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Not one because of a big bet win but a racing moment over the years that you have loved because of what it was.
For me, Sprinter Sacre’s second Queen Mother win when coming back from his heart problem. A truly fantastic moment for horse racing to see the best 2 miler in the last few years come back and produce that run. A goosebumps on the neck moment.
That Black Caviar race ranks up there for me. As does Frankel going miles clear in the Guineas. A real jaw-dropping moment if there ever was one.
Over the jumps Dawn Run’s Gold Cup and Red Rum’s third National are stand-outs.
Cormack
Royal Academy at the Breeders Cup with Lester coming out of retirement for the ride. Fairytale stuff
Red Rum pulverising the opposition from second Becher’s, cantering home hard held on the bridle amidst cheers from all over the course to win his third National at the age of 12 by 25 lengths is the greatest moment in sporting history.
Peintre Célèbre winning the 1997 Arc.
The greatest winner of the world’s greatest race in my lifetime. My jaw literally dropped watching his turn of foot.
Over the jumps, Vautour’s win in the JLT will stay with me forever.
Honourable mention goes to Frankel’s 2000 Guineas victory, an obnoxiously brilliant performance.
Didn’t win a penny on any of these.
What is “obnoxiously brilliant” meant to infer?
This sort of description always confuses me – what is dangerous about being well-handicapped?
Dancing Brave Arc win
Oh So Sharp Gns win
Falbrav seeing him close up in pre parade ring before Juddmonte
Dayjur nunthorpe winand must add a few oldies in fact all ‘jumpers’ which got me watching the sport,Pawnbroker old hurdler not david elsworths pawnbroker,Arctic Sunset and my old fav Spanish steps
sorry for long list but love looking back
To come back to the topic; after watching horse racing for approaching 60 years, I’ve probably forgotten a lot of the moments but two that remain vividly in my “brain” are Shergar’s demolition Derby and the round of jumping Crisp put in when second in the National.
I had been impressed with Shergar’s win in the Derby Trial at Sandown and after being encouraged “to bet like men” by Richard Baerlein in the Guardian it would have been rude not to. On this occasion everything went to plan. A beautiful piece of training by Stoute, an uncomplicated ride by Walter and a superb piece of journalism.
I can never forget that round of jumping when Crisp treated those ‘orrible obstacles as if they were training hurdles. You could say that a cannier ride by Pitman and the horse would have won a street but then we wouldn’t have been treated to such a breath-taking spectacle.
Well I did win money on this one and quite a lot. !962 Cesarewitch won by Orchardist (Bill Williamson) but then David “Flapper” Yates, jockey of Golden Fire decided to object. I can’t find footage of the race but I never gave Golden Fire an earthly chance, despite the other horse clearly leaning on him. Whips were flying and no doubt words were exchanged but after deliberation, the stewards reversed the result and yours truly collected £125. An exciting race but not just because it turned out in my favour.
God!! I have a shopping list!!
Shergar’s Derby win.
Frankel in the Guineas.
Kauto Star fourth King George cos we were there!!
Frankies Magnificent seven Fujiyama !!
Sprinter Sacre
second Queen Mother win. I must admit I shed a tear!!
Gossamer winning the Irish Guineas (God I loved that filly)
I could go on and on!! LOLBut the first two are my favourite for the open mouthed shock and almost disbelief of the performance
God!! I have a shopping list!!
Shergar’s Derby win.
Frankel in the Guineas.
Kauto Star fourth King George cos we were there!!
Frankies Magnificent seven Fujiyama !!
Sprinter Sacre 😥 second Queen Mother win. I must admit I shed a tear!!
Gossamer winning the Irish Guineas (God I loved that filly)
I could go on and on!! LOLBut the first two are my favourite for the open mouthed shock and almost disbelief of the performance
As visually amazing as Frankels Guineas demolition was, I thought his win in the Queen Anne was the best performance on the flat I’ve seen from any horse in the last 10 years.
I so badly want to mention Kris, and any of his wins, none more so than when as a young lad I got to see him win The Lockinge, but the one moment that will always jump out to me is Dancing Brave in The Arc. Unquestionably my favourite moment.
To come back to the topic; after watching horse racing for approaching 60 years, I’ve probably forgotten a lot of the moments but two that remain vividly in my “brain” are Shergar’s demolition Derby and the round of jumping Crisp put in when second in the National.
I had been impressed with Shergar’s win in the Derby Trial at Sandown and after being encouraged “to bet like men” by Richard Baerlein in the Guardian it would have been rude not to. On this occasion everything went to plan. A beautiful piece of training by Stoute, an uncomplicated ride by Walter and a superb piece of journalism.
I can never forget that round of jumping when Crisp treated those ‘orrible obstacles as if they were training hurdles. You could say that a cannier ride by Pitman and the horse would have won a street but then we wouldn’t have been treated to such a breath-taking spectacle.
I think it is harsh to criticise Richard Pitman at all for his ride on Crisp. The team behind the horse agreed beforehand that it was best to allow Crisp to run in his natural style and at no time did he run away with his jockey. Had he been kept with the pack he would not have jumped so well and may have sulked. Pitman was entitled to try the whip after the last but only barely persisted with it when he realised Crisp was out on his feet. Simply, the horse did not quite stay and he could not have run any better at the weights. After all, he was beaten only 3/4L whilst giving 23lbs to the greatest pure Grand National horse of all time, the course record was smashed by just over 18 seconds and (allowing for a multitude of factors including the going and the general, natural improvement present in athletes both human and equine over the decades) I rate Crisp’s performance in 1973 joint best in National (and steeplechasing) history along with Golden Miller’s in 1934.
Actually, I believe it was Red Rum who could have won by further, roughly 7 lengths. Rummy received a few cracks of the whip at the second Anchor bridge Crossing, more after the last but none were needed from the Elbow. Bearing in mind Red Rum’s future exploits there was certainly more there and had Brian Fletcher got after him sooner Red Rum would have responded earlier and continued to do so all the way to the line. Strictly at the weights in the 1973 National Crisp emerged 22 (pounds/lengths) superior to Red Rum, however, I reckon Rummy could have reduced it to 15. It has to be born in mind that in November 1973 in a 3m2f chase at Doncaster Red Rum finished only 8 lengths behind Crisp at level weights. Rummy had continued his improvement for Ginger McCain but there was no evidence Crisp was below par at Donny and it was a course and distance that was far more advantageous (than that of the National) to the former 2m Champion Chaser than to Red Rum.
Can’t narrow it down to one but a few are as follows:
Sea Pigeon winning his two Champion Hurdles in 1980/81 – I always remember the 1981 running as I finished school for the day at 3:30pm and literally took off running flat out all the way home and turning on the TV just in time to see the final two hurdles with ‘The Old Man’ running all over them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkfs-DMLfi8
Indian Skimmer destroying Miesque in the 1987 French Oaks – at the time I didn’t think Miesque (a dual 1000g winner) was beatable and whilst 10F was probably a bit too far for her but if you take out the winner she would have been a triple classic winner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZP6y9P4Rk0
Old Vic in the French Derby 1989 (when it was run at the Derby distance) – a Cauthen masterclass in the art of front running at a true end to end gallop (none of this going off fast then slowing/stacking them up and then sprinting for the line), I believe it was the 1st English winner of the French Derby as well…devastating performance by a horse at the top of his game who sadly never made it to that year’s Arc due to injury. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bk6YzQ_bJ0
One Man in the 1998 Queen Mother Champion Chase – seeing the grey finally gallop up that Cheltenham Hill (which had left him looking like a legless drunkard in his two Gold Cup runs) was a wonderfully joyous moment made even more poignant by the fact that 16 days later we lost him at Aintree. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anBVvfn06d0
Light Shift winning the Oaks in 2007 – the best horse (Peeping Fawn) didn’t win but nobody outside of Coolmore really cared as this wasn’t about the race it was purely about the return to the top table of Sir Henry (his 8th win in the race) and you would be a hard person not to have a tear in your eye when he went up to be presented with the trainers trophy.
Frankel, whilst the obvious performances in the 2000g, Queen Anne & Juddmonte where all on a different planet (with his last race being just pure theatre from start to finish), I remember being left more than a little stunned after watching him on only his second start in a Doncaster Conditions Stakes over 7F. Watching a 2 yr old put 13L into the runner up (who in her next run went on to finish 3rd in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac) in less than 1.5F over 7F on good ground is not something you see every day (unless you are running on soft ground). I don’t think the commentator had a clue about just how understated his comment of ‘he might just have a touch of star quality about him’ would turn out to be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jx6Ul9kqwY
Watching Annie Power jumping the last (and laying her Cheltenham hoodoo to rest) in the Champion Hurdle was also a special moment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_tVoOmp2X8
There are many other (some of which have been covered already) but I have rambled on long enough
Sea Bird’s contemptuous disdain for the opposition in the ’65 Derby . Arkle’s electrifying brilliance in the Gallaher Gold Cup at Sandown when conceding 16Ibs to his great rival , Mill House . Foinavon’s Grand National , Nijinsky’s triple crown , Humble Duty’s 1000 Gns win ( still the easiest winner of this race I’ve seen ) Crisp’s brave and heroic effort in ’73 National . Secretariat’s Belmont . Little Owl’s Gold Cup . Burrough Hill Lad’s Gold Cup Arazi’s breeder’cup win ,EL Gran Senor’s Guineas . Frankel’s Queen Anne .
All very memorable and close to my heart , but my overall favourite moment has to be DENMAN beating Kauto Star in the 2008 Gold Cup . Id been talking up the horse’s chance on this very forum for months prior to race , in the face of much derision from the K auto fan club members , like ” Fist ” , former forum member . I even predicted how the race would be run and won by Denman . Having backed the horse with hard cash in numerous bets , with bookies and friends , I was naturally thrilled to bits watching Denman run Kauto Star and the rest of the field ragged in the manner I foretold . The tanks victory paid for the summer holiday and more . A racing memory that will live with me forever .
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
A bittersweet moment but Gloria Victis in the Racing Post Chase has always been my favourite. It was that first special WOW moment that made me love this sport. I’ve never seen a horse launch himself at the fences like he did – he gained ground at every one, went a true pace and just burned off that field like they were nothing.
I didn’t really understand what he’d achieved on form at the time, it was purely a visual buzz. In hindsight, that must have been one of the greatest chase performances of the last 50 years. Giving lumps of weight and a proper beating to Marlborough (then rated only 136, but soon a Cheltenham Festival winner and King George runner-up) was an astounding achievement, especially given the way he was ridden.
I was heartbroken when GV died at Cheltenham. Another mighty effort to still be there (and maybe rallying?) alongside Looks Like Trouble at the 2nd last despite throwing away lengths by diving right at every fence. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horse who could have beaten Gloria Victis right-handed.
Please watch this if you haven’t seen it already. Because he died so young, not enough people talk about Gloria Victis in the all-time greats debate.
Where do you start
On the flat:
Arazi passing horses like he was in one of those duff American kids films from the 70s.
Sergeant Cecil winning the Cesarewich to become the first horse ever to win the Northumberland Plate, Ebor and Ces in the same season, surely one of the greatest handicapping feats in racing history.
Over the jumps:
Monksfield winning his second Champion Hurdle in possibly my earliest memory of horse racing.
Kauto Star winning his last Betfair Chase to one of the great receptions.
Earth Summit becoming the only horse to win the Scottish, Welsh and Aintree nationals, a feat which rivals Sergeant Cecil’s.
But without doubt my favourite moment in 40 years of watching this wonderful sport is Coneygree galloping the opposition into the ground whilst putting in the greatest round of fast, fluent jumping I have ever seen at Cheltenham. I never tire of watching it.
Ps, LD73 I’m glad I’m not the only one who used to run home from school to catch the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup. I could it in eight minutes. Then, not now
second Queen Mother win. I must admit I shed a tear!!
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