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I’m surprised the TRF Ruling Politburo of Jumping enthusiasts haven’t fallen over themselves to mention the magnificent Vodkatini. Genius and villain in one doughty package.
Didn’t he start refusing to race after suffering a nasty fall? I was at Aintree when he refused to start, but I’d only just got back into racing so didn’t really know what was going on.
I hope these jog a few memories – apologies for the length here:-
I used to like old Maylane, about 10 years ago now, trained by the late Alec Stewart.
Often reluctant to race, threw his usual pilot Michael Roberts a couple of times and was often tailed off in his races, only to come through late and win, when he felt like it. A class horse on his day, which was none too often.
After a win at Haydock, Roberts said of him:- "one of the most quirky but talented horses I’ve ever ridden".at the end of his flat racing career he was sent hurdling with trainer B Powell, but refused to race on both occasions.
For human rogues, this BBC link provides a few with some well known names involved, but the Gay Future affair of 1974 probably takes the biscuit.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/2295403.stmAs well as, the following excerpt from an article by Chris McGrath of the Independent, 2006:-
The Turf’s hall of shame
* POISONING Daniel Dawson was found guilty of fatally poisoning three Newmarket racehorses in 1812 and was executed in Cambridge before 12,000 spectators – "it being market day".
* DERBY The Derby itself was defiled by the discovery that a race restricted to three-year-olds had been won in 1844 by a four-year-old, Maccabaeus, masquerading under the name of Running Rein.
* NOBBLING In 1961 the Derby favourite, Pinturischio, was "nobbled" by a double dose of croton oil, normally used on constipated elephants.
* THE ‘RINGER’ Flockton Grey was backed to win £200,000 at Leicester in 1982. The horse that actually won the race – by 20 lengths – was in fact a much better one, called Good Hand.
* DOPING In 1990, Norwich and Bravefoot were found to have been "got at" with ACP, a tranquilliser. Ten years later it emerged that they were part of a 23-horse doping spree by Dermot Browne, who was then banned for 20 years. As a rider, Browne had aroused suspicions aboard the 1985 Champion Hurdle favourite who was facing the wrong way at the start and lost many lengths.
* WARNED OFF In 1998 15 people, including five jockeys, were arrested as part of a race-fixing investigation. None was convicted, although Graham Bradley was subsequently warned off...where does one buy croton oil I wonder..?
Ongoing persistent spells of internetlessness prevented me from getting Vodkatini in on time, Max. I’ll add Carthys Cross instead – if horses were sound effects, this maddening summer chaser of recent vintage would be an AAAARRGGGHHH.
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
A lot of favourites already mentioned. I`ll throw in a couple of smart chasers Private Views and Drumadowney
I actually won a lot of money on a four-timer at the festival when Private Views won (the Cathcart?) at 15/2, so I would feel like a turncoat by putting him in lol
I do agree that he was a bit of a woofer when not on form thoughDerring Rose; I think I remember him winning the 3-mile hurdle at C’Ham by 30 lengths, having arrive upsides only at the final hurdle. He would often try to pull himself up, but if the jockey could coax him along, anything could happen.
Given his performance in the members at Kingston Blount at the end of May, that old rascal Duchamp. Yes I know he won a two horse race but he refused five out when miles clear and only won because his rival’s rider was having her first ride and nearly hit the deck three out.
Derring Rose, already mentioned and would you believe have just found an old video of the race. Peter O’Sullevan was fantastic.
Some great footage here of Derring Rose from 1981 … not sure who was on him this day … Francome ? … but he sure earned his riding fee
There’s a book out which I forget the name of but it’s available from Waterstones. In the Manchester branch at least, it’s the only racing book they deem to give any prominence to.
No wonder people think racing is as bent as the proverbial.
"Racing Daily" wrote: I was going to say Coffee Time and Little John, then I realised what you meant hahaha
These two equines were the horsey equivalent of the canine species.
Going back in the annals, Ile De Chypre and Ubedizzy would also be in a definitive who’s who of lovable equine rogues.Why Ille de chypre ?
Some great footage here of Derring Rose from 1981 … not sure who was on him this day … Francome ? … but he sure earned his riding fee
Didn’t he just!
Splendid footage, that, if only to remind us all what lucky coves we are nowadays to enjoy Cheltenham coverage with more than just a distant, sideways-on view of the action in the back straight.
Kudos also to bluemanc43, too, whoever he or she may be, for converting a real treasure trove of racing clips (including this one) from video to Youtube. They appear to be be of BBC and Channel 4 coverage rather than, say, RUK, so please God let them stay online on that basis without summary removal.
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
Need to drag my video archives out of the loft, gc … have an extensive collection of many major flat and NH races on VHS through the 1980’s … anyone any experience of doing this and could give me an idea of the cost of transferring onto DVD ?
I think video to DVD, or better still, video to PC / laptop converters are becoming more ubiquitous and cheap all the time. Wouldn’t be surprised if somewhere like http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/ has something to meet your needs!
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
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