003 Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle – Hardy Eustace[/url:2armayu3]
2003 Supreme Novice Hurdle – Back In Front[/url:2armayu3]
2004 Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Harchibald[/url:2armayu3]
2004 Christmas Hurdle – Harchibald[/url:2armayu3]
2005 Bula Hurdle – Harchibald[/url:2armayu3]
2004 Supreme Novice Hurdle – Brave Inca[/url:2armayu3]
2005 AIG Europe Champion Hurdle – Macs Joy[/url:2armayu3]
2006 AIG Europe Champion Hurdle – Brave Inca[/url:2armayu3]
2005 Christmas Hurdle – Feathered Lady[/url:2armayu3]
2006 Aintree Hurdle – Asian Maze[/url:2armayu3]
2003 Stayers’ Hurdle – Baracouda[/url:2armayu3]
2003 Long Distance Hurdle – Baracouda[/url:2armayu3]
2004 Tote Sandown Hurdle – Baracouda[/url:2armayu3]
2004 Stayers’ Hurdle – Iris’s Gift[/url:2armayu3]
2004 Long Distance Hurdle – Baracouda[/url:2armayu3]
2004 Long Walk Hurdle – Baracouda[/url:2armayu3]
2005 World Hurdle – Inglis Drever[/url:2armayu3]
2005 Long Distance Hurdle – Inglis Drever[/url:2armayu3]
2005 Long Walk Hurdle – My Way De Solzen[/url:2armayu3]
2006 World Hurdle – My Way De Solzen[/url:2armayu3]
2006 Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle – Nicanor[/url:2armayu3]
2005 Aintree Hurdle – Al Eile[/url:2armayu3]That 2003 Stayers’ Hurdle is definitely the most exciting staying hurdle race that I’ve watched. Baracouda beating two top class performers in Iris’s Gift & Limestone Lad. Macs Joy vs Brave Inca vs Hardy Eustace in the 2005 AIG Champion Hurdle was a great race as well. It’s a shame Rhinestone Cowboy’s career was cut short due to injury and also strange why he ran in the 2004 Coral Cup and not in the Stayers Hurdle. Given that he beat Iris’s Gift later in that season at Punchestown you’d think he would have gone close in the Stayers Hurdle.
Keep em coming Arazi!!
These videos are a god-send to a new-comer like me!
Regards Jonny
Regarding Istabraq, I know you can only beat what’s put in front of you, but what did he beat? Not a great bunch it must be said; Theatreworld twice then Hors La Loi, who won one of the weakest Champions ever. Can’t knock his achievements, probably should have won 4, but in the 70’s there were loads of ‘great’ horses.
I hear what you are saying but it was the shear class of the horse and the ease in which he did things that stands out. The way the horse moved and quickened when asked the question, put him head and shoulders above almost every Champion Hurdler I have seen…..Istabraq was a right horse who oozed class, make no mistake about that…..I have no doubt he would be 1/4 fav against what is around today.
Arazi
What a great series you put up starting with Persian War in 1970. I had seen most of the clips at one point or another with the exception of the Golden Cygnet run. What might have been had he not fatally fell in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. I was looking through my Dads old Cheltenham racecards with him a few months ago and came upon the race in question and my Dad who was there said he’d rarely seen an easier Cheltenham winner. Looking at the clip he wasn’t wrong !
However, the truth is I’ve just been using races from my collection.
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