1962 Champion Hurdle Challenge Cup

Good to view aberdonia

Lovely stuff. Also watched the 1965. Don't think I had seen any of them before. I think the golden era started with Persian War.

There’s some lovely old footage of several National Hunt Chases from the 1930s on British Pathe.

Persian War, Bula, Comedy of Errors, Lanzarote, Sea Pigeon, Night Nurse etc  The golden age of Hurdlers.

... And that's not counting the ones that didn't win it. Birds Nest, Tree Tangle, Dramatist, Ekbalko spring to mind.

Not to forget Golden Cygnet. He might have been the best of the lot. Pollardstown who was a favourite of mine, was pretty good, albeit a bit one-paced, and prone to a mistake. He beat Celtic Ryde and Badsworth Boy in a very good Triumph and was second in a Champion Hurdle. Monksfield was also very tough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydPhA3TCSHs

the mighty Sea Pigeon getting his revenge on Monksfield in 1980

I was at Ayr that sad and tragic day when Golden Cygnet fell and was killed in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. Like DD states, he had the potential to be the best of them all. Very very sad.

Sea Pigeon must be one of the greatest horses on both Flat and Jumps. What a true giant of the Turf he was. Can't think of any other horse that even comes close to Sea Pigeon over both codes.

Mar 10, 2025 -- 11:05PM, themightymac wrote:

I was at Ayr that sad and tragic day when Golden Cygnet fell and was killed in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. Like DD states, he had the potential to be the best of them all. Very very sad.

I was at Ayr that day too Mac. I still shudder when I think about it.

Yes tommy, a very sad and tragic day. Happened at the last hurdle too, right in front of the stands. Sea Pigeon won, Night Nurse second and I think Beacon Light third. Golden Cygnet looked the sure winner. Seems like yesterday.

Mac. On way out to golf will answer later.

Mar 10, 2025 -- 10:36PM, themightymac wrote:

Persian War, Bula, Comedy of Errors, Lanzarote, Sea Pigeon, Night Nurse etc

Sorry. Don't know what went wrong there. What I said was that I don't believe the hurdlers today are anywhere near the standard of back then. I remember Sea Pigeon winning a handicap at Ayr carrying 12.7 ridden by D.Goulding and trained by G.W.Richards. I still maintain Peter Easterby improved him by a stone when he got him. A wonderful trainer. By the way I don't think Golden Cygnet died on the course that day but later in a Vetinary College possibly Glasgow days later. Still tragic though.

Tommy one of Sea Pigeons greatest runs in defeat was on the Flat @ Ayr in the Doonside CUp .Carrying around 10-0 He gave (approx) a staggering 27lb from memory to the great stayer Le Moss (who subsequently won The St Leger) and was beaten a neck.Le Moss went on to win the next 2 Ascot Gold Cups, beating in the latter subsequent dual Gold Cup winner and Arc placed Ardross.    A sensational racehorse who would have probably won more C.Hurdles but for the uphill loop past the stands that placed a greater emphasis on stamina in his earlier C.Hurdle defeats.

Unfortunately, a lot of people appear to think hurdling started with Istabraq. It's the same chasing with Kauto Star.

You can't be comparing horses who wouldn't know what a handicap was. Their longevity has been protected by beating up inferiors off level weights. Had Arkle just done that he would never have been beaten. Thank goodness he didn't.

People crowing on about Constitution Hill when he has never beaten a real top notcher in his life, and that life before today was just 10 races. I think Night Nurse had one unbeaten season of 8 races. Even the top hurdlers ran in handicaps. Persian War won a Schweppes and Bula won a very competitive Sandown handicap hurdle during his unbeaten sequence. The ground wasn't a massive issue in those days. It was a totally different game.

Thanks tommy. I think Jock Whitney originally owned the great Sea Pigeon with Jeremy Tree training. Think he ran in the Derby but not sure.

Very true Geoff and Drum.

geoff m. I was aware of Sea Pigeon giving weight to Le Moss. I could be wrong, but I think it brought the comment from MH Easterby re Henry Cecil " I'm glad that buccer doesn't train jumpers ". Or words to that effect

Mac.Correct re Jock Whitney/Tree/Derby.

Drum.Agree with all your comments.