On This Day In (Racing) History

Dec 14

On this day in 1996, Large Action regained his crown in the Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham for trainer Oliver Sherwood and jockey Jamie Osborne.


This day 1989 Martin Pipe broke his own record as the first trainer to have one hundred wins before Christmas as King's Rank won at Haydock with Scu onboard.
 
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Dec 15

On this day in 1990, Nicky Henderson's Remittance Man continued his winning run with victory in the Rovacabin Noel Novices' Chase at Ascot.
 
Dec 16

On this day in 1989, Jenny Pitman's Royal Athlete won the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. Six years later he was a 40-1 Grand National winner.
 
Dec 17

On this day in 1994, David Nicholson's Hebridean foiled Irish raider Dorans Pride to take the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.
 
Dec 18

On 18th December 1971 Stan Mellor became the first NH jockey to ride 1,000 winners when Ouzo won at Nottingham.


On this day in 2002 the 7-race card at Newbury was monopolised by Nicky Henderson and Mick Fitzgerald with 5 winners.

One year ago 18th December 2012 Folkestone Racecourse closed
 
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Dec 21

On this day in 1988, jockey Mark Dwyer landed his first four-timer with a 122-1 accumulator at Edinburgh (now Musselburgh).
 
Dec 24

On this day in 1993, Clive Britain's superb filly User Friendly left his Newmarket stables to be trained in the USA by Rodney Rash.
 
Dec 26

On this day in.1987 25/1 Francois Doumen-trained winner Nupsala was 1st French chaser to win in UK for 25yrs.

This day in 2002 saw 3-time Gold Cup winner Best Mate win the King George with A P McCoy in the saddle having finished 2nd a year earlier.
 
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Dec 26
26/12/1975
Captain Christy winning KGVI by 30L from Bula is my first memory of this great race.
From there on I poured through old Stud and Stables and Horse And Hounds of my fathers that I had no doubt torn to pieces a few short years previously to the extent that he stopped his subscription to both!
From there Dec 26 became my favourite and most eagerly anticipated days racing of the year.

Dec 26 1993
Mubadir ridden by Paul Carberry fell at the last in Leopardstown Grade 1 Novice chase when in front. A dejected PC walked in with saddle accompanied by father Tommy and Noel Meade walking behind. Paul, explaining how he felt he needed a big jump to win and so went for it, seeked Tommy's approval for his bold ride.
Tommy put his hand on Paul's shoulder and replied "Son, when you end up on the floor you have done the wrong f*****g thing !"
I always tell that story when things do not go to plan.

Dec 26 2009
Sizing Europe won feature Grade 1 Novice Chase at Leopardstown after Captain Cee Bee fell at the last when race looked at his mercy.
It is the race that made SE as a chaser and broke CCB as a chaser as he was a nervous jumper ever after. A pity.
 
Dec 27

27th December 1947 Fred Winter rode his first NH winner, Carton, at Kempton.

27th December 1982 trainer Michael Dickinson sent out 21 runners (from a stable of 54) and won 12 races.
 
Dec 27
27 /12/1976
Pendil made a comeback after nearly 2 years; started 10/1 outsider of 3 and duly won.

27/12/1977
Night Nurse took a crashing fall at the last hurdle in Christmas Hurdle at Kempton ending jockey Paddy Broderick's career thus ending one of the most unique horse/rider partnerships of my time race watching. It was the same partnership that got me buzzing about NH racing in oct 1975.
 
Dec 28

On this day in 1999, Rince Ri caused a minor surprise when beating Florida Pearl by a neck in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown.

28th December 1970 Pat Taaffe retired
 
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Dec 31

31/12/1991
Raymond Guest, the last owner to win Epsom Derby/ Aintree Grand National double died on this day.

What will we do tomorrow DG ?
Many thanks to you for making the year so enjoyable with this thread.
 
Jan 1

On this day in 1994, Large Action gave notice that he was more than just a smart novice when winning the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.

Moscow Flyer 20 years old today
 
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Jan 3

On the 3rd January 2005 Sue Smith's Mister McGoldrick was the 11-length winner of the rescheduled Grade2 Castleford Chase at Wetherby.
 
Jan 7

07/01/1993
Big Ben Dun, trained by Permit Holder John F O Neill made it 13th time lucky when winning a handicap chase at Punchestown.
While he was unplaced in his previous 12 starts he did not go unbacked, his price tumbling from 100/1 to 3/1 fav costing bookies an estimated IR£150,000.
He was sold on and won a further 6 chases in England.
 
Jan 12

Two greats of the racing world were born on this day. Fred Archer (1857) and Sir Henry Cecil (1943) who incidentally will have a race named after him at this year's Ebor Festival.
 
Jan 12

On this day in 1991 The Illiad land a huge gamble in The Ladbroke at Leopardstown after being backed from 33-1 into 7-1.
 
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