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It was a great year with Sprinter Sacre, Frankel, one of the closest ever Grand National finishes and a triple crown almost won.
But, for me, the highlight was Black Caviar turning up at Ascot. The whole build up and then the day itself, electric atmosphere and a pulsating race with a highly dramatic climax.
Although the Lexus is up there, for me the highlight was the World Hurdle. Exceptional rides on Big Bucks and Voler La Vedette.
For me it is between Frankel’s Queen Anne demolition and the Juddmonte International romp …
The Queen Anne victory branded the belief in my head that there is no horse from the past and present that could’ve lived with Frankel over a mile. What the future will hold for an equal to Frankel is anyone’s guess but I strongly doubt I’ll ever see a better miler.
The Juddmonte International was an absolute tease. It was ease and style of the win that left me aching inside to see him step up to 12 furlongs. Seriously, we can’t have a horse this damn good and just pack him off to stud. Frankel was far too brilliant to be retired. It wasn’t the ‘sky’s the limit’ for Frankel … it was more like "
Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the sensational Frankel. The five-year old mission: to explore great new distances, to seek out new races and new opposition, to boldly go where no champion has gone before
"
It could so easily have been an anti-climax, but Frankel retiring undefeated on Champions Day and Sir Henry Cecil standing tall and proud despite a titanic battle with cancer.
That day will live with me forever.
It’s our friend Tidal Bay for me, not yesterday although that was a super race, at Sandown in April when at last he won another top chase, creeping to the front like he had started a circuit later than the others.
Will have to have memories
a. Jezki in the Future Champions at Leopardstown Dec 27th, him coming off the last hurdle was visually the most impressive horse have seen when at a track this year.
b. The anticipation and build up to seeing Camelot run at the Irish Derby. The ground was horrible and eventually it was a slog, so can’t say the race itself.
c. The Tied Cottage at Punchestown, both Big Zeb and Sizing Europe looked great, but it was the moment the Andrew Lynch mounted Sizing Europe and his handler just asked him to bring him back safe. Just demonstrated how much the horse meant and it was not just a question of winning."And……….They can’t get him off the bridle!!!!!"
Hairs. Neck. Stand.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
I think the race I got the most emotionally involved with this year was the Ryanair Chase. I’ve grown very fond of Alberta’s Run over the last few years and I was screaming at the t.v screen as he battled up the straight with Riverside Theatre.
I was gutted that he got touched off on the line to deny him a third win in the race but it was such a fabulous and pulsating contest to watch. I thought both Barry Geraghty & Tony McCoy gave the first two superb rides as well.
Obviously Frankel was magnificent. I very much doubt I’ll see another horse as good as him again.
Hello Bud winning the Becher Chase at Aintree, sheer guts from a really brave horse and huge cheering from people, including me, from the grandstands.
Richard Hughes, champion jockey with the highlights being 7 on the Windsor card and TRF Flat jockey of the year….
Horse highlight being Sprinter Sacre.
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
At long last a grey winning the Grand National! One of my earliest ever memories is watching the National on tv when Nicolaus Silver won. For years I’ve backed greys and this year I was there to see Neptune just get home.
But I have to say Tidal Bay’s Lexus win was a VERY close 2nd to that!!!
Brindisi Breeze and Campbell Gillies – Friday 16th March 2012
RIP
Same choice here. A brilliant ride by Campbell on as good a hurdler as Scotland has had for many a year. Sadly rider and horse are no longer with us, but what a testament to their talent this race left us.
Rob
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