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RE: Timeform ratings
Chasers
Arkle (212),
Flyingbolt (210),
Mill House (191),Oh no…its a full moon and the coffin dodgers are wandering around accessing computers again
Nurse!
Even Jim McGrath admits they probably got them wrong. Phil Bul hated NH Racing and obviously left the ratings to the tea boy in those days.
Yes, McGrath said that those ratings were a bit high – in his opinion.
Possibly, but remember, Arkle is the only NH horse in history who initiated a change in the handicap system. One for when he ran, another when he didn’t. No other NH horse, before or since, has had such influence. A truly phenomenal racehorse.Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
True, but he was rated as was Flyingbolt via the achievements of the horses they beat or were narrowly beaten by giving huge weight concessions to.- In the 60s the horse population was nothing like what it is today – both in sheer numbers and it`s make-up from a cosmopoliton point of view. Therefore i think on occasion it didn`t take a performance over 160 to place in a relatively weak Gold Cup renewal. Even in this era we have animals like Sir Rembrandt and Harbour Pilot placing in one Gold Cup who would have been absolutely nowhere (sic) yesterday. Stalbridge Colonist was (i think) rated 166 by Timeform – i suspect that is probably a stone too high.
Has to be my namesake See More Business. Should have won the Gold Cup in 98. I had won VIP tickets and was watching from grandstand with lots of well to do’s around me. Saw him carried out through bins and shouted b*llocks extremely loudly.
Showed great character to come back the next year and win it. Yes i was on.Given that he tended to miss the odd fence perhaps it was meant to be that he was carried out in his first gold cup, perhaps he was better for another year and a bit more experience….didn’t the injury that happened to Cyborgo during the race turn out to be nothing? Remember towards the end of his career when he ran just before Christmas and had a bad fall; didn’t get up for ages…was so relieved when he did! Had no idea until years later that other people were as fond of him as I was. Was there to see him win the Gold Cup, and it was great to see him parade at Cheltenham a few years later.
Of all time would have to be Viking Flagship and Desert Orchid with Barton Bank a close runner up. Currently it’s My Way de Solzen, though smallbutexcellent Katchit is right up there, along with Another Promise.
Other particular favourites over the years:
Dorans Pride
Strong Promise
Flagship Uberalles
Dom Samurai
Contraband
Cool Groundedited to remove the (very few) flat horses as forgot what the thread title was
remember Marlboroughs early days when his jumping was so awful; Mick Fitz really sorted him out….lovely horse, probably didn’t get the credit that he deserved at the time…
with a little help from Yogi Briesner I believe!
but I don’t dispute Fitzy’s contribution to the success. The horse appeared to be a thug early on, throwing himself at fences, really nice to see him live up to his abilities eventually 
Broadsword
the only thing I know about this one was he lost as red-hot favourite in the 1981 Triumph Hurdle to a 66/1 shot trained by a then unheard-of handler named M C Pipe. What did he go on to achieve?
He went on to sire some big slow yaks.
So what?
I don’t have access to Broadsword’s racing record and couldn’t give two of Little Owl’s hoots (or even one) about his stud record.
This thread is about our favourites, not the best horses.
Yes but wasn’t the yak comment actually a response to the question ‘what did he do after his victory’?
Re: Broadsword ~ he went on to be the top rated hurdler in England, which is enough surely. Essentially a 2 1/2 to 3 miler, he was 2nd to For Auction in the Champion Hurdle (as a 5yo) before falling at the last when looking the winner of the Aintree Hurdle. He was also a gorgeous looking horse and very easy to like.
What a tremendous thread this is and so good to know that so many of racing’s lesser lights have found their way into people’s hearts.
Having followed racing since the early 1960’s (especially National Hunt racing), some of my favourites over the years have been as follows :L’Escargot
Red Rum
The Dikler
Spanish Steps
Desert Orchid
Maori Venture
Racoon
Tenterclef
Cherokee Chief
Happy Ranger
Mor (winner of Velka Pardubicka 1974 and 1975)
Tingle Creek
Mill House
April Seventh
Otter Way
Highland Seal
Border Mask
Persian Camp
Sail By The Stars
Dialstone
Rainbow Cottage
Doran’s Pride
Into Viewand there are so many others I could name.
Can anyone else remember Cocklecootycottage – trained by Ken and Rhona Oliver at Hawick ? He was a very promising young horse and won twice over hurdles, but sadly broke down in his last race and was retired.
Good to see mention in previous lists of Arcturus, trained by Neville Crump, who was a good horse and twice won the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, though it may have been called something different back then. Sadly, Arcturus was killed in a fall at Ascot,
I also agree with Anglo German about the Czech-trained Registana. I am sure she would have won the Cross Country Steeplechase at Cheltenham but for taking the wrong course approaching the last fence, as she seemed to be going easily at the time and jockey Gehm had not really had to get at her.
Such good memories…………………
Cocklecootycottage ??geez I had forgotten all about him…….I can do more than remember him I rode him out countless times….all 17 hands of him…….Huge chestnut and Rhona loved him to bits…..used to take him into a field alone just in front of the stable lads quarters next to the yard and let him trot round and round for an hour or so………He was at his happiest when on his own doing things in his own time and was a pure gentleman of a horse……he would be past his best then, it was at the same time Colin and Nigel Tinkler were there…….I vaguely remember him running a big race and finishing placed somewhere and we were well chuffed. It was very unexpected as he wasn’t the fastest horse by that time. Can you remember when he broke down? as he was fine when I was there…..I am just wondering if he came out of retirement or he was just past his best by the time I was there and broke down later……it’s a very long time ago probably around the early 70’s but I’m sure he ran in a chase somewhere like Carlisle or Hexam in the race I am talking about.
Where he ended up when I moved on I have no idea but I am sure he would be well looked after as he was like the stable pet.
Having only really been following racing for the past 4 years or so, the jump horse that got me hooked was Brave Inca, whats happened to him ? has he retired ? i know he was injured back along. Kauto Star also a favourite of mine.
Charles Darwin to conquer the World
Hi guys.
Which are your favourite jump horses ever? ? ?
Istabraq has to be up there for me, along with Best Mate.
Now a days, my favourite horse by a long, long way is My Way De Solzen.
Thanks.
Ehhh – is that why you chose Kauto Star as your username?
It’s a dead heat for me – Florida Pearl & Moscow Flyer
the best is kauto star.he will turn over denman next year!however best are hedgehunter and straw bear.who are your favourite jockeys?
Does anyone remember a little mare called Phebu? @ late 1960’s…
Moe,
Go to Youtube and source RUK’s re-run of the 1965 Grand National – you’ll see Phebu leading or disputing the lead until being brought down at the 13th.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Loved greys in the past, my first memories being of Stalbridge Colonist, then The Beeches, Grey Sombrero – it broke my heart when he was killed in the National. In later years Dessie and One Man of course. Don’t go to the flat much but did enjoy seeing Halling racing. Nice to see someone else mention Dom Samouri – he was another favourite grey. Don’t think anything can surpass Red Rum though in my affections.
thanks g.c. am in National Velvet wallow in nostalgia land at the moment….I think Phebu was one of the horses in the newspaper cuttings next to my bed..had backed Team Spirit the year before and was well and truly hooked by 1965, but couldn’t remember that she’s actually ran in the National…
Having followed racing since the early 1960’s (especially National Hunt racing), some of my favourites over the years have been as follows :
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