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Not one of the greatest, but a very,very good racehorse and my favourite flat horse ever.As a 14 year old loved him as a two year old, a stunning chestnut with that white blaze.
Distraught when he lost his first two races as three year old he soon bounced back to enjoy a stellar career. I vividly remember listening to the Derby on the radio at school, oh I wish it was still held on a Wednesday,and cheering wildly when he won.
There’s nothing much to add to the King George other than to say the admiration I felt as a youngster for the guts and courage displayed still holds to this day.
@ Gladiateur
As you say all opinions with mine based on what I witnessed.Born at the same time,I’m too young to remember Flying Bolt but, from what I’ve read over the years, can’t disagree with your assertion on that particular horse.
Can’t have it at all that Silver Buck was superior to the Lad; Dickinson himself, in interviews I’ve read, always maintained that same opinion.At the time of peak Wayward Lad the winner of the King George was often considered the best chaser in training and his record in that race was second to none.
Where the Lad beats CH for me is his consistency and longevity and, for me, it’s only that darn hill that stops the Lad winning a deserved Gold Cup. Like Ian I had my 12/1 win only slip ready to take to my local bookies till Dawn Run snatched away considerable readies.
Loved the horse but wasn’t even Dickinson’s best 3m chaser;that accolade goes to Wayward Lad.The best horse not to have won a Gold Cup, those last few yards.
The greatest.
A sporting hero of mine,it’s been a privilege to have watched the absolute master of his craft.
He transcended the sport;everyone just knew who Lester was.
RIP
It actually annoys me a bit because I can never enjoy a good horse for what it is – a good horse.
I end up reacting against the “superstar” hype.
ID, you are far and away my favourite, and best,poster on this forum but your hypocrisy here is somewhat galling. I refer you, my honourable friend, to a certain NH horse that has run only the three or four times.
Marlingford, he was , I bet he hated the sight of Kauto’s backside.I can still remember those famous pink colours(Ogden) and cheekpieces. What a pity he died so young without enjoying a full and happy retirement.
It was Kauto Star who was ED nemesis.I kept backing ED, more in hope than expectation, thinking his turn would surely come.It never did sadly but what a magnificent horse ED was; one of the best horses never to win the Gold Cup.
Strongest? the only anti-racing establishment view I’ve ever heard him express. Gobsmacked he’s expressed a view that I agree with.
An unashamed Big Mac lover here. Not only a great entertainer but, when not playing a caricature of himself, knowledgeable too.
Loved the fact he was never short of an opinion nor afraid to voice it;the total antithesis of his colleagues of the time and also the current cast.
How McCoy and Fitzgerald maintain their presence i don’t know. They put me to sleep quicker than the missus giving me the come on on an evening
The Irish National falls on Easter Monday; I’m sure I read somewhere last year this is the reason for the switch.
https://www.racingtv.com/news/robbie-power-i-don-t-fancy-frodon-kemboy-is-the-one-to-beat
Interesting, and understandable, thoughts from Robbie Power.
We can all have our opinions on who’s the best, Sea Pigeon was my personal favourite, but surely no one can deny what an era this was for hurdlers.It was a privilege to be able watch these warriors on a regular basis. Even now, all these years after it brings a smile to my face.
As mentioned up thread these horses turned up everywhere; what a contrast to the shambles these days.
At 14 years of age I was mesmerized by Grundy.I thought he was a beautiful looking horse; taught me how to appreciate a real chestnut
The NH horses of the seventies/ early eighties who not only raced regularly but against each other. Sea Pigeon was my particular favourite but that’s not to forget Night Nurse and Birds Nest and the other hurdlers from that era.
Wayward Lad another favourite; IMO the best chaser not to win the Gold Cup.
One sees so little of today’s stars, how many times has the dual gold cup winner appeared in two seasons , it’s difficult to build up the affection and interest of yesteryear.
Even though Wayward Lad, my favourite chaser, got beat ,the 1986 Gold Cup was pretty special.A champion beaten by another champion who, surely, would have gone on to be one of the greatest.
Now and then I still watch the finish on you tube and still think he is going to break his Cheltenham hoodoo.”The mare’s beginning to get up”
