Cheltenham Festival
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Must be time we had one of these threads, even though it is only November.
I will put up two to kick us off:
My all-time favourite was Moscow Flyer regaining his QM crown after unseating the year before. Travelled liked the machine he was and when he took over three out it was the loudest roar I have ever heard from a Cheltenham crowd in over 20 Festivals. Well Chief made a real race of it, too, so a lot of people had huge smiles and sore throats by the winning line. Magic stuff.
The other memory that still makes me stare in disbelief was Istabraq winning his first Champion Hurdle in 1998. The opposition might not have been the strongest but he absolutely ripped the guts out of his field, tanking into the lead coming down the hill and flying up it like few horses have ever done in any race at the meeting since. I don't think I have ever seen such superiority in any other championship race at the meeting.
I will put up two to kick us off:
My all-time favourite was Moscow Flyer regaining his QM crown after unseating the year before. Travelled liked the machine he was and when he took over three out it was the loudest roar I have ever heard from a Cheltenham crowd in over 20 Festivals. Well Chief made a real race of it, too, so a lot of people had huge smiles and sore throats by the winning line. Magic stuff.
The other memory that still makes me stare in disbelief was Istabraq winning his first Champion Hurdle in 1998. The opposition might not have been the strongest but he absolutely ripped the guts out of his field, tanking into the lead coming down the hill and flying up it like few horses have ever done in any race at the meeting since. I don't think I have ever seen such superiority in any other championship race at the meeting.
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I agree Tom, high time this kind of thread reappeared!
Are we restricting this to those that we have witnessed live at the track or including those that we have also seen on TV? Moscow was certainly magic - when he got rid of Barry Geraghty the yr before, the deflation was utterly palpable in the enclosures. Regaining his crown definately had a kind of 'return of the king' feeling about it. What a horse and built like a tank. I think he knew he was good as well! More joyous and celebratory than spine-tingling, this yr's Gold Cup was wonderful with the 3 previous winners at the top of the hill, and Denman and Kauto turning in. I'll never forget that. I always manage to get round to the winners enclosure to see them return, and the cheers Denman and Kauto received were absolutely spine tingling. I also recall, when Nicky Henderson (et al) was leading Long Run back in, Paul Nicholls running over to him and giving him what can only be described as a massive big bear hug! Nicholls was drenched with adrenalin, pride, excitement and emotion - absolutely brilliant. That was pure joy. Again, perhaps not exactly spine tingling, but I must mention it, Imperial Commander's Gold Cup produced as tense an atmosphere as I can recall. Kauto's errors, Denman and Imperial being left clear and slugging it out. The prevailing mood after the race seemed to be a mixture of shock for lots of punters and excitement from such a wonderful duel. The noise did not build to a crescendo, as is often the case, but seemed to rise and fall throughout the race, fraught nerves, gasps, cries of shock and fear, relief when Kauto stood up, followed by an almighty surge of shouts and noise as the masses allegance switched to the mighty Denman. In terms of purely spine-tingling, however, my starter for 10 would be One Man. I can still hardly think about that without a tear coming to my eye. What a horse and that would be the most deafening that I have heard Cheltenham. Human emotion carried that horse up that hill. I do not think I have ever seen a horse deserve something more. I've got the video of his life and every few yrs watch it, always stopping the tape after that race. Next would be Denman's Gold Cup - I cannot describe it. Sheer unadulterated power and class. It was magnificent and brutal. The sky was pitch black and it poured down straight after the race. I felt at the time that Kauto hated the conditions and was so brave in defeat. That was really the day when I fell for Kauto but it was also the day when Denman for me confirmed what we all knew and suspected, but in a manner that was almost shockingly savage, that he was one of the greatest staying chasers of many, many yrs. Best Mate's 3rd Gold Cup. I think that poor horse does not really get the credit he deserves. His 3rd win, in ground he detested, after being cut up by Harbour Pilot, pinging the 2nd last and quickening up to the last, showing class in adversity, then holding on. Sublime piece of training by Hen and Terry to keep bringing him back. The atmosphere was one of sheer pandemonium and the heavens opened immediately after it but i do not think anyone who witnessed that minded one jot and i do not think anyone who got caught up in that day, that race, that reception, would ever forget it and i'll never hear a word said about Best Mate. |
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Thinking more, the feeling after Best Mate was relief, excitement and pure joy. It was utterly celebratory and I was privileged to be there. Relief, after all the stupid talk about matching the record of Himself, that it had been achieved. The feeling after Denman was similar, but not quite the same. Seeing him in the winners enclosure after the race, staggering about, steam rising, rain falling down, he did not have an immediate reference point like Best Mate, but there was a striking mood amongst the people I was with (and other enthusiasts we spoke to after the race) that we had witnessed an individual performance of such devastating raw power, the ultimate staying performance, the absolute pinacle possible from a staying chaser. I'll take that memory to my grave!
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Probably still Harchibald in 2005 absolutely cantering all over Hardy & Brave Inca coming down the hill and into the home straight. Yes, I know what happened next, but that was absolutely spine-tingling and electric in my book.
Rooster Booster "spring-heeled at the last" also a great moment. Desert Orchid somehow getting up to beat Yahoo. Even when I watch it on YouTube I still think he can't possibly win. |
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Hi R Carver - great memories in that lot for sure.
I was there for Best Mate's 3rd win and agree - he never got the credit he deserved. I always loved him, and actually backed him when he flew up the hill to grab second in the Supreme Novices'. However, I would say in an odd way his 3rd Gold Cup was one of the most painful races I ever watched. Relief, as you said, was the word to describe it in the aftermath. I was so nervous watching it and can remember watching Sir Rembrandt's late charge with absolute horror! |
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'absolute horror' - absolutely! I really loved Sir Rembrandt, but his late run was absolutely an unfolding horror! There really is (IMO!) nothing like the Festival. Why do we put ourselves through it!?
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Carver you star!
One Man's CC win was, for me, still the best memory of Cheltenham I will ever have, probably because I had only just got properly into racing a few years prior to that and that Festival was one of the first I witnessed live. There was so much s**t thrown at this horse for what he could't do at Cheltenham. Throw into the mix the manifetly decent nature of Gordon Richards, the fact that this was Brian Harding's one day in the sunshine and the terrible fate that befell the horse at Aintree only a few weeks later and you've got all the components of a real tear-jerker! He jumped them 'kin silly that day!! |
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Best for me personally was Collier Bay in the CH. Long term plan came off and I knew all of the connections well. Most moving was being beside the paddock when Best Mate won his third GC.
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 He did indeed Roger, jumped 'em silly! Such a magnificent horse. Justice was served that day at Cheltenham! |
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the roar when danoli won was the loudest i have ever heard,i think i must have been the only one on course not to have backed it but i also liked the reception istabraq got when he pulled up in front of the stands trying to win his fourth champion hurdle,people must have lost a fair bit of money but they still gave him a fitting send off
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Indeed GAZO
Sadly only few short years later, there was more than minority in the crowd cheering when a similar hero, Kauto Star, fell in the Gold Cup. Maybe this is down to the pi$$head element they seem to want to get in for the Gold Cup nowadays, or maybe it was the numpty, polarizing, scarf-based 'Denman or Kauto' marketing they went in for that year. |
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Kauto Star's second Gold Cup was amazing for me: the commentary when he pinged the last was brilliant... "He sometimes makes a mistake but NOT TODAY!!"
Big Zeb's QM was also special for me. The horse had received very little credit for what he had achieved in Ireland, and was ruled out as a horse who didn't perform in England and couldn't jump. If ever a finer round of jumping was seen at Cheltenham it must have been special indeed! For pure atmosphere it has to be Wichita Lineman's win in the William Hill Trophy. I was in a small ub in south Wexford where everybody (bar me of course) had him backed. Even without backing him the atmosphere was pure electric when he stormed up the hill. Bensalem's victory last year in the same race is something I'll never forget. I had him the previous year when he looked to be cruising before falling at the second last. The horse then endured illness and was lucky to be seen on the track again, before giving a gutsy display one year later to just get up close home. Seemed like destiny, that he had unfinished business. |
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Drever's 3rd Stayers victory. I never backed the horse but even I was willing it home. Great scenes.
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Last years Gold Cup, never forget the roar when everyone realised Kauto, Denman and Long Run were in a line coming to the last bend
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Has to be Master Minded's first Champion Chase win.
Pretty poor opposition but never seen a round of jumping like that ever, and probably never will do again |
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too many to mention i just love it.
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tomdeane - your memory of Moscow Flyer was a nightmare got us. We wre very close up, possibly even leading the Ten to Follow that year after the first day of Cheltenham (think the Rooster hosed up in Champion Hurdle). We didn't have Moscow in our list, so needed him to lose. Three out, two horses fell upsides him, leaving him a clear run to the line.
Nightmare - we finished 13th overall in the end, and would have been in prize money had Dickie Johnson not dropped his whip at Aintree and had Rooster short headed by Sacundai.  Have been going a fair few years now, and seen a few triple champions. Best memories though were probably Viking Flagship winning (loved that horse), One Man winning the Queen Mother with Brain Harding up top, and Sky's The Limit roping home off top weight in Coral Cup (after I'd told my mates he'd be winning only for them to fire back the stat that top weights never win that race). Nice little earner! |
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winning the ten to follow wow some feat that joci.
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Didn't win, only leading for one day after Cheltenham day 1.
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This year's Gold Cup was proper spine tingling
Inglis Drever's third stayers also |
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Yes, Inglis Drever was another special one. You just never felt for one second that we would not win the race-or Big Bucks last year for that matter- despite the flat spot that Inglis could throw in at the top of the hill. Something special about the stayers hurdle as top class ones are so rare. Another personal favourite was Oh So Risky in the Triumph as one of the syndicate was a friend of mine and Elsie had told them before Xmas that it was a certainty! It was ten lengths clear at half way and kept going further clear at 100/8.
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Sorry, I know its not at the festival, but when they pulled the screens back at Cheltenham and Spot Thedifference stood up, THAT was the best moment in racing ever!
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you old softy-was a great moment though, thats for sure.
Think my one would be when Rooster took it up in the CH,and me brother shouting at RJ not to go yet(he stood to win a small fortune).I shouted back that he had no choice,and then we both screamed him home like lunatics,fantastic stuff. |
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That was indeed great for me too.
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It was terrific seeing Rooster
 pulling like a train through that race. What a horse. And yes, great call Wellchief, seeing Spot stand up put about 5 yrs on my life I reckon (festival or not!) |
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Sageform ,think that time has rather gilded the lily with regards to Oh So Risky`s performance in The Triumph,from my memory, and it was a defining moment for me as it cemented my love for NH and Cheltenham in particular he traveled powerfully throughout the race and came their absolutely swinging off the bit two out and just cleared away on the run after the last two to win unchallenged.
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Having given this some thought. The best moment would be Rooster Booster champion hurdle win fairly hosed in that day.
Did help I'd had first three winners that day !!! (Azerty and Back in Front from memory) |
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Vectis you might be right, but at least you agree it was no contest. I was sure he was leading as they turned down the hill though. My first ever Triumph winner was Heighlin, another Elsie star, and it has been my lucky race at the festival down the years. My biggest frustration was also in the Triumph when Cima got beaten by a horse trained by Dina Smith. It had won in France as early as the previous May and not many people know that the Triumph is not a novice hurdle-it is a 4yo only hurdle- not the same thing, although these days the season starts earlier and it makes little difference. It got no better for us when Cima got beat half a length in the CH by Dawn Run in the first ever Group 1 hurdle when mares got an allowance. Cima had won at Royal Ascot but was a very unlucky horse over hurdles.
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Think my most spine tingle was actually going to the festival for the first time.Sat in that bar with the old green paint and basic area (the one thats now the Upstairs bar in the centaur as soon as you go into tatts) and just being amazed at the view of the track with that beautifull backdrop,then seeing all these wonderfull horses id only ever seen on tele.If i could get that feeling back id buy it.Still remember it every time i go through the gates at 10.30 on the Tuesday with an awesome feeling.
As for the races,for me betting wise it was Alderbrook win but for sheer excitement the commntaries on unsinkable boxer and Rhinestone cowboy (at the foot of the hill) were proper moments. Not long now guys |
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i wasnt there that day but denman winning gold cup deserves a mention
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rooster booster for me too....thought to myself the year before after the county hurdle that he had an each way chance in a post istabraq era....only bothered to back him after he won at kempton at the start of the following season....told all my mates to back him though....the sight of him throwing his head from side to side coming down the hill was fantastic....and then jet propelled at the last.....i even use him for my e-mail address
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Last year when Divers won the last race on the first day @ 10/1 to give me a 6 timer EW. Realth Dubh was 3rd
 Let me down for €120,000al ferof 10/1 bensalem 13/2 hurricane fly 11/4 quevega 4/6 divers 10/1 Cant remember the other winner, collected €4000+ for a €40 stake(ew trebles and upwards). My most fav winner was Imperial Commanders GC, as I knew of his potential before he left Ireland and I followed him for his career. |
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have you lot not seen night nurse ch runs dont get any better
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Denman's Gold Cup in '09 by a street!
I was there that day, and there was a real sense of watching something you'll never see again. People can argue that Kauto Star wasn't at his best that day but i'll disagree...what Denman produced was in my opinion the greatest performance you'll ever see over fences! You could of put ANY horse in the prime of his career in that field and the result would of been the same. It demonstrated the absolute limit of a horse's capability. |
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A personal one for started in November 1984 as a young looking 17 year old, I got my dad to go into Billy's and put me a fiver (I was paid £58 per week at the time) on First Bout to win the Triumph Hurdle the following March. I could hardly believe it when he stayed on up the hill. I've won far greater fortunes at The Festival since, but having turned 18, the week before this win, I wenrt and collected my own winnings.
I'll also never foeget Ten Plus in the Sun Alliance Hurdle. |
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Doubt I'll forget when Amaretto Rose came there cruising 2 out, and the roar that went up as the commentator noted how well she was going. It was my first Festival and I'd backed her at 12s; while she didn't quite prevail, that moment 2 out was absolutely fantastic.
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Champion Bumper.....Pizarro Rhinestone Cowboy finish .....the roar when Rhinestone was called over the tannoy as going well....think the whole course had backed him ....the barging match in a driving finish... the stewards enquiry lasted 30min te couse in darkness with everyone waiting for the result ...still to this day i dont know how Pizarro kept the race .....probably my pocket talking as that was my biggest bet that festival
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Joist Joined: 06 Mar 06
Replies: 758 08 Nov 11 15:37 Doubt I'll forget when Amaretto Rose came there cruising 2 out, and the roar that went up as the commentator noted how well she was going. It was my first Festival and I'd backed her at 12s; while she didn't quite prevail, that moment 2 out was absolutely fantastic. relative festval novice joist |
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Joist Joined: 06 Mar 06
Replies: 758 08 Nov 11 15:37 Doubt I'll forget when Amaretto Rose came there cruising 2 out, and the roar that went up as the commentator noted how well she was going. It was my first Festival and I'd backed her at 12s; while she didn't quite prevail, that moment 2 out was absolutely fantastic. relative festval novice joist |
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Indeed Howdi! Haven't missed one since and doubt I will for the next 50 years tbh.
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