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Arkle aside who was probably more poular than the whole lot of them put together, pre Istabraq… Danoli was without doubt the horse who grabbed the attention of the Irish people who flocked in their thousands when he ran. Bit like Beatlemania
Dawn Run’s Gold Cup win was probably the noisiest and wildest day in Irish Cheltenham history, with Jonjo every bit as popular as the mare herself and in his prime the combination was 100% Irish. I doubt we’ll ever see a scene quite like that again
Dawn Run never quite drew the crowds Danoli, the peoples champion, did when running at a smaller meeting but I believe if you asked any Irishman who saw all these horses running the 2 two mentioned would be them.
They reckon Danoli got more Xmas cards than Santa Clause.
My favourite was Istabraq but if I voting for him feels odd knowing what history tells us. With these polls much depends on who’s voting and I prefer to remeber what the papers said at the time each horse ran and I don’t remember Istabraq frenzy in the same way Danoli had people scampering to watch him and raving about him everytime he ran.
It’s a funny old question to be asking a bunch of Englishmen most of whom won’t remember Danoli and will vote for horses like Moscow and Hardy because that’s the ones they know.
Good bit of fun all the same….of to vote and see whos winning
That’s probably not as ridiculous as it first sounds, Colin!
The issue of "favourite" horses is surely a generation thing. The ’86 Gold Cup may still send a shiver down the spine (even though I wasn’t even born!), and it could be many years before we see another race like the 2004 Tingle Creek, but as someone now aged 22 who got into racing at about 11 years old, there’s only one winner from where I’m sitting.
No, I was semi-serious, Friggo.
The poll isn’t about best is it?
I like horses with a bit of ‘character’, Harchibald fits that bill or me.
Colin
I probably should have included Harchi alright.
Surprised nobody has picked up on the omission of Spotthedifference and Risk Of Thunder. Bit of an oversight on my behalf!
You’re right, Fist; I guess it is an English idea on Irelands favourite. Given that I would imagine every Irishman has either got a horse to sell or knows someone with a horse for sale, Danoli would be my idea of what would be an Irish choice. Dawn Run ran during my racing doldrum years, so I only read about her, but it seemed like a career mixed with controversy which ended in terrible sadness. Also agree with the point that we are judgeing it with hindsight.
I probably should have included Harchi alright.
Surprised nobody has picked up on the omission of Spotthedifference and Risk Of Thunder. Bit of an oversight on my behalf!
Quite right, How on earth myself and GC the two big fans of the X Country Chases and didnt even notice it.
Spotty should be there, I agree, and Harchibald. So many good ones, it’s hard to vote because they’ve all given us so much pleasure over the years. What an awesome bunch.
Surprised nobody has picked up on the omission of Spotthedifference and Risk Of Thunder. Bit of an oversight on my behalf!
Quite right, How on earth myself and GC the two big fans of the X Country Chases and didnt even notice it.
Egad. I have one week off from TRF, and come back to a Spotty- and Risk-free poll of top Irish horses? I need a lie-down…
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
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