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Thanks, KB, I’ve bought some vintage books from Way’s and will check out your links. I can’t really justify spending loads on annuals, though, as I’ve heard they don’t always have any better information than I have already accumulated. A lot of my research is from the online British Newspaper Archive, papers like the Yorkshire Post are very good. At the moment it contains the Sporting Life up to 1910 only but I think more years will gradually be added which will help me to further verify some facts. I’ve found it best not to rely on any one source, whatever its reputation. In the Victorian era there were often three or four sporting titles in publication at the same time and its rare to find complete agreement amongst them regarding the basic facts of a National, something we take for granted in the modern age. Sometimes getting close to the truth is like solving a logic puzzle!
So many moments; but I was there for the greatest ever, Dawn Run’s Gold Cup; mist-enshrouded Cleeve Hill, a gladiatorial atmosphere, the crowd holding it’s breath every time she came to a fence. And poignant also; with other connections she might have run up a sequence
It’s hard to think of any bigger moment in my lifetime than Desert Orchid in The Gold Cup, when it comes to the best Gold Cup ever, I think it’s safe to say that this one wins hands down, and it’ll be a long time before one beats it, though the finish to the 2011 renewal was excellent as well, as was the 1,2,3,4,5 from Dickinson.
Very hard to pick one out recently that doesn’t involve some sort of financial interest, as you can’t help but be biased. Going way back to 1984, Fabulous winning The Topham still sticks out. He was trained locally, and I used to go see him regularly, so to see him win over The National Fences. I stayed off School “unwell” to watch it, and my mum and dad knew I was “at it” anyway, but when I jumped about mad when he won, there was little doubt there was nothing wrong with me. That would have to be up there as one of my best, but there are dozens I could mention.
The first day I ever went racing alleged was up against the Derby runner up hot grove and the betting was very tight with both horses being made fav. Alleged of course won the voltigeur by ten lengths with an outstanding run and went on to win two arcs.
Dessies gold cup was just spine tingling. I was in the pub watching it and as the race developed more and more people were urging Dessie on. He looked beat at one stage but the roar when he took the lead and then won was deafening. Up there as one of the most athletic horses ever.
St Nicholas abbey winning the breeders cup turf. He had been running well but just missing out so went off a very backable price and once Joseph pulled him out to challenge he sprinted past them. Cue the commentator getting excited about Joseph winning on his dads horse and Mum in tears. They may have won hundreds of group ones but I think that one meant so much to clan obrien.
Sea pigeon beating monksfield,lester on sagaro winning the gold cup while hardly moving a muscle and of course royal academy in the breeders cup.Cheltenham Gold Cup day 1983. Did a £5 win trixie on Saxon Farm in the Triumph Hurdle @ 12/1, Bregawn in the Gold Cup @ 10/3 and Robin Wonder in the County Hurdle @ 10/1. The first 2 were on BBC so watched them both romp home. Went down to the bookies with my Dad to hear the audio of the County Hurdle – no SIS video coverage in those days. Robin Wonder was never mentioned until they’d jumped the last. Stood there in total shock as the £4k plus return was a lot of money in those days. Have never managed to see a recording of the Robin Wonder win.
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