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Why I think Brigadier Gerard should be named The People’s Champion.
Brigadier Gerard was born on 5th March 1968, a beautiful bay colt of perfect conformation and into a horseracing dreamland when so many all-time great racehorses including Vaguely Noble, Sir Ivor, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Rheingold, Allez France, Dahlia, Secretariat and many more were strutting their stuff.
From the very beginning Brigadier Gerard’s life was destined to be a fairytale of determination, spirit, courage and love. To say he rose from lowly and humble beginnings would be a huge understatement. His mother was a half barren, half blind maiden mare of very limited ability and his father an inexpensive, under-used second division stallion. Surely, to succeed, would be beyond all wildest dreams?
And his early life was no cakewalk. Owned by possibly one of the most widely disliked couples in the history of horseracing they punished their beautiful young horse by having him chained up for weeks on end in a dark stall with no way of seeing out of a window or door, simply to teach him a lesson and to break his spirit.
Thankfully salvation awaited because Brigadier Gerard was trained by Dick Hern. A brilliant, well respected, much loved and unassuming champion trainer, and ridden superbly by Joe Mercer, a similarly brilliant, well respected, much loved and unassuming champion jockey.
Given the ingenious name of Brigadier Gerard in recognition partly of his father Queen’s Hussar and also a Conan-Doyle character, a fictitious swashbuckling hussar fighting in the Napoleonic wars the Brigadier’s racing career was to be a reflection of the gallantry, bravery, brilliance and endurance of his namesake.
But would it, could it ever be possible for a one-man, owner breeder, the backbone of horseracing to compete head-to-head, hoof beat to hoof beat against the huge, worldwide, blueblood breeding empires with their rambling estates and ivory towers?
Well, on the racecourse, Brigadier Gerard was bewitching. A top class two-year old, a top class three-year old and a top class four-year old his career was filled to overflowing with class, style, courage, myth and legend. His owners left no stone unturned to ensure he was tested to the absolute fullest and beyond. Winning at the highest level, beating great horses, over a wide range of distances, on all goings, carrying penalties and breaking course records he won 15 races unbeaten and his only defeat in 18 starts was in a race that even today is often recognised as the biggest mystery in the history of the turf. It was a campaign unlikely ever to be repeated.
In his book The Brigadier, John Hislop proudly proclaimed “Though in law Brigadier Gerard belonged to me and Jean, in spirit he belonged to England: to all who stood in admiration around him, to the thousands who followed his career and had never seen him. In him every Englishman justly could take an equal pride, for he was part of our heritage”.
Retired to stud after his four-year old career his misguided owners continued to persecute their prince by imposing unheard of draconian rules preventing all commercial breeders from using him.
Nevertheless, Brigadier Gerard, year on year, had grown bigger and stronger. He never missed a day’s work in his life, he had no faults and he was the perfect racehorse requiring only a simple bridle and a saddle. The great and renowned sculptor John Skeaping added to his admirers by proclaiming that he was the most perfectly formed horse he had ever seen. Today his full-size bronze, by this sculptor, stands proudly at Newmarket racecourse.
Brigadier Gerard died in his paddock on 29th October 1989 and was buried nearby in what could best be described as a mystical, magical garden at Swynford Paddocks, Six Mile Bottom near Newmarket. Possibly within earshot of many of his greatest triumphs.
If you haven’t already visited his grave, then you should. You will never forget it.
Brigadier Gerard was voted Flat Racehorse of the Century for last century and nothing so far this century can match him on ratings , ask Timeform (their sums don't add up), or on achievements on the racecourse.
Get your votes in now!
Brigadier Gerard was born on 5th March 1968, a beautiful bay colt of perfect conformation and into a horseracing dreamland when so many all-time great racehorses including Vaguely Noble, Sir Ivor, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Rheingold, Allez France, Dahlia, Secretariat and many more were strutting their stuff.
From the very beginning Brigadier Gerard’s life was destined to be a fairytale of determination, spirit, courage and love. To say he rose from lowly and humble beginnings would be a huge understatement. His mother was a half barren, half blind maiden mare of very limited ability and his father an inexpensive, under-used second division stallion. Surely, to succeed, would be beyond all wildest dreams?
And his early life was no cakewalk. Owned by possibly one of the most widely disliked couples in the history of horseracing they punished their beautiful young horse by having him chained up for weeks on end in a dark stall with no way of seeing out of a window or door, simply to teach him a lesson and to break his spirit.
Thankfully salvation awaited because Brigadier Gerard was trained by Dick Hern. A brilliant, well respected, much loved and unassuming champion trainer, and ridden superbly by Joe Mercer, a similarly brilliant, well respected, much loved and unassuming champion jockey.
Given the ingenious name of Brigadier Gerard in recognition partly of his father Queen’s Hussar and also a Conan-Doyle character, a fictitious swashbuckling hussar fighting in the Napoleonic wars the Brigadier’s racing career was to be a reflection of the gallantry, bravery, brilliance and endurance of his namesake.
But would it, could it ever be possible for a one-man, owner breeder, the backbone of horseracing to compete head-to-head, hoof beat to hoof beat against the huge, worldwide, blueblood breeding empires with their rambling estates and ivory towers?
Well, on the racecourse, Brigadier Gerard was bewitching. A top class two-year old, a top class three-year old and a top class four-year old his career was filled to overflowing with class, style, courage, myth and legend. His owners left no stone unturned to ensure he was tested to the absolute fullest and beyond. Winning at the highest level, beating great horses, over a wide range of distances, on all goings, carrying penalties and breaking course records he won 15 races unbeaten and his only defeat in 18 starts was in a race that even today is often recognised as the biggest mystery in the history of the turf. It was a campaign unlikely ever to be repeated.
In his book The Brigadier, John Hislop proudly proclaimed “Though in law Brigadier Gerard belonged to me and Jean, in spirit he belonged to England: to all who stood in admiration around him, to the thousands who followed his career and had never seen him. In him every Englishman justly could take an equal pride, for he was part of our heritage”.
Retired to stud after his four-year old career his misguided owners continued to persecute their prince by imposing unheard of draconian rules preventing all commercial breeders from using him.
Nevertheless, Brigadier Gerard, year on year, had grown bigger and stronger. He never missed a day’s work in his life, he had no faults and he was the perfect racehorse requiring only a simple bridle and a saddle. The great and renowned sculptor John Skeaping added to his admirers by proclaiming that he was the most perfectly formed horse he had ever seen. Today his full-size bronze, by this sculptor, stands proudly at Newmarket racecourse.
Brigadier Gerard died in his paddock on 29th October 1989 and was buried nearby in what could best be described as a mystical, magical garden at Swynford Paddocks, Six Mile Bottom near Newmarket. Possibly within earshot of many of his greatest triumphs.
If you haven’t already visited his grave, then you should. You will never forget it.
Brigadier Gerard was voted Flat Racehorse of the Century for last century and nothing so far this century can match him on ratings , ask Timeform (their sums don't add up), or on achievements on the racecourse.
Get your votes in now!
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Replies: 39
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He will have my vote brigust. A great champion who proved it over every distance from five furlongs up to a mile and a half.
Major wins Washington Singer Stakes (1970) Middle Park Stakes (1970) 2000 Guineas (1971) St. James's Palace Stakes (1971) Sussex Stakes (1971) Goodwood Mile (1971) Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1971 & 1972) Champion Stakes (1971 & 1972) Westbury Stakes (1972) Lockinge Stakes (1972) Prince of Wales's Stakes (1972) Eclipse Stakes (1972) K. George VI & Q. Elizabeth Stakes (1972) |
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Take a bit of beating no doubt some Einstein out there will come up with something
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It's all a bit silly though when you see horses such as Ribot and Sea Bird 11 priced at 100/1 and 40/1. People are not going to vote for horses of whom they never even saw.
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Frankel long odds on surely
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Thank you, Sparrow. I don't expect anything I am too old for that but it is a bit of fun. If it was about form or ability that would be different but horseracing is about our favourites. Frankel and Desert Orchid are 3/1 jt favs Isleham.
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By the nature of the title I would have thought 3 runners dessie ,red rum and sea pigeon.clearly non of those are as good as the likes of the brigadier,dancing brave and frankel but peoples champions.
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That's the way I would look at it as well Jimnast, although I'll concede it's a question of personal choice. For me, the idea of a peoples champion would be a horse like Limestone Lad. Bred, owned, and trained by a small farming family in rural north Kilkenny. Climbed the ranks from winning average handicap hurdles off marks in the mid 90s to competing against and beating the mighty Istabraq, ending up on a mark in the mid to high 160s. Admittedly he often wasn't a backable price, but people attached themselves to a rags to riches story. The fact Limestone Lad is not even nominated amazes me.
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Sounds like Brigadier Gerard, Monarch. Anyone could have owned him and anyone could have bred him. He wasn't what you call a blue-blood and none of todays empires would have bred him, that's for sure. They certainly wouldn't have owned the mare and definitely wouldn't have used the stallion. There is hope for everyone.
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Good call with limestone lad monarch 35 wins and 3rd in the best stayers hurdle I’ve ever seen.
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Another one in that category is soba who’s highlight appropriately was winning the stewards cup ,held on a tuesday in those days
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Agreed Brigust. BG was before my time, but I totally understand why many (and particularly your good self) would be so enamoured with him. That was a brilliant Stayers that year Jimnast. He went down to 2 very good horses. The Bowe's struck gold again around that time of course with Solerina. Beat the likes of Kicking King, Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace in her career.
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You’ve just mentioned my favourite national hunt horse there monarch in hardy eustace and yes solerina was some mare originally trained by Tom foley of danoli fame,
The stayers that limestone lad was 3 rd in saw for me the best performance I’ve se3n by a novice hurdler and the horse didn’t even win. |
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You on about Iris gift?
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It is difficult sharing this between the flat and national hunt, they are completely different. Few good horses are around for long on the flat while the exact opposite is true over the jumps. My fan club of NH horses spans a number of decades and includes Arkle, Mill House, Sea Pigeon, Persian War, Bula, Crisp, Desert Orchid, Kauto Star and Moscow Flyer and that is the nature of jump racing.
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Yes penzance he got his revenge the following year as it happens solerina ran that year
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Morning Laurie,
Nice write up and good to see you posted here (as discussed). A difficult choice to determine 'People's Champion' and many will not have been around for BG, Red Rum, Arkle et all so they will be disadvantaged. The likes of Frankel and Tiger Roll are more recent and must be in the mix, and let's not forget Constitution Hill. With some sports the vote would be more clear cut, Ronnie O'Sullivan in snooker for example, but horse racing and personal choice is far more difficult in context of what is actually voted for. Good luck with BG and have a fantastic time next week. |
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Andrew - Nice and thoughtful reply. I think we were both in Ascot for Frankels last run, and what a day it was. It was not his best performance, but to be there that day, and witness the moment, was fantastic. For best days on a racecourse it is my undoubted winner.
I've thought a bit about this 'peoples champion' thing, and a few points spring to mind. Obviously age is a factor. I wasn't lucky enough to see Arkle or Brigadier Gerard. Or even for me Dancing Brave. All greats, and all plaudits well earned. In my generation, there is obviously Frankel or Kauto. Then there is the NH v Flat scenario. Always differences there. I noticed Cue Card made the list, and with respect he would not have even entered my calculations. Equally with Lammtarra on the flat. Both fine horses, but in my opinion not 'peoples champion[s]'. Then there is the Q of class. Many of our favourites never shot the lights out class wise, but were warriors in all those top handicaps (either F or NH). I think immediately of Suny Bay and his near misses in big handicap races. Always cheered him on even when I hadn't a shilling on. The Irish angle also makes a massive difference. I previously mentioned Limestone Lad. But could have equally mentioned Danoli, Doran's Pride, Beef or Salmon, even Presenting Percy. The key being it will always be a NH horse over here. Galileo made the final 'People's Champion' list, and he never registered with the racing folk over here like a jumps horse would do. And finally, and perhaps naturally, it comes down to what horse made you the most money. And it is here the waters get muddied. We all have our own champ. It could be the last leg of a Yankee, or an Ante Post winner. Or, if you were lucky, you owned all or part of a winner. The key thing is, love racing. Yes, there are many faults in the game currently (on both sides of the Irish Sea). But we have potential greats in our midst, like Constitution Hill (and maybe City of Troy on the level). And we can rightly eulogise the past greats, from a 5f speedter to a dour staying chaser. Enjoy every moment. |
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Great post Monarch. This person's champion would be Border Incident all day long, but I accept that there are not many who would agree with me (or even have heard of the horse in question)
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airto - cannot say I know Border Incident. Likely before my time. But if that horse gave you joy then enjoy the memories. I'd assume for most it was the buzz racing gave us, rather than the winning slip, that enticed us into the sport in the first place. Gambling on it only followed. Clearly betting has become a key component, or else we wouldn't be on here. But let's never lose sight of the fact that the sport gets into our bones before the betting does.
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Agree 100% airto , Border Incident for me as well.
Suspect we're just two of a kind though  |
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Constitution Hill !! …Jesus….!
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Yes great post monarch Doran’s pride certainly a great favourite of mine ,probably as loud a roar as I’ve heard at Cheltenham when the racecourse commentator called his name on the run to two out in his stayers hurdle a very sad end in the fox hunters many years later,as for frankels last day at ascot by a million miles the most amazing days racing I’ve ever witnessed.achievement wise yes I would have kauto on top but at his best sprinter sacre was unbeatable
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Peoples Chmpn,Red Rum.Dancing Brave is my own favourite.
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He was my favourite flat horse penzance for 26 years
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I was gutted when he got beat in America.
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Probably the only time I’ve took any notice of horse racing in America it’s not for me
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Jimnast - I got within a few foot of Sprinter Sacre when he came over to run in Punchestown. I know this will sound ridiculous to some, but I just knew I was in the presence of a special horse. There will be many on here who will understand a horses confirmation better than myself, but I was in awe of him and the way he carried himself. Like Frankel in Ascot it was a no bet race for me, but just a privilege to be there.
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You got closer than any horses did then monarch
 I actually never backed frankel in his entire career but just loved everything about the 3 seasons we had him the whole story |
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I laid Frankel in the Greenham. A stupid move, but a valuable lesson, and one that allowed me to just bask in his glory from there on.
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I backed dream ahead against him in the dewhurst couldn’t believe he wasn’t favourite
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The Frankel career acca paid a fraction under 70/1 at SP , wonder if anyone played that.
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And Dream Ahead was a dual G1 winner beforehand. And won a few more as a 3yo. Yet still some would crab about Frankel's form.
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theres only really 2 peoples champion in the last 50 years where everyone knew red rum and dessie, and red rum would be miles ahead
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Depends on your age
70's has to be Red Rum Ultimate peoples horse |
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Dessie for me elis, although I agree it would be between the pair of them in a public vote.
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theres one other that might beat them all and thats a certain lester piggot, those 3 miles ahead in racing
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Good morning elisjohn
Not sure lester is that far ahead of frankie |
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I'd have to say Red Rum or Lester Piggott for people's champion.
If you ask someone a quiz question who knows zero about horse racing who the Epsom Derby in 2000 they'd probably say Red Rum. If you ask someone a quiz question who knows zero about horse racing who rode the Grand National winner in 2000 they'd probably say Lester. As household names that pair are impossible to match. |
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 But accurate |