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Number 1
VILLIERSTOWN (1983–1990) Arthur Stephenson
Arthur Stephenson had a reputation as a ‘little fish’ trainer, winning lots of small races over the years. But he also had some high-quality chasers and no doubt many will remember the likes of including Credit Call, Durham Edition, The Thinker and Blazing Walker. The latter was owned by Swiss businessman Peter Piller, who was also fortunate enough to own Villierstown.
Picked up from Ireland, Villierstown went straight to novice chasing in 1983 and won a couple of modest races before running in what were fairly ordinary handicaps in the next couple of seasons. Improvement was forthcoming by the 1985/86 season in which he won five handicaps before Christmas, and ended the campaign running consistently elsewhere under big weights.
Still he progressed, and I saw him run and win at Wetherby (I think!) the following season as more victories and consistent performances ensued. Having read his race reports for a couple of years, it was a pleasure to see his racing style. He generally liked to race up with the pace, although it wasn’t mandatory, and he attacked his fences with real vigour and enthusiasm. He obviously had the constitution to carry weight and I think that and his obvious enjoyment of the game enabled him to continuously beat the handicapper. He was tremendously consistent.
An optimistic tilt at The Mackeson in 1987 failed but Villierstown was still running well, winning four more chases through the season and only just failing to lump 11-13 in the Glenlivet Chase at Aintree in April. He returned to the Grand National meeting the following year to win the John Hughes Memorial in what was probably a career-high, and only just failed to repeat the achievement in 1990 when second of 30 under 11-10. He started the 1990/91 season as an 11yo but after a few lacklustre runs he was retired.
Peter Piller was a prolific owner back in the day and particularly loyal to Arthur Stephenson. After Stephenson died in 1992, he scaled back his operation but still had a few horses in training by the mid-2000s. Although Villierstown wouldn’t have been his most highly-rated horse (he owned One Man for a time as well as Blazing Walker), I can only believe that such horses were the reason he spent so much money supporting jumps racing.
Villierstown was the winner of 18 races but was placed on scores of other occasions and was a model of consistency over a number of years. He jumped well, raced like he truly loved the game and all ground, distance (2-3m) courses and weights came the same to him. The epitome of a tough Northern chaser, you simply cannot ask more of a racehorse. Villierstown is a worthy top-of-the-pile in My (Alternative) Top Ten Racehorses.
Mike
Mike,
Here’s a comment from Timeform Chasers and Hurdlers 1985/86:
“Front runner who races with great enthusiasm; jumps well; a thoroughly likeable individual who is sure to win more races.”
Which of course he did, reaching a top rating of 153 two seasons later. An excellent number one.
Those yellow and blue Piller colours certainly evoke memories for anyone of a certain age. I used to go to Haydock and Wetherby a lot in the late 80s/early 90s, which I suppose was the last days of that great North of England circuit with the likes of Stephenson, Richards, Smyth, Fitzgerald and Easterby still training.
It tends to be forgotten that W.A Stephenson trained a July Cup winner. Forlorn River in 1967.
A most enjoyable thread Betlarge, thanks
Good old Villierstown, forgotten all about him. Recall him running in the Towton Chase at Wetherby’s Boxing Day meeting
Ditto Drone re memory lane
revisited and the wonderful telling …
and my memory was jerked by
Blazing Walker who was a tremendous sequence horse who beat Uncle Ernie.I enjoyed writing those, it was good to jog a few addled memories back into life…
I mean, really it’s just a bit of fun as I could come up with another ‘top ten’ tomorrow! I’ve been thinking “I can’t believe I’ve left out xyz” all the time. Anyway, the full list:
1 VILLIERSTOWN (1983–1990) Arthur Stephenson
2 SERGEANT CECIL (2001-2008) Rod Millman
3 CATS EYES (1983-1988) Martin Pipe
4 CASPIAN PRINCE (2011-2021) A Carroll, D Ivory, R Fell, A Coyle, M Appleby
5 LATOLOMNE (1997-2005) Brian Ellison
6 PROVIDEO (1984-1985) and TIMELESS TIMES (1990-1991) Bill O’Gorman
7 SULUK (1988 – 1993) Reg Hollinshead
8 HOMECOMING QUEEN (2011-2012) Aiden O’Brien
9 VODKATINI (1982-1992) Peter Haynes, Josh Gifford
10 LEANDROS (1982) Richard HannonMike
What a superb thread Betlarge, lots of great memories. Racing isn’t just about champions; it’s the huge diversity of horses who are all stars in their own way that give it such depth and make it such an enjoyable sport to follow.
I agree Marlingford + with the other comments. This is a great thread, there are some great memories in there. Not that my memory is what it used to be as I had forgotten about Suluk
“… and my memory was jerked by
Blazing Walker who was a tremendous sequence horse who beat Uncle Ernie.”My lasting memory of Blazing Walker is his staggering performance in the inaugural running of the Melling Chase, where he left Katabatic, Waterloo Boy et al standing. Quite spectacular.
Gladiateur
That must be very close to being the highest-quality chase of the 1990s?
Everything in the race is in prime form and Blazing Walker just brushes them aside. Astonishing performance.
Mike
Thanks for this; great to watch. Tho I think Sabin du Loir and Barnbrook again were well past their best by this time
Having just looked at the form, Barnbrook Again was having his first run for a year and was well below par, but Katabatic, Sabin Du Loir & Waterloo Boy were all at virtual career-peak form, notwithstanding Sabin’s age.
Got to be the best Melling Chase ever!
Mike
The 1995 renewal when Viking Flagship defeated Deep Sensation and Martha’s Son in a three way finish must run it close. I was there that day and it is still one of the best races I have ever seen.
There is the caveat that Katabatic and Waterloo Boy (who was far better over two miles, anyway) had finished 1-2 in the Champion Chase and had both endured hard races at Cheltenham, so that may have left its mark.
Still, a performance right out of the top drawer by Blazing Walker all the same.
I watched that race yesterday sitting in a comfy couch in a Cafe Nero – I had the volume on my mobile turned up but luckily I was sitting in the shop window with two empty tan leather chairs opposite. People do not tend to sit next to hairy animals so I often have space and would hate to annoy anyone with noise abuse. I am a mute through and through. I ordered two consecutive coffees and the first had an extra shot – so I was really buzzing as much as Blazing. Yes a fantastic finish and tactically perfect. Even Dunwoody could not stop him. Waterloo Boy was granted better as a two miler. I very much liked him and the battler I called him – the great Viking Flagship. Waterloo Boy would also fight at the finnish. What great memories. Racing was more a national sport then and followed by a bigger crowd. Wednesday was once Derby Day but they uprooted it and it was never quite the same ! They took the legs out if it.
Thank you Gladiateur
I enjoyed reading through this thread again.
I was thinking of Timeless Times over the weekend, which prompted me to look up his racing record. It is interesting to note that of the 16 races he won in 1990, 5 were on firm ground (including 4 of his first 5 races) and 8 were on good to firm. His other 3 victories were on good ground.
There were clearly no worries about firm ground back in 1990! It did not seem to do him any harm either..
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