On This Day In (Racing) History

July 31

On this day in 2003, David Elsworth's Persian Punch got the better of Jardines Lookout to claim his second Goodwood Cup in thrilling style.
 
August 1

On this day in 1990, Distant Relative landed the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood under a fine ride from Willie Carson.
 
Aug 2

On this day in 2000, Giant's Causeway defeated Dansili by three-quarters of a length in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood
 
Richard Hughes riding a winner at Goodwood 25 years to the day after his first- on Viking Melody at Roscommon.
 
Aug 2
02/08/1980
Anthony Robinson, owner-sometime rider of Tied Cottage died aged 43 due to cancer relapse. My first memory of him is riding TC to victory in Leopardstown hcap hurdle Nov '75 at 33/1 defeating odds on fav Bannow Rambler
He memorably rode Tc to victory in 79 Irish Grand National as Tommy Carberry was injured.
Joan Moore, wife of trainer Dan, on hearing that he intended riding TC himself said "Goodness Tony, You will kill yourself" to which AR replied "I am dying in any case so where is the risk?"
Tied Cottage won 1980 Gold Cup, was disqualified for thiobromine traces in blood.
Tony presented Gold Cup to Arthur Barrow, owner/trainer of Master Smudge;seemingly they had a great chat together but shortly after both Dan Moore and Tony were dead.
Tied Cottage ran at Cheltenham every year from 1975( ridden by owner in 3 mile hurdle) to 1983 bar 1978 when GC was postponed and he fell at Bechers 1st round in Aintree Grand National. One of the greats.

02/08/1988
Roberto died age 19.
The Epsom Derby winner before New Approach to sire the winner of the first 2yo race in Ireland with his first runner, Snookera in 1977.
 
August 4

On this day in 1992, John Reid rode five winners - four at Brighton's afternoon meeting and another at Kempton's evening fixture.

In 1965 Future Champion jockey Willie Carson lost his apprentice claim when he won on Regal Bell.

1997 Danetime won the Stewards Cup as a 3yo, the only such winner we've had in the last thirty years.
 
August 4 1979
Henry Cecil has a treble with Connaught Bridge (Nassau Stakes), Suavity and Tahitian King at Goodwood. This made it seven for the meeting following The Solent (Goodwood Stakes), Kris (Sussex Stakes), Marathon Gold (Lanson Champagne Stakes) and Le Moss (Goodwood Cup) earlier in the week. A treble and two doubles for the maestro and his jockey Mercer.
 
August 5

05/08/2006
One of the great races of this century was run on this day.
Ouija Board just defeated Alexander Goldrun in the Nassau Stks, Frankie's superb ride making the difference imo. Nannina finished third (for the record)
 
Aug 5

5th August 1986 Princess Anne gains her first success from 13 rides when taking Gulfland to a 5-length victory at Redcar.
 
August 6

06/08/1768
On this day Gimcrack was beaten at York where he never won.He won 26 of 36 races.
That he should be commemorated with a race at York is surely another example of Yorkshire humour!

06/08/1990
Paul Carberry rode his first winner on Petronelli for J S Bolger at Leopardstown, having won point to points in 1989 and ridden in Aintree Foxhunters Chase.
 
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August 7

On this day in 1999, Diktat gained the first of his two career Group One victories in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
 
August 8

On this day in 1992, Lester Piggott partnered July Cup winner Mr Brooks to victory at Baden-Baden in Germany.
 
August 11 1973

Lester Piggott makes a rare visit to Redcar to steer hot favourite Royal Prerogative home for Denys Smith in the William Hill Gold Cup and lands a double by riding Buffins to win for Harry Wragg .

Another sad reminder of the appalling decline of Redcar only the Zetland Gold Cup remains - no Andy Capp Handicap , no William Hill Gold Cup and no Gold Tankard - poor old Major Petch must be revolving in his grave so often he will be halfway to Australia by now .

The winner of the Gold Cup took home £9,085 worth over £90,000 today according to the bank of England's inflation calculator.
 
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August 11
11/08/2002
Spartacus wins Phoenix Stakes at 16/1 to give Colm O Donoghue his first Group 1 winner 5 years after his first winning ride.

Re Redcar Ardross, in Barry Hills' book he referred to either Zetland or William Hill Gold Cup as being one of only four or five Autumn Handicaps that had an Ante Post book and early entries/weights in the 1960s. Has Redcar lost the big 2yo sales race also ?
 
August 12

On this day in 1989 The Queen's first runner in the United States for 35 years, Unknown Quantity, won the Grade One Arlington Handicap.
 
edgt, Hills must have been referring to the William Hill Gold Cup because Frankincense won it (must have been as a 3yo). I don't know when it was discontinued. It was still there at the end of the '70s. But I always thought it was July/August. The Zetland was always late May I thought and still is I think.
Poor old Redcar. Used to be my local track for a good few years.
 
It was ten years ago today Kieran Kelly died in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital, four days after receiving critical injuries in a fall at Kilbeggan.
 
Aug 13

13th August 1985 Derby winning jockey Eddie Hide rode his last winner in England; Hi-Tech Leader.

On this day in 1988, the brilliant French filly Miesque won the Prix de Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

On this day in 2010, a horse called Frankel won on his debut in a Newmarket maiden.
 
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August 13

13/08/1982
Pas De Seul won Hungerford Stakes at Newbury, David o Briens first winner in England.

13/08/1988
Nashwan wins 7 furlong maiden at Newbury. A sign of things to come.
Totem wins Desmond Stakes for David o Brien in what was his last season training. ( I think)
 
August 14

14th August 1982 Lester Piggott rode his 4,000th domestic winner when Ardross won the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury.
 
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