Sprinter Sacre

A

Ardross

Senior Jockey
Joined
Aug 8, 2007
Messages
5,489
As we say farewell to the legend that was Sprinter what was your favourite performance of his ? The Shloer, The Champion Chases , thrashing Cue Card over 2m 4f at Aintree and this year's Sandown romp must rank highly but for me it is probably the 2012 Game Spirit when he broke the track record as a novice on the bridle - jaw dropping .

Loved reading a report of what Nicky said in the sporting life site today " if he had been smashed by Douvan people would have said we should have retired him anyway but we weren't thinking like that he was going to beat Douvan " and he looked in awesome nick today . Sadly we will never know .
 
the champion chase-melling double was him at the very peak of his powers. destroyed very good animals in sizing europe and cue card.

i was there when he won the arkle and he was imperious. would have won the queen mum as a novice if they'd have wanted to.
 
The QMCC this year was my favourite performance, but his best would probably the 25(?) length beating he gave Sizing Europe at Cheltenham in 2013.

Incredible horse.
 
It doesn't get as many mentions but I really enjoyed his Tingle Creek, there was hype building up to it since Sanctuaire's romp in the celebration chase but even though the Nicholl's horse went off like a train SS just cruised by him like a rolls Royce, just beautiful to watch.
There was a fantastic picture of him in the centre spread of the Racing Post the day after the race of him in the winners enclosure with the steam rising off him.

What a super horse.
 
Agreed, I was there that day. Took this pic in the parade ring.

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0054.jpg
    DSC_0054.jpg
    65.7 KB · Views: 90
It's that tingle creek for me as well - there was so much gob from Nicholls beforehand that it just made the win even sweeter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
QM this year for me - had backed him after his win at Cheltenham in the autumn, but by the day had come to the conclusion that he wouldn't win. One of those days when it was just great to be there going mental as he came up the hill


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The Wayward Lad when he defeated Peddlers Cross remains my favourite along with the QMCC 2016, The build up, the debates on forums and the downright belief he was the best I'd seen since "Himself" gave me great pleasure when he won the Wayward Lad in a common canter. The QMCC comeback was right up there with it


Until his heart problem set in everything else was really what we became to expect. I can't remember doubting him once or even considering him being beaten.


I must confess when he came back after a dreadful season and won the Shloer Chase I was somewhat surprised. After he did I always thought he would win the old crown back in the QMCC.


I am disappointed he finishes his career on such low rating after beating Un De Sceaux 15 lengths. I thought he'd have been nearer a 185 with TF but que sera

To me he was never beaten over fences by another horse, only by an ailment and I am in many ways happy he's retired.

It would have been great to see him win another QMCC but at his age taking on Douvan was not to be recommended. Don't think I could handle if Sprinter had been in his prime arguments.


What would have been awful to watch is him doing a Kauto Star and trying to beat father time.

Happy retirement old pal:)
 
The 2016 QMCC will live longest in my memory I suspect. Brilliant to see him regain his crown and silence the doubters. His best performance must have been his imperious dismissal of Sizing Europe in the 2013 running.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
2016 QM for me as well

I love NH racing and punt seriously, but this was a race where losing (UDS) meant nothing. It was fabulous watching him sweep around the home turn and the reception as he came up the hill, back along the horse walk and into the winners enclosure will never be forgotten.

It’s not sad he’s been retired - save sadness for Simonsig and the other old boys who don’t make it home. He had a magnificent career, put in any number of top top class performances and hopefully will have a long and happy retirement
 
That wonderful time almost stood still moment when he ranged up to and swept past UDS will never be forgotten . It was an extraordinary feeling almost of disbelief after all the dismissive commentary in respect of his chance and euphoria coupled with a desperate desire to see him get up the hill . The crowd went absolutely mad and at the end of the race around me in the stand were people jumping up and down hugging each other , wiping eyes and a shell shocked few who had evidently backed UDS heavily believing the adage that they never come back .
 
Last edited:
Kauto did a rather good job of beating Father Time in the Betfair and King George and Nicholls knows he should never have run him after that schooling fall .
 
Last edited:
For all the romance he was never the same horse after the injury. Pulling double over Sizing Europe in his first Queen Mother win showed him to be one of the greatest ever.
 
I have watched some of his wins again today just for old time's sake. His first QMCC win was just sublime, and Sizing Europe was no slouch over fences over 2 miles at that time. Also had a look back at his Game Spirit win when breaking the course record, just phenomenal.

One of the all-time greats and I'm delighted he bows out now, as the reigning champion - that is what he deserves without hesitation.
 
Kauto Star was more versatile than Sprinter, winning at the top level over distances from 2m to 3m2f, but Sprinter was more flamboyant and better over his best trip than Kauto. It's a bit like the comparison between Sea The Stars and Frankel.
 
Great horse, the best i have seen in the nh code.

I dont have a favorite nce

there are 3 that stand out
arkle win , posting an amazing performance for a novice
first champion chase, his best performance in terms of form
and his Aintree beating of cue card and flamenstar on a distance longer than his best.



amazing horse , at his best with frankel the horse more unbeatable i have seen.
true champion
 
With you all the way there Sunybay, that Aintree win was up with Frankel's international win at York as the best NH and Flat performances in recent years.
Like Perpetual the Cheltenham roar last march for him said it all, it was worth more than mere money.
At least we got to enjoy last season with him when it looked unlikely after his problems.
 
some great 2 mile chasers recently but he was something else, sad to see him retired so early but many thought Nicky might do it after the horrible 4 runs in 2015 so he did well to bring him back last season and prove the doubters wrong.
 
Back
Top