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Most of us have Cheltenham Festival memories of triumphs and disasters from previous years .
My two memories couldnt be different ,one was a nightmare and the other was an amazing punt for me .
First the disaster -or was it a fiddle ? I think it was 1985 and a jockey called Dermot Browne rode the red hot odds on FAV in the Champion Hurdle . I had backed this horse all season and won a lot of money doing so . I went to Cheltenham that year just to back that horse . From memory I had two bets on the course just before the race and I think I had £1,100 on it . An absolute fortune for me at that time . The flag went up and they were off but the commentator yelled "Browns Gazette has whipped round at the start and lost over 25 lengths . Well the horse made the ground up after half way and was I think disputing the lead with one to go . But the effort expended catching the field up took its toll and he faded badly and finished out of the first three , Of course ,subsequently Dermot Browne was "warned off " all racecourses for being involved in doping . So I still wonder if he lost the race deliberately . That day left me with a really empty feeling . The bet was far too big for me at the time .
The second memory of Cheltenham is much happier and when Bregawn won the Gold Cup in 1983 it was my biggest ever racecourse win , about £3,400 which was an absolute fortune at the time . This race went into the history books because the first five home were trained by the youthful but shrewd Michael Dickinson .Dickinson had a fantastic strike rate and was the Martin Pipe of his generation . Bregawn that day was ridden by Gordon Bradley (also later "warned off") Bradley rode a super race on Bregawn as he led most of the race and somehow managed to keep the horse galloping strongly over the last when challenged by I think ,Silver Buck . I actually didnt see or hear the finish because thousands were cheering and jumping up and down . I can still feel the excitement as I collected my winnings from three different Bookies . That was a magical day for me and the day itself created history which will probably never be repeated.
Have others on here got similar highs and lows from past Cheltenhams ?
My two memories couldnt be different ,one was a nightmare and the other was an amazing punt for me .
First the disaster -or was it a fiddle ? I think it was 1985 and a jockey called Dermot Browne rode the red hot odds on FAV in the Champion Hurdle . I had backed this horse all season and won a lot of money doing so . I went to Cheltenham that year just to back that horse . From memory I had two bets on the course just before the race and I think I had £1,100 on it . An absolute fortune for me at that time . The flag went up and they were off but the commentator yelled "Browns Gazette has whipped round at the start and lost over 25 lengths . Well the horse made the ground up after half way and was I think disputing the lead with one to go . But the effort expended catching the field up took its toll and he faded badly and finished out of the first three , Of course ,subsequently Dermot Browne was "warned off " all racecourses for being involved in doping . So I still wonder if he lost the race deliberately . That day left me with a really empty feeling . The bet was far too big for me at the time .
The second memory of Cheltenham is much happier and when Bregawn won the Gold Cup in 1983 it was my biggest ever racecourse win , about £3,400 which was an absolute fortune at the time . This race went into the history books because the first five home were trained by the youthful but shrewd Michael Dickinson .Dickinson had a fantastic strike rate and was the Martin Pipe of his generation . Bregawn that day was ridden by Gordon Bradley (also later "warned off") Bradley rode a super race on Bregawn as he led most of the race and somehow managed to keep the horse galloping strongly over the last when challenged by I think ,Silver Buck . I actually didnt see or hear the finish because thousands were cheering and jumping up and down . I can still feel the excitement as I collected my winnings from three different Bookies . That was a magical day for me and the day itself created history which will probably never be repeated.
Have others on here got similar highs and lows from past Cheltenhams ?
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Unsinkable Boxer winning a handicap at Cheltenham . It could have been pulling a bus down the hill and still won !!
M Pipe had it way ahead of the handicapper , backed it on course at 5/2.
Flakey Dove winning the champion hurdle as it is a local horse - perhaps not the best re-match of the ch but what a brave horse winning plenty all season - in fact the dove family a great advocate for racing. Make a Stand's win in the CH for pipe again all the way great heart.
M Pipe had it way ahead of the handicapper , backed it on course at 5/2.
Flakey Dove winning the champion hurdle as it is a local horse - perhaps not the best re-match of the ch but what a brave horse winning plenty all season - in fact the dove family a great advocate for racing. Make a Stand's win in the CH for pipe again all the way great heart.
I wanted Wayward Lad for 12K...........................I watch it now & fink its won 
"So I still wonder if he lost the race deliberately"
Dik,
You must be one of the few people who witnessed the race to even question whether it was "Stopped".
It most certainly was
Dik,
You must be one of the few people who witnessed the race to even question whether it was "Stopped".
It most certainly was
so many greats times, Valiramix being the only time ive literally left the track in tears, so gutted...on the plus side best mate, istabraq and many more. My first trip was istabraqs first Ch and the day above that unsinkable boxer won, jesus now that was a hcap plot.. after backing the above 2 along with French ballerina in the supreme and sfc to beat his song ive never missed a year and I was hooked. the glow of so many high times is a life experience...its nearly time boys. As a good friend used to say to me, drink plenty boy ,and dance well.
The worst one for me was One Man's first Gold Cup.I'd had 2 ante-post bets at 20/1 and another at 100/7.Overall it was worth about £6500.I looked on it as money in the bank after he won the King George at Sandown,given that he went off at 11/8.After that would be Strong Promise who was worth £3400/£150.Jumping the last he went about 2 lengths clear only to be collared by Cool Dawn.
The best were Master Oats,whom I backed at 100/6 immediately after he won the Welsh National at Newbury,Cool Dawn at 50/1 on the evening of the race,and The Thinker at 25/1 after winning at Haydock.
The best were Master Oats,whom I backed at 100/6 immediately after he won the Welsh National at Newbury,Cool Dawn at 50/1 on the evening of the race,and The Thinker at 25/1 after winning at Haydock.
Bregawn that day was ridden by Gordon Bradley...
Aah yes, Gordon, what a jockey!
Nearly as good as Graham!
Aah yes, Gordon, what a jockey!
Nearly as good as Graham!
Gordon Bradley was never warned off, he'll have you for slander.
Aonoch in the stayers hurdle ridden by Sharon Oliver. She handed the race to Galmoy by forfeiting at least twenty lengths turning in.
Would love to see that race again if anyone has it, as I fear I may be exaggerating somewhat. Cant remember year though.
Bobsline and Noddys Ryde in the Arkle of 84. Best race ive ever watched live. Atmosphere electric.
PS- Brownes Gazette won the Supreme on that same card.
Would love to see that race again if anyone has it, as I fear I may be exaggerating somewhat. Cant remember year though.
Bobsline and Noddys Ryde in the Arkle of 84. Best race ive ever watched live. Atmosphere electric.
PS- Brownes Gazette won the Supreme on that same card.
darkie returns the year was 1987 and the jockey was actually Jacqui Oliver daughter of trainer Sally.
Sally and the News of the World Expose about drug taking was amusing
1985 Stayers Hurdle, as it then was.
Rose Ravine won, but murdered Crimson Embers on the run in. Same owner, and RR was the one with more money down, so no objection from connection, or jockey. CE was a great hurdler, lousy chaser, but loved Cheltenham and Ascot.
Shame the history books will never credit him that third victory though.
Who, me, yes, knew the team, might have had a few bob on both, but more on RR ;)
Rose Ravine won, but murdered Crimson Embers on the run in. Same owner, and RR was the one with more money down, so no objection from connection, or jockey. CE was a great hurdler, lousy chaser, but loved Cheltenham and Ascot.
Shame the history books will never credit him that third victory though.
Who, me, yes, knew the team, might have had a few bob on both, but more on RR ;)
What a Myth winning the gold cup as a 12 year old at 12-1 in the latter 60s and picking up a few quid short of a thousand.
2 grand would buy you a cottage, in real terms it was my biggest win.
In his earlier career he ran against the like of Arkle, Mill House, and Stalbridge colonist and Freddie.
Recieved 2 stone from Arkle and a beating in a few handicaps but improved with age finally won a gold cup.
Paul Kellaway was his jockey who a little later rode another of my absolute favourites Bula.
Josh Gifford was Ryan Price's first jockey who trained both horses so not sure how it came to be that Paul got the rides and kept them.
If there were better known horses in his yard I cannot remember them.
Perhaps Hill House was more infamous because it was proved he produced his own drug and got Ryan out of a certain ban after winning the scheppes trophy.
Anyway, if I had a system restore its the time I would return to.
2 grand would buy you a cottage, in real terms it was my biggest win.
In his earlier career he ran against the like of Arkle, Mill House, and Stalbridge colonist and Freddie.
Recieved 2 stone from Arkle and a beating in a few handicaps but improved with age finally won a gold cup.
Paul Kellaway was his jockey who a little later rode another of my absolute favourites Bula.
Josh Gifford was Ryan Price's first jockey who trained both horses so not sure how it came to be that Paul got the rides and kept them.
If there were better known horses in his yard I cannot remember them.
Perhaps Hill House was more infamous because it was proved he produced his own drug and got Ryan out of a certain ban after winning the scheppes trophy.
Anyway, if I had a system restore its the time I would return to.
Sorry ! It was GRAHAM of course !
Old age plays tricks !
Old age plays tricks !
Easy.Witchita Lineman winning in 2009, ish.Two to jump, must have been about tenth. Maljimar looked to be home and then?. How did he do that? WOW.
Hardy vs harchi for me.
Great memories.
Great memories.
Was it really 24 years ago Nortons Coin won the Gold Cup, I had been following the horse for well over a year & backed it in 89 when second in the Cathcart, having always been an ew merchant & reading the form of the nine runners in the few days leading up to the Race I deduced that Nortons only had to run to form to finish fourth at worst in a race basically full of handicappers like Nortons & of course Dessie the country's favourite horse by a million miles, a week before the race my local bookie laid me 100/1 when at the time 66/1 was the best price elsewhere & by Tuesday the 100/1 was being offered by all & sundry, I ended up backing it four more times & was so confident it would make the frame I even made my dad & another friend back it, it was only a nine runner affair with one the Bakewell Boy a 500/1 shot so it was really an eight runner affair, I think Bonanza Boy was fourth fav & it never had an earthly in my book on the fast ground, as the race progressed Nortons other than a mistake on the first circuit travelled ever so well & with three to jump it dawned on me that it could actually win the race, & as it came to the last it only had Toby Tobias to beat & duly went on to win by 3/4 length in a record time, a fluke ? no just an overpriced handicapper in a very very poor Gold Cup & a horse that should have been 25/1 being priced up at 100/1 as the bookies could not see past a horse that was in my opinion 20lb inferior going left handed.
Always easy in hindsight I suppose but I know I'll never have a more exiting racing memory if I live to be 100.
Always easy in hindsight I suppose but I know I'll never have a more exiting racing memory if I live to be 100.
A great day there to see Best Mate win his 3rd Gold Cup with my Dad (his last RIP ).
The worst Direct Route getting beat by Edredon Bleu, I will get over it I hope it's sometime soon.
The worst Direct Route getting beat by Edredon Bleu, I will get over it I hope it's sometime soon.
I should have won a lot more on the Bregawn Gold Cup race .I bet on course all the money I had with me at odds of around 100-30. I had about £30 left for a drink etc . But at the time I had two credit accounts with firms PTS and Heathorns . So I intended to have another £200 on Bregawn with them via the phone . There were no mobiles in those days . But the whole Course was heaving as usual and I reckon there were only two or three pay phones that were available to the public . Try as I might I couldnt get to use a telephone . The queues for each one were ten deep ,so I had no chance with only a few minutes to go before the off . So it was a big winning day but could have been another £600-£700 if I had got to a phone in time !
It still rankles !
It still rankles !
Saucy Kit............my 1st Chelt bet............
Are U allowed to "aftertime" on ere
Are U allowed to "aftertime" on ere
Calling Moondan - What a Myth
http://www.fatjockey.com/videos-pics/cheltenham_videos.php?What-A-Myth--The-1969-Cheltenham-Gold-Cup-6
http://www.fatjockey.com/videos-pics/cheltenham_videos.php?What-A-Myth--The-1969-Cheltenham-Gold-Cup-6
Rushing Wild.... 1st time under rules in the Foxhunters 1992.......... fairly hacked up... was told it was a certainty & won like one.
Cappa Bleu again 1st time under rules in the foxhunters 2009... backed it a few time ante post (unusual for me)...
Cappa Bleu again 1st time under rules in the foxhunters 2009... backed it a few time ante post (unusual for me)...
ive always wondered ab out that champion hurdle and that i think the whole family were warned off best moments pearlyman ans bobsline beating noddys ride
like to see local stable of Alan Hill win this years foxhunters with Harbour Light it looked a really good horse last year
Night Nurse for me - was then and still is one of my all time favourites - absolutely brilliant jumper of a hurdle
Night nurse for me as well and also loved a grand chaser called Spanish Steps running many times at Cheltenham.
so many great moments come to mind but for me my fav is old willie wumpkins not the greatest horse of all time but what a battler happy happy days
Generosa hacking up even more than the pipe/mccoy hot pot that was laid out for the pertemps 
the brownes gazette CH was my worst day in betting ever,id backed the horse ante post all year at odds between 10/1 & 4/1,stood to win nearly 40k whats that in todays money,was sick didnt have another bet for 3 months.
Had a torrid Festival couple of years ago. Down to 20 quid a race and a few quid for beer. 10er win 100 The Giant Bolster and a 5er Rev exacta with Long Run. Going mental on the members lawn 2 to jump and somehow McCoy appears on the scene on a horse Id written off at halfway! Headed for bar didnt have a bet last races.
Had a torrid Festival couple of years ago. Down to 20 quid a race and a few quid for beer. 10er win 100 The Giant Bolster and a 5er Rev exacta with Long Run. Going mental on the members lawn 2 to jump and somehow McCoy appears on the scene on a horse Id written off at halfway! Headed for bar didnt have a bet last races.
I agree with Darkiereturns about the Noddy's Ryde/Bobsline finish,I was stood near the last fence ... I also remember the silence as Cima (Peter Scu) came alongsides Dawn Run at the last hurdle in the Champion and then the huge roar from the stand !
Stephaniebot, I was gutted that Crimson Embers didn't get the 1985 Stayers seeing as Rose Ravine nearly put him in the car park.To this day I still cannot figure out how the stewards didnt alter the result.
Stephaniebot, I was gutted that Crimson Embers didn't get the 1985 Stayers seeing as Rose Ravine nearly put him in the car park.To this day I still cannot figure out how the stewards didnt alter the result.
I was working in a Stanley Racing shop in Hulme in Manchester before the worst sink Estate imaginable was raised to the ground.As was per usual with that firm the cashier was paid cash in hand and was on the dole.The shop was so big that if anyone asked for a price he got it.The Boardmarker was a mile away and wore a bullet proof vest (only joking)...
Desert Orchid won the Gold Cup and the whole place erupted..
Happy Days.....
Desert Orchid won the Gold Cup and the whole place erupted..
Happy Days.....
Was living in Hong Kong and spent three evening on the phone to playboy bookmakers who kindly put me on to the commentary for some of the races ...I especially remember Sea Pigeon being produced late to win.....phone bill at the end of the festival was massive.
One of the most exciting Gold cups I was present at was Ten Up...from memory it never stopped raining and he just ploughed through the mud up the hill.Don't think he was ever the same horse again.
One of the most exciting Gold cups I was present at was Ten Up...from memory it never stopped raining and he just ploughed through the mud up the hill.Don't think he was ever the same horse again.
Feck me posy I thought that I was old..
Do you still wear those white trousers on a Saturday Night....
Do you still wear those white trousers on a Saturday Night....
The first race I remember listening to on the wireless was Mr What's grand national !
I have another Cheltenham memory from a while back
I went to the Festival with a mate who used to do the Tote Jackpot and Placepot . So he invested in 10 tickets split 50/50 . At this meeting there were no end of turnups and outsiders placed but by the end of the 5th race my pal was still in there with a good chance . We looked at the tote screens which informed us there were only 4 remaining tickets to go into the 6th and final leg . As usual it was a largish pool and a winner could expect a Placepot dividend of well over £4000. My mates horse in the last was well fancied and second favourite. His horse was up with the pace all the way and actually took the lead over the last . But quite a few were in with a chance and his selection faded and finished 5th but only beaten for 3rd place by less than a length . So it was drown your sorrows time in the bar and pondering what might have been .I felt really sorry for him as his marriage had broken up and he was going through a hard time financially .But he persevered with doing Placepots and won nearly £2,000 a couple of years later at Newbury .
I went to the Festival with a mate who used to do the Tote Jackpot and Placepot . So he invested in 10 tickets split 50/50 . At this meeting there were no end of turnups and outsiders placed but by the end of the 5th race my pal was still in there with a good chance . We looked at the tote screens which informed us there were only 4 remaining tickets to go into the 6th and final leg . As usual it was a largish pool and a winner could expect a Placepot dividend of well over £4000. My mates horse in the last was well fancied and second favourite. His horse was up with the pace all the way and actually took the lead over the last . But quite a few were in with a chance and his selection faded and finished 5th but only beaten for 3rd place by less than a length . So it was drown your sorrows time in the bar and pondering what might have been .I felt really sorry for him as his marriage had broken up and he was going through a hard time financially .But he persevered with doing Placepots and won nearly £2,000 a couple of years later at Newbury .
Great memories from the OP - Bregawn had such a hard race in that '83 Gold Cup that I don't think he was ever recovered. Brownes Gazette would probably have gone on to win a Gold Cup if he hadn't lost his life prematurely, would have made a fabulous chaser. I seem to remember Dickinson saying he was potentially the best he ever had - some credit to the horse given the talent he'd had.
My own darkest moment was '74 when I went to see Pendil redeem himself after his defeat in '73 - the rest history. Undoubtedly one of the best horses never win the Gold Cup. Highlight was probably Dawn Runs '86 victory....still cant believe she got back up to win that race, what an atmosphere...magic!!
My own darkest moment was '74 when I went to see Pendil redeem himself after his defeat in '73 - the rest history. Undoubtedly one of the best horses never win the Gold Cup. Highlight was probably Dawn Runs '86 victory....still cant believe she got back up to win that race, what an atmosphere...magic!!
help required cant remember the year but racing was delayed by snow.the last race went off in nearly dark conditions.decided to have a pint then went to the field car park.we had lost the car in the pitch dark.
Probably 1987 beebs, Gold Cup day, race won by The Thinker, sticks in my memory as it was the day of my grandfathers funeral, and I was surprised that I still managed to catch some of the races...!
jenny pitmans antics of running golden freeze in the 92 gold cup as a spoiler, can you imagine the uproar if someone had done the same to ruin her fav's chances. carvills hill ev on the day let the old man down for over £32000 in a £10 ante post treble with suave dancer arc and mellotie cambridgeshire
Valiramix
Teeton Mill
Unsinkable Boxer
Istabraq
Moscow Flyer
Blowing Wind
Teeton Mill
Unsinkable Boxer
Istabraq
Moscow Flyer
Blowing Wind
Digging out an irish one for the pertemps final, Steel Dawn. Cantering all he way and making his move when brought down in the race Tindari won. Came out 2 days later and ran a stormer in the County Hurdle, finished like a train to grab third.
The best two races for me over the years have been The Champion Hdle (my fav race of the wk) And the Gold Cup. Both have been very gd to me in the ££££ stakes.
The one that brings back the best memory (tho not the most profitable) was in 2005. Hardy Eustace won his 2nd Champ Hdle & it was one of those bets that looked doomed (remember how Harchibald was stalking him going to the last) only for the warrior that was Hardy to out battle him up the final 100yds of that FAMOUS HILL 
to what looked a very unlikely VICTORY Just BLOODY FANTASTIC
ROLL ON 2MORO
The one that brings back the best memory (tho not the most profitable) was in 2005. Hardy Eustace won his 2nd Champ Hdle
& it was one of those bets that looked doomed (remember how Harchibald was stalking him going to the last) only for the warrior that was Hardy to out battle him up the final 100yds of that FAMOUS HILL to what looked a very unlikely VICTORY Just BLOODY FANTASTIC ROLL ON 2MORO
Was the OP (Dick D) a previous incarnation of onlooker? Very similar style of random capitalisation and more random punctuation?
I'd noticed that - but I think he does take holidays away from this country and racing? Or so I seem to recall from last time he was missed?
Yes mate , he went to Brazil last time he disappeared.
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