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Whats the best horse youve seen race live

Desijo

Apprentice
Joined
Apr 26, 2024
Messages
321
Location
England
I had the privilege to see Tingle Creek race at Stratford in the 1970s
I think it was 1977, but could be wrong, senior moments and all that
His jumping was breathtaking and although he was narrowly beaten carrying 12 st 7 lbs the memory has stuck with me for life.
All replies appreciated.
 
If you'd asked me in 1984, I'd have said El Gran Senor who - after sleeping on an all-weather gallop (I kid you not) the night before - I saw quicken twice and be back on the bridle on the line to win the 2,000 Guineas.

But then I saw Dancing Brave win the Craven in a bog and later come from Ewell to be the unluckiest Derby loser ever.

But Frankel tops the lot - QEII, Lockinge, Champion Stakes.
 
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Flat : Frankel , though I saw Sea The Stars on debut, the only time he was beaten.
Bumper : Carricero. Jan 1985 Leopardstown 4 yo bumper winner that ran away from his rivals on his way to 4 Bumper wins. Alas no Festival Bumper in those days
Hurdler: Istabraq though I saw a lot more of Hurricane Fly.
Chaser: Desert Orchid , though I saw Kauto Star the day he was pulled up.
Debutant, any code : City Of Troy at The Curragh. He just took off and did not stop , nearly taking on the barrier at track end.
 
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Flat - Nashwan winning the King George. (Not his best performance.)

NH - probably Baracouda at Newbury but I also saw Rooster Booster defy top weight in the Greatwood en route to the Champion Hurdle.
 
Over Jumps it would be Night Nurse beating Birds Nest in the 1978 Yorkshire Hurdle (I also saw Sea Pigeon get beat under an ill-judged ride in an Amateur Riders' race on the Flat at Beverley):
 
My race going experience is limited to Scottish racecourses in the last 30 years so I'd go:

Flat: Coastal Bluff
Jumps Alderbrook/Monets Garden
 
Galileo, the Derby, 2001. My first outing to the event, aged 16 I was. I shouted 'well done Mick' as he came back, to show some appreciation.

I saw City Of Troy last year at Sandown, where I had a lovely day out, but Galileo was a bit special. Being an ex Londoner now living up North, I don't get to see the Group 1 horses as much as I'd like - The nearest I get to seeing a thoroughbred is at the Northumberland Plate. 🤣

This year's meeting coincides with my 40th birthday. An evening at Gosforth Park on the Friday followed by a night out at the Bigg Market then.
 
I saw Monksfield win the Huzzar Vodka Handicap Hurdle at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting. I loved that horse. Hurricane Flyer has probably come closest since to taking over as my all time favourite, and I saw plenty of him.

Best Mate made a big impression on me when he came to Leopardstown the first time. Denman overpowering Kauto Star in the Gold Cup was awesome. Kauto winning his fifth King George was special too (I was able to go because it was postponed a few weeks to mid-January). Looks Like Trouble charging round Down Royal was spectacular. Galopin Des Champs had the Leopardstown crowd gasping on his chase debut.

On the flat, Sea The Stars and Frankel top the list. St Jovite’s Irish Derby performance was pretty special too.
 
The first race meeting that I ever attended as a 13 year old kid was Red Rum's historic third Grand national win in 1977 , the race prior to that was the Templegate Aintree Hurdle which saw two of the greatest hurdlers - Night Nurse & Monksfield Dead Heat - not only was it the best that I have even been to, but must surely rank as one of the most significant in UK racing history. Will never see the like of it again.
 
Flat: nothing of note apart from Silver Patriarch in his box at Arundel.

Jumps: Barnbrook Again winning at the April meeting at Cheltenham in 1990 a month after winning the Champion Chase. Bradbury Star finishing second at 50/1 in a Kempton novice hurdle when trained by WT Kemp, and Panto Prince winning a match race on the same day.
 
The first race meeting that I ever attended as a 13 year old kid was Red Rum's historic third Grand national win in 1977 , the race prior to that was the Templegate Aintree Hurdle which saw two of the greatest hurdlers - Night Nurse & Monksfield Dead Heat - not only was it the best that I have even been to, but must surely rank as one of the most significant in UK racing history. Will never see the like of it again.
For a first race meeting to attend you were spoiled; every day since must seem drab .
 
Some of you guys are indeed spoiled by seeing those greats!

Like Simmo, and actually living not that far from him, racing in central Scotland is usually my limits.

I will therefore be forever grateful for this forum since without it I’d probably never have made it down to Newbury or Cheltenham for forum meet-ups and, to be entirely honest, I value much more having met the likes of SteveM, BrianH, Krizon, jinnyj, Pebbles, Harry, An Capall, Maruco et al (with apologies to those whose names aren’t coming to me immediately) and, very recently, edgt.

If I wasn’t on this forum I probably would never have bothered my arse to leave the house.
 
The first race meeting that I ever attended as a 13 year old kid was Red Rum's historic third Grand national win in 1977 , the race prior to that was the Templegate Aintree Hurdle which saw two of the greatest hurdlers - Night Nurse & Monksfield Dead Heat - not only was it the best that I have even been to, but must surely rank as one of the most significant in UK racing history. Will never see the like of it again.
The clashes between Night Nurse, monksfield and sea pigeon were epic clashes and unfortunately never to be repeated.
 
Flat - Montjeu (1999 Arc). Beat a very good horse from a difficult position two out. The King George win was pretty impressive too but I wasn't present then.

Jumps - Badsworth Boy (1983 Champion Chase). The only winner by a distance and despite making a horlicks of the second last.
 
For jumps, and this still makes the hairs on my neck stand, watching Beef or Salmon catching The Listener at Leopardstown in 2007, if ever the crowd lifted a horse home that was the day.
On the flat, Vinnie Roe, saw him win a few times and he was pure class and you could tell he knew it by the way he walked round the paddock.
 
I have seen many greats.....these are just a very few off the top of my head.....looking back I realise how incredibly privileged I have been:
Sea Pigeon Champion Hurdle
Dawn Run Gold Cup
Desert Orchid King George
Sprinter Sacre Champion Chase
Frankel Champion Stakes
Pebbles Champion Stakes
Zenyatta BC Classic
 
Montjeu - Arc and KG.
Generous - Derby and KG, not as good as Montjeu but his Derby was my first big antepost pash and he won so thrillingly, hence my forum name.

Jumps - Desert Orchid KGs; Kauto Star many times at Cheltenham and Kempton; Sprinter Sacre at Cheltenham - his comeback especially was emotional

Bonus: I lived in Southport as a child and used to see Red Rum training on the beach
 
Breeders Cup Turf 2003, Santa Anita late evening sunshine. High Chapperal dead heats with Johar, Falbrav a head back in third.

I turn to the late and much lamented Lord Hartigan. "It doesn't get any better than this, Brian. "
 


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