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Golden Miller for me
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sea bird....once described by Mr Alec bird as the fastest horse he ever saw,some compliment that
Sea Bird was certainly the best I've seen.
I would liked to have seen Tudor Minstrel though.
I would liked to have seen Tudor Minstrel though.
I'd like to have seen Vodkatini run, quite a few times.
I'd give my right arm, this minute, to see Sceptre win her fourth classic.
Istabraaq with Charlie Swan talking to the other jockeys whilst cruising past them 
hello :-)
bertie wooster
A strange choice but brings back some very good memories as remember backing it at 20/1 at Newmarket in 89 in my last year at Uni. A few mates and I had made the trip across from Colchester and I remember that Bertie Wooster was top or joint top on the old stopwatch ratings in the sporting life. Happy days
I'd love to have seen Arkle run but before my time.
bertie wooster
A strange choice but brings back some very good memories as remember backing it at 20/1 at Newmarket in 89 in my last year at Uni. A few mates and I had made the trip across from Colchester and I remember that Bertie Wooster was top or joint top on the old stopwatch ratings in the sporting life. Happy days
I'd love to have seen Arkle run but before my time.
Ribot and Golden Miller's Grand National. Seen them all since Sea Bird. As a bit of nostalgia, Allez France who produced some of the most visually impressive displays of quickening past very good horses.
Golden Miller was also the first name to come to mind when I saw the title of the thread. I have seen most top class horses since 1955 so it had to be before that. On the flat it must be Sea Bird. I was able to watch live but grainy pictures at the time but I would have liked to see him live.
Dancing Brave for me, would love to have been there the day he won the Arc
Dancing Brave - a very good but very overrated horse IMO.
Had very good rides when winning the King George (not by far from Shadari) receiving a fair bit of weight if I remember correctly and similarly in the Arc. The picture that people will try to portray is that he came from the clouds in the Arc - he didn't!
Had very good rides when winning the King George (not by far from Shadari) receiving a fair bit of weight if I remember correctly and similarly in the Arc. The picture that people will try to portray is that he came from the clouds in the Arc - he didn't!
Some great names put up and i'd certainly like to have seen Tudor Minstrel ,Ribot and Golden Miller race. The horse i'd add to the list is the long forgotten Tulyar who won the Derby,St leger,King George and Eclipse.
Abernant was always seen as the greatest sprinter by those who watched him race.
Sea Biscuit. Would've loved to have been there for that famous showdown with War Admiral.
Burrough Hill Lad, Wayward Lad, proper national hunt horses
Pretty Polly.
There's a 50 page online book on her career here...
https://archive.org/details/prettypollyhisto00lech
If you turn the pages of the book, on page 3 is a pretty good photo of her passing the post on her 2yo debut at Sandown on June 27, 1903 on the 5f course. She's a long-looking 10 lengths clear. The horse just beaten for 2nd place is John O'Gaunt, who was runner-up in the 2000 guineas and Derby as a 3yo. She won 22 of her 24 races, most of them in a canter, including the Coronation Cup over the Epsom mile and a half in 2m 33 4/5 secs, a time only beaten in the race 3 times in over 100 years since. That time beat the time for the 1905 Derby, run a day earlier, by nearly 6 seconds, and which itself had been a record time for the Derby up to that point.
There's a 50 page online book on her career here...
https://archive.org/details/prettypollyhisto00lech
If you turn the pages of the book, on page 3 is a pretty good photo of her passing the post on her 2yo debut at Sandown on June 27, 1903 on the 5f course. She's a long-looking 10 lengths clear. The horse just beaten for 2nd place is John O'Gaunt, who was runner-up in the 2000 guineas and Derby as a 3yo. She won 22 of her 24 races, most of them in a canter, including the Coronation Cup over the Epsom mile and a half in 2m 33 4/5 secs, a time only beaten in the race 3 times in over 100 years since. That time beat the time for the 1905 Derby, run a day earlier, by nearly 6 seconds, and which itself had been a record time for the Derby up to that point.
Dancing Brave was 3rd last into the straight and 10 lengths off the lead in the arc 
Would had liked to had seen Dancing Brave in the flesh, got to see Warning & Burrough Hill Hill Lad in the flesh as a kid thou.
Would had liked to had seen Dancing Brave in the flesh, got to see Warning & Burrough Hill Hill Lad in the flesh as a kid thou.
If I had a time machine I would go back to see dear old Persian War. One well known face founded his empire with monies won on this great but abused champion.
Jumps - Arkle. By all accounts the greatest.
Flat - I've seen Frankel in nearly all of his races. I'd rather have seen him for one more season than go back and see any other horse. Sir Henry always thought he'd be even better at 5. If not I guess Sea Bird
Flat - I've seen Frankel in nearly all of his races. I'd rather have seen him for one more season than go back and see any other horse. Sir Henry always thought he'd be even better at 5. If not I guess Sea Bird
Having seen Arkle and Sea Bird ( on TV admittedly ) it would have to be Tudor Minstrel who I believe won the Gns at least as spectacularly as you know who.
Going MUCH further back I have always been intrigued by Gladiateur,the avenger of Waterloo.
Going MUCH further back I have always been intrigued by Gladiateur,the avenger of Waterloo.
virtual racing
I beleive a horse called black road has won the most races
I beleive a horse called black road has won the most races
Manifesto. I'd like to have been at Aintree in 1900 when he was carrying 12-13 and battled with the winner all the way from the 2nd last in trying, but failing, to win his 3rd Grand National. I'd also liked to have been there in 1904 when, as a 16yo carrying 12-1, he came home in 8th and last place, but still got a big cheer.
From years gone by, Arkle.
From tonight, American Pharoah. A crowd of 15,000 turned up just to see him exercise at Saratoga yesterday morning, and he was being cheered during his work out. The race is off at 10-46 tonight. Estimates are that 12,000 are already at the track. Wish I was over there !
From tonight, American Pharoah. A crowd of 15,000 turned up just to see him exercise at Saratoga yesterday morning, and he was being cheered during his work out. The race is off at 10-46 tonight. Estimates are that 12,000 are already at the track. Wish I was over there !
Surely many would love to have seen Mad Mouse run!
Hound I was amazed to read re the crowds turning up to see American Pharaoh gallop. Didnt realised there was such an interest there.
Hound I was amazed to read re the crowds turning up to see American Pharaoh gallop. Didnt realised there was such an interest there.
Arklearkle "Hound I was amazed to read re the crowds turning up to see American Pharaoh gallop. Didnt realised there was such an interest there."
Yes, a lot of the crowd even turn up wearing American Pharoah headgear, they go nuts over there for this horse. 10 hours before the race is due off, estimate 12,000 and counting already at the track.
This could be tough for him, first time there and this is a track that can take some knowing. He will be the 4th Triple Crown winner to run in this race - only 1 of the previous 3 have won.
Yes, a lot of the crowd even turn up wearing American Pharoah headgear, they go nuts over there for this horse. 10 hours before the race is due off, estimate 12,000 and counting already at the track.
This could be tough for him, first time there and this is a track that can take some knowing. He will be the 4th Triple Crown winner to run in this race - only 1 of the previous 3 have won.
I agree with koikeeper, when I saw this thread the first horse that came to mind who I never saw live was Burrough Hill Lad.
Classic horses are great but anyone remember a great little sprinter called Soba?
Isonomy. Deliberately missed the classics to win the Cambridgeshire. Won the Ebor at 8/11 conceding 30lb + to the field. One of the greatest horses of the 19th century.
Flyingbolt
Persian War
Would have loved to have seen all the Champion Hurdles during the 70's live. Some real class animals locking horns year in year out.
Persian War
Would have loved to have seen all the Champion Hurdles during the 70's live. Some real class animals locking horns year in year out.
Blue Peter. The first race I ever heard as a four year old was it's Derby win
Yes 1939. My mother was kneeling on an armchair with her ear up to radio. I asked what it was and she said 'Gambling,it's bad' I thought if it gets her so exited it must be good and was hooked
Yes 1939. My mother was kneeling on an armchair with her ear up to radio. I asked what it was and she said 'Gambling,it's bad' I thought if it gets her so exited it must be good and was hooked
The comments on here referring to Persian War are not out of place....I saw him run at Kempton,Sandown,Ascot and Newbury on a number of occasions and he was really the first horse to catch my imagination and give me an undying love of national hunt racing. He certainly deserved to have been owned and trained by persons who had his welfare at heart rather than the motley crew who actually supervised his career.
no doubt would love to see Sir Ken, even a video of him, his first Champion hurdle was against dual champion National Spirit and triple champ. Hatton's Grace. His record of consecutive wins(16) was broken only 60+ years later, one of the greatest racehorses.
I always like to see Sundew one of my favourites winning The 1957 National after having backed him in the two previous years. Then the race was run on a Friday. I listened to it on the radio at work.In the years after I backed Wyndburgh who never did get his head in front.
After the race one of our directors came downstairs from a board meeting and asked me who had won. He had backed it as well and his name was a horse of the future.. Denman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owJfg3j8rV8
After the race one of our directors came downstairs from a board meeting and asked me who had won. He had backed it as well and his name was a horse of the future.. Denman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owJfg3j8rV8
Not sure about Golden Miller. Five Gold Cups is five Gold Cups but the Gold Cup was not what it is today. Winning the same trial for the Grand National five times sounds a bit less impressive.
Frankel in the QA - for obvious reasons.
Detroit in the Arc - I was there for the first time and told the world and his brother he would win.
Offas Mead - One for the oldies. A run of the mill sprinter who I used to follow (for whatever stupid reason) and won at few juicy prices including 20/1 and 16/1 in consecutive races (or maybe the other way around).
Detroit in the Arc - I was there for the first time and told the world and his brother he would win.
Offas Mead - One for the oldies. A run of the mill sprinter who I used to follow (for whatever stupid reason) and won at few juicy prices including 20/1 and 16/1 in consecutive races (or maybe the other way around).
In regards to Persian War John Banks lost a lot of money laying him when he won the Champion H'Dle for the 3rd time
Soba
I remember soba very fast sprinter running in the late 1960s
I remember soba very fast sprinter running in the late 1960s
Tudor Minstrel -- 2,000 Guineas demolition similar to Frankel.
Eclipse -- as in, "Eclipse first, the rest nowhere".
Eclipse -- as in, "Eclipse first, the rest nowhere".
ive seen both Frankel and Kauto Star run many times.
Would luv to watch them again
Would luv to watch them again
seaside 29 Aug 15 19:00
Soba
I remember soba very fast sprinter running in the late 1960s
I believe Soba ran in the 70s/80s... started off in sellers...
Soba
I remember soba very fast sprinter running in the late 1960s
I believe Soba ran in the 70s/80s... started off in sellers...
Howard you are right, just look it up lol, she was born in 79.
not so much a horse but an era. would've liked to watch all those top chasers of the early to mid80s - wayward lad, burrough hill lad, silver buck, forgive n' forget, dawn run, badsworth boy etc. seems like a great time to have been a NH fan
then again i was fortunate to see kauto, denman, imperial commander, master minded and, slightly earlier best mate, moscow flye, well chief and azertyuiop
not so fussed with the flat, but i'll go for secretariat, amazing in the preakness (think it was the preakness?)
then again i was fortunate to see kauto, denman, imperial commander, master minded and, slightly earlier best mate, moscow flye, well chief and azertyuiop
not so fussed with the flat, but i'll go for secretariat, amazing in the preakness (think it was the preakness?)
it was the Belmont Stakes, and yes, that was truly amazing
thanks the bloob. always had thought it was the belmont but thought i remembered looking it up last month and realising that it was the preakness
getting old, memory going
getting old, memory going
arkle v flyingbolt for me - and throw in best mate , so that we can compare the different generation
SOBA, the extraordinary sprinting filly who rose from rags to riches to be crowned 'Queen of the North' in the 1980s, has died at the age of 25 at the Yorkshire farm where she was foaled.
The winner of 13 races, most memorable among them the 1982 Stewards' Cup, was put down after becoming ill at owner-breeder Muriel Hills's Lane Side Farm, near Bram-ham in West Yorkshire, the place where Soba's remarkable story began.
'She was born here and she died here,' said Hills. 'She had become a bit of a creaky old lady, but she had been in good health until last weekend when she wasn't quite herself. At first we thought it might be colic, but the vet said it was worse than that, so we had to put her down.
'She was a wonderful mare who had a great life and gave us so many wonderful memories, which we will always cherish.'
Despite her modest background and a particular dislike of a saddle, Soba was skilfully produced by trainer David Chapman to become one of Europe's top sprinters and, but for the presence of the outstanding Habibti, would have been an outright champion.
Her career took off aged three when, with blinkers applied in an effort to atone for some disappointing efforts at two, she got off the mark at Thirsk at 33-1 under the man who was to become her regular partner, David 'Dandy' Nicholls.
It was the first of 11 wins in 1982, a year during which she rose up the handicap by more than 4st.
The high point came undoubtedly at Glorious Goodwood, where her victory was achieved against all odds.
Just 17 days earlier, her run of six straight wins - the first five in five-and-half weeks - had come to an end when she was beaten at odds-on at Ayr and walked away slightly lame.
The bookmakers' ante-post favourite was removed from the Stewards' Cup lists, but a back problem was successfully treated by physiotherapy and she made every yard of the running from the supposedly unfancied number one stall to win at 18-1 and, in the process, smashed the six-furlong course record at the Sussex track.
Recalling that triumph and her career yesterday, Chapman said: 'That was a very big day because she'd been favourite for such a long time. Drawn one, people thought she had no chance and that let the pressure off a bit.
'She wasn't easy to train. She could bronk [buck] for England. You couldn't get a saddle or a roller or anything on her. Anything around the ribs she didn't like and she detested bikes. If she saw a bike she just went mad, but David [Nicholls] managed her all right.
'If it hadn't been for Habibti she would have been champion sprinter. But she trounced us every time we met, although Soba wasn't beaten far in the Prix de l'Abbaye, when she raced with stitches in a joint after a turbulent flight. I didn't see much of it because of the bad viewing at Longchamp and I never got a video of the race.
'Habibti didn't train on and I half wish we'd kept Soba in training, but we had agreed a foal-sharing arrangement with Robert Sangster and retired her. I trained one or two of her offspring, including Soaked, a grandson, who has done well for me but shows the same traits.'
Soba's final season featured two more wins, including the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood, and no fewer than four seconds to Habibti - in the July Cup, Vernons Sprint Cup at Haydock, York's William Hill Sprint Championship and the Abbaye, in which she was beaten a length.
Nicholls said: 'She gave me many happy days. She put me on the map at a time when I was scratching around for a living. Winning the Stewards' Cup was a great day, but, for me, the highlight came at Longchamp. Habibti kept beating us, but Soba so nearly got her that day.
'She was quite a difficult ride and a tough bugger. Twenty five is a good old age.'
The winner of 13 races, most memorable among them the 1982 Stewards' Cup, was put down after becoming ill at owner-breeder Muriel Hills's Lane Side Farm, near Bram-ham in West Yorkshire, the place where Soba's remarkable story began.
'She was born here and she died here,' said Hills. 'She had become a bit of a creaky old lady, but she had been in good health until last weekend when she wasn't quite herself. At first we thought it might be colic, but the vet said it was worse than that, so we had to put her down.
'She was a wonderful mare who had a great life and gave us so many wonderful memories, which we will always cherish.'
Despite her modest background and a particular dislike of a saddle, Soba was skilfully produced by trainer David Chapman to become one of Europe's top sprinters and, but for the presence of the outstanding Habibti, would have been an outright champion.
Her career took off aged three when, with blinkers applied in an effort to atone for some disappointing efforts at two, she got off the mark at Thirsk at 33-1 under the man who was to become her regular partner, David 'Dandy' Nicholls.
It was the first of 11 wins in 1982, a year during which she rose up the handicap by more than 4st.
The high point came undoubtedly at Glorious Goodwood, where her victory was achieved against all odds.
Just 17 days earlier, her run of six straight wins - the first five in five-and-half weeks - had come to an end when she was beaten at odds-on at Ayr and walked away slightly lame.
The bookmakers' ante-post favourite was removed from the Stewards' Cup lists, but a back problem was successfully treated by physiotherapy and she made every yard of the running from the supposedly unfancied number one stall to win at 18-1 and, in the process, smashed the six-furlong course record at the Sussex track.
Recalling that triumph and her career yesterday, Chapman said: 'That was a very big day because she'd been favourite for such a long time. Drawn one, people thought she had no chance and that let the pressure off a bit.
'She wasn't easy to train. She could bronk [buck] for England. You couldn't get a saddle or a roller or anything on her. Anything around the ribs she didn't like and she detested bikes. If she saw a bike she just went mad, but David [Nicholls] managed her all right.
'If it hadn't been for Habibti she would have been champion sprinter. But she trounced us every time we met, although Soba wasn't beaten far in the Prix de l'Abbaye, when she raced with stitches in a joint after a turbulent flight. I didn't see much of it because of the bad viewing at Longchamp and I never got a video of the race.
'Habibti didn't train on and I half wish we'd kept Soba in training, but we had agreed a foal-sharing arrangement with Robert Sangster and retired her. I trained one or two of her offspring, including Soaked, a grandson, who has done well for me but shows the same traits.'
Soba's final season featured two more wins, including the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood, and no fewer than four seconds to Habibti - in the July Cup, Vernons Sprint Cup at Haydock, York's William Hill Sprint Championship and the Abbaye, in which she was beaten a length.
Nicholls said: 'She gave me many happy days. She put me on the map at a time when I was scratching around for a living. Winning the Stewards' Cup was a great day, but, for me, the highlight came at Longchamp. Habibti kept beating us, but Soba so nearly got her that day.
'She was quite a difficult ride and a tough bugger. Twenty five is a good old age.'
Persian War winning his first Champion H'Dle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eev5QAkEhF4
and his last Champion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLKepud6fQQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eev5QAkEhF4
and his last Champion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLKepud6fQQ
seeing persian war in action still sends shivers down my spine
my choice would be the obvious from the national hunt arkle and from the flat nijinsky he seemed pure class.
I saw Nijinsky win the Derby I was standing on top of one of the tote buildings, I remember it was a hot day.
I would also like to see EKBALCO, I was there when it sadly fell and died at the last fence at newcastle when coming to challenge Gaye Brief..
Ran similar to Harchibald with exaggerated waiting tactics..
Ran similar to Harchibald with exaggerated waiting tactics..
i would of liked to have seen greville starkey start his run a bit earlier on dancing brave at epsom .....thats for f kg sure
One I went to see but didn't:-) We booked last minute to go to America in 1981 and I wanted to go to the Preakness to see Pleasant Colony run and hoped it would at least pay for our air fares.
We got late to Pimlico and the place was heaving and you could only shuffle around surrounded it seemed by drunks and pickpockets. You could not get a good viewing position, you could not see a horse in the parade ring for the crowds and the lines for the betting windows were miles long.
We gave up and took a cab back into Baltimore where we had an early dinner and listened to the race on the radio in the restaurant.
We got late to Pimlico and the place was heaving and you could only shuffle around surrounded it seemed by drunks and pickpockets. You could not get a good viewing position, you could not see a horse in the parade ring for the crowds and the lines for the betting windows were miles long.
We gave up and took a cab back into Baltimore where we had an early dinner and listened to the race on the radio in the restaurant.
I would have like to have seen Istabraq "run" in the 2002 Champion Hurdle.
If Jamie Spencer had ridden Dancing Brave the media would be falling over themselves telling us what a great ride it was and how unlucky it was that Jamie had finished second - thankfully things were different in 1986
Aug 30, 2015 -- 1:01PM, bankit wrote:
If Jamie Spencer had ridden Dancing Brave the media would be falling over themselves telling us what a great ride it was and how unlucky it was that Jamie had finished second
bankit cant remember but i dont think g.starkey ever sat on a k.abdullah horse ever again i know obv pat eddery took over on dancing brave.
Broadsword was always my favourite. One paced in the highest company but I used to get nervous watching it because I wanted it to win so much.
I know I have already had a go, but I would like to see Cawston's Pride's 1970 debut again.
Zafonic
Has there ever been a better one?
Makes all the others look one paced.
And what about Falbrav unstoppable on hard?
There are some horses that just couldn't be beat.
And the above are just two fine examples.
Yep Next
Has there ever been a better one?
Makes all the others look one paced.
And what about Falbrav unstoppable on hard?
There are some horses that just couldn't be beat.
And the above are just two fine examples.
Yep Next
now that was a fast 2yo blackbarn;one of my favourites in those days
Posy, some 2yo season that!!! CP, Mill Reef, The Brigadier and My Swallow (who was top rated!!)
Cloister winning the 1893 Grand National under 12st7lbs by 40 lengths carrying 34lb
Flat definitely Dancing Brave for me, someone earlier in the thread said he was overrated, I couldn't disagree more. Without a doubt my favourite horse of all time.
NH See You Then - not saying he was the best hurdler ever but remember 1986 CH watching him cruise round the last bend and gallop away up the hill.
NH See You Then - not saying he was the best hurdler ever but remember 1986 CH watching him cruise round the last bend and gallop away up the hill.
Cawston's Pride's
Went to Royal Ascot and told my friend to back it, he never did and it won at about 2/1 I think.
Another time I went to Ascot to back it and because of the prices I backed Mummys Pet instead
Result
Cawston's Pride won by 4l and I can tell you it is still like a dagger in the heart when I think about it.
Went to Royal Ascot and told my friend to back it, he never did and it won at about 2/1 I think.
Another time I went to Ascot to back it and because of the prices I backed Mummys Pet instead
Result
Cawston's Pride won by 4l and I can tell you it is still like a dagger in the heart when I think about it.
I remember going to Royal Ascot when Cawstons ran as a 3yo but think she refused to race that day ...i'd backed her and was very put out.
That was the Kings Stand, her very last race and she did indeed refuse to race. Her best progeny (of only four, I think) was the top class sprinter Solinus who went some way towards making up for mum's misdemeanour by winning the Kings Stand himself.
Sea Pigeon
I got into racing as a child in the 70's and I remember those great Champion Hurdles. I have chosen Sea Pigeon over the others because he was a Malton horse and he won the 2 races that I as an owner/breeder would love to win Champ Hurdle and Ebor.
I got into racing as a child in the 70's and I remember those great Champion Hurdles. I have chosen Sea Pigeon over the others because he was a Malton horse and he won the 2 races that I as an owner/breeder would love to win Champ Hurdle and Ebor.
Following on from what someone said earlier, I'd like to have seen them keep Falbrav in training for another season and run him in the July Cup.
He was my favourite Flat racer, shame they kept putting useless jockeys on him.
He was my favourite Flat racer, shame they kept putting useless jockeys on him.
El Gran Senor over 10f.
Think he would have been unbeatable.
I know he won the irish derby,but i
feel sure 10f would have been his best trip.
Think he would have been unbeatable.
I know he won the irish derby,but i
feel sure 10f would have been his best trip.
pearly man seen it carry 12,7 and beat good horses what a beast of a horse !
also liked seeing the mighty mac run, looked like one of these god like black Trojan ward horses .
fine stamp of a horse , anyone rem a horse Tracys special think
Andy Turnell trained
THINK IT HELD THE RECORD FOR THE MOST consecutive H/CAP WINS WENT UP 2 STONE AND STILL WON
also liked seeing the mighty mac run, looked like one of these god like black Trojan ward horses .
fine stamp of a horse , anyone rem a horse Tracys special think
Andy Turnell trained THINK IT HELD THE RECORD FOR THE MOST consecutive H/CAP WINS WENT UP 2 STONE AND STILL WON
Secretariat for me
STILL holds all 3 records in the 3 races that make up the triple crown (u.s.)
STILL holds all 3 records in the 3 races that make up the triple crown (u.s.)
23nights 30 Aug 15 13:26
bankit cant remember but i dont think g.starkey ever sat on a k.abdullah horse ever again i know obv pat eddery took over on dancing brave.
Starkey rode the Brave in the Eclipse.
bankit cant remember but i dont think g.starkey ever sat on a k.abdullah horse ever again i know obv pat eddery took over on dancing brave.
Starkey rode the Brave in the Eclipse.
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