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On his day, Captain Christy was a phenomenon; a close third in the Champion Hurdle, then winning the Gold Cup as a novice. But his two King George victories were evn more special. The first, beating the previously unbeatable Pendil, the second destroying the field by 30 lengths.
Unfortunately hardly any footage of the Captain remains.
Declan Colley’s book about the Captain, ‘When Bobby met Christy,’ is worth reading. It’s bitter-sweet.The Massey-Ferguson is yet another of the top NH races which lost its sponsorship, and is now sponsored by a bookie.
Mackeson, Hennessy, Whitbread et al……all now bookies races. And that isn’t a good thing. Unlike the Flat, jump racing can’t rely upon the big international countries for sponsorship….and the companies which were once sponsors are no longer interested.For me, the Hennessy was more prestigious when they sponsored it….a French cognac is rather more classy than yet another bookmaker sponsored race.
Massey-Ferguson should return as sponsors. They could get Neil Parish to award the trophy.
Given that they were a month apart, same course and same distance, it is perhaps surprising no horse managed the Mackeson / Massey-Ferguson double the same season.
My favourite horses - Red Rum, Spanish Steps, Proud Tarquin, Esban, Go-Pontinental, Barona, Charles Dickens, The Dikler, Astbury, Black Secret, Vulgan Town, Huperade, Well To Do, Crisp, Quintus, Argent, Colebridge, Pearl Of Montreal, Nereo, Sonny Somers, Tubs VI, Tartan Ace, Red Candle, L'Escargot, Bula, Beau Bob, Rouge Autumn, Rough Silk, Frodo, Deblin's Green, Prince Tino, Eyecatcher, The Pilgarlic, Captain Christy, Mr Midland, Interview II, Credit Call, My Virginian, Flush Of Diamonds, Scout, Money Ma
Pegwell Bay completed the double in 1988, although the Massey-Ferguson had changed sponsors by then.
Senor El Betrutti (1997) and Exotic Dancer (2006) also completed the double.
Sometime back in the late 80’s I think it was, I was stood next to a large, tweed suited gentleman in the Arkle Bar on Mackeson Gold Cup day, waiting to be served. His turn came first:
‘Three Mackesons please’ – ‘We don’t stock Mackeson sir’ – ‘But it’s Mackeson Gold Cup day’ – ‘I’m sorry, but there’s just no demand for it’ – ‘Yes there is, I’m demanding three bottles!’ – ‘Sorry sir, what else can I get you’ – ‘I suppose if I come back next month, you won’t have any tractors in stock either’.
At which point he stomped off, leaving a bemused barmaid looking at me and hoping I’m a lager drinker!
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