On This Day In (Racing) History

edgt said:
1964 seems to be an aberration Art.
The festival ran from Thurs to Sat.
Other years had the Gold Cup run Mid March to as late as 21 March in 1968,possibly due to Foot and Mouth restrictions. Not counting for yrs postponed due to frost and/or snow eg 1978 the latest.
A Churchtown local told me last week that GC day 1949 or 1950 was postponed owing to the number of double and trebles riding onto Cottage Rake from other MVOB winners Hattons Grace ( and possibly Castledermot) that would have pauperised the bookies!
As an aside; in 1948 Cottage Rake travelled by train and boat and was walked from Chel Spa railway station to racecourse, started 10/1 and won.
In 1949 MVOB flew in his 3 challengers! (CR got upset on board and was nearly shot!)
Click to expand...

Thanks Eddy. There's a certain airline executive who would like the right to shoot his more obstreperous passengers too, I reckon.
 
March 8

On this day in 1980, John Francome captured the William Hill Imperial Cup on Prayukta for Fred Winter.
 
March 9

On this day in 1950, the great chaser Cottage Rake completed a hat-trick of wins in the Cheltenham Gold Cup for Vincent O'Brien.
 
March 10

On this day in 1992 Royal Gait, ridden by Graham McCourt and trained by James Fanshawe, won the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.
 
March 11

On this day in 1965, Arkle put up a breathtaking display to land his second successive win in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

On a non racing theme

Japanese tsunami two years ago today, where has the time gone ?
 
March 12

On this day in 2002, Cheltenham bade a sad farewell to three-time Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq as he pulled up in the Festival feature.
 
March 15

This day in 1990 saw one of the greatest shocks in Cheltenham Festival history as 100-1 shot Norton's Coin landed the Gold Cup.
 
March 16

On this day in 1995, Master Oats completed an unforgettable double for Kim Bailey and Norman Williamson when taking the Cheltenham Gold Cup following Alderbrook's victory in the Champion Hurdle
 
March 16 1993
On this day Montelado became the first ( and for now the last) horse to win consecutive Cheltenham festival races winning the Supreme Novice Hurdle having won the Bumper in 1992 when it was the last festival race.
On this day in 2000 Looks Like Trouble won Gold Cup ridden by R Johnson after Stormin Norman Williamson was jocked off for pulling up LLT at Kempton in King George Chase.
On this day in 1989 Desert Orchid came good in Cheltenham Gold Cup ridden by S Sherwood, the only jockey to win on him going left handed. Some horse. Some jockey.
 
Mar 17. On this day....
1966 Arkle wins third Chel Gold Cup at 1/10.
1971 Bula wins first Champion Hurdle depriving Persian war of a fourth win.
1976 Night Nurse defeats Birds Nest in Champion Hurdle; their jockeys P Broderick and A Turnell having contrasting riding styles to say the least!
1977 Four Irish wins on Gold Cup day.
Meladon in Triumph hurdle , Davy Lad in Gold Cup, Rusty Tears in Hunters Chase and Kilcoleman in County Hurdle.
1981 Sea Pigeon retains Champion Hurdle under J Francome.
Derring Rose destroys field in Stayers Hurdle.
1983 Ml Dickinson 1,2,3,4,5 in Gold Cup. Say no more !
1987 See You Then wins third Champion Hurdle from US challenger Flatterer.
Galmoy the only Irish winner in stayers Hurdle.
1988 Charter Party wins Gold Cup for The Duke and R Dunwoody.
1993 Paul Carberry wins Festival Bumper on Rhythm Section , his first festival ride, emulating his father Tommy 30 years earlier on Tripacer. His sister Nina followed suit on Dabiroun in 2005. What a family!
 
Loved the story from Barry Geraghty about feeling old last night when flying back to Ireland the air hostess asked him "Are you in racing?" and when he replied "yes" she replied "You're Tommy Carberry aren't you?"
 
March 18

On this day in 1993 Jodami took the Cheltenham Gold Cup for trainer Peter Beaumont.

I actually held the CGC that day, only time I ever did and ever will.
 
Mar 18 1981
Willie Wumpkins won the Coral Golden Hurdle final for the third consecutive time aged 13 ridden by Jim Wilson, who won the Gold Cup the following day.
Drumgora springs a 25/1 surprise when defeating fav Anaglogs Daughter in 2 mile chase. Arthur Moore's first Festival winner.
Lesley Ann wins RSA chase. Did any mare win it since?
18/03/1998
Top Cees wins Coral Cup ridden by Barry Fenton.
Trainer Lynda Ramsden refuses to speak to Tommo after race.
Jockey sheds light on horse when telling how he loves to be covered up and go through gaps. He was not covered up in "That Newmarket Race "
Ruby Walsh wins first (of many) Cheltenham Festival races on Alexander Banquet in Bumper.
18/03/1999
See More Business wins a thrilling Gold Cup from Festival perrenial Go Ballistic,one of the few horses to race at 9 Chel festivals.
Space Trucker a handicap snip in Grand Annual comes good for Jessie Harrington and Shay Barry.
 
March 19

On this day in 1981, Malton trainer Peter Easterby saddled the Jim Wilson-ridden Little Owl to beat stablemate Night Nurse in the Gold Cup.
 
On this day in 1998 there was a huge row between Martin Pipe and Paul Nicholls when A.P.McCoy pulled up Cyborgo (lame) before the 7th in The Gold Cup and carried out the Nicholls trained See More Business
 
March 20

On this day in 1975 Jane McDonald became the first woman jockey to compete professionally against men in an apprentice handicap at Doncaster
 
March 20

1888 Donovan wins Brocklesby Stakes at Lincoln. Ends his 2yo career 11 wins from 13 starts. As a 3yo wins Derby and St Leger. Dawn Approach fans take heart!

1948 Sheilas Cottage wins Aintree Grand National. Bred locally in Broadford Co. Limerick by Patsy Boyce she won local P2Ps in Ballyheen before being sold to England.
Ridden by Arthur Thompson she bit the top off one of his fingers 2 days after the race.
She was the third consecutive GN winner sired by Cottage after Lovely Cottage 46 and Caughoo 47.

1968
Persian War wins first of 3 Champion hurdles.

1993
Lord Oaksey performs bungee jump live on C4 at Uttoxeter races on the day talking horse Mister Ed wins Midlands National at 25/1. ( Thanks to Tommo for that one!)
 
March 21

On this day in 1964 Fulke Walwyn’s Team Spirit produced a late flourish to land the Grand National, catching Purple Silk close home.
 
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