I was thinking this only last night. Those heady days when we dreamt he’d run in the Cambridgeshire and maybe win it.
Kauto Star for me..I really loved that horse. To win a tingle creek and to win 5 king George's and two Cheltenham gold cups among his other grade 1 s was truly amazing! What a racehorse.. I remember Simon Holt saying in his commentary one boxing day year..'It's become tradition to follow the star' and it was. Family used to sit down on boxing day...switch on the box and watch the king George and invariably Kauto Star win the race. I didn't back him all 5 times sadly..but did on at least 3, maybe 4 occasions. It was poetry in motion seeing him jump those fences at speed round Kempton. I was at Cheltenham to watch him win both gold cups and when he became the first horse to regain the gold cup I had goosebumps and it almost brought tears to my eyes...that's the closest I have come to busting in to tears over a racehorse!
Despite winning a few races for us the biggest cheque we had was for coming runner up in the Silver Cambridgeshire
So many to choose from Kauto Star, Denman, Hurricane Fly, Douvan, Cue Card to name but a few but it has to be Sprinter Sacre for me if I had to nail my colours to the mast. Just a great presence about him, jet black, set off with he red n blue of the jockeys colours mostly by Barry Geraghty though think Nico De B rode him as well, not totally sure, but anyway just a once in a life time horse for me... Oh, and just because I loved him Zarkandar…
An honourable mention for Sire De Grugy. He won’t go down in history as one of the truly great CC winners, but I still get emotional thinking about his big Cheltenham win.
Horse of the decade has to be Sprinter Sacre, no ifs or buts! Honorable mentions although to Conygree, and a particular favourite of mine Unaccompanied. Trained by Dermot Weld - badly in my opinion - she was second to Zarkandar in the Triumph and appeared to be destined for high honours. Again, in my opinion, she was at her best hurdling, yet Weld seemed to be undecided what her future should be, and ran her on both flat and hurdles, almost in consecutive races it seemed (she was in my tracker, so I never missed a run) She did win on the flat, so it wasn't a complete flop, but she never reached her true potential. She now lives Kentucky, still owned by Moyglare. She had a foal by Distorted Humor (US spelling) due to race as a 2yo in 2018 and last I heard was in foal again to Elusive Quality. Merry Christmas
I initially thought Kauto and then realised that he did most of his winning in the previous decade - how time flies! Hurricane Fly just from Sprinter.
Sprinter Sacre for me. Loved Cue Card and Zarkander so have to give them a mention and had a real soft spot for Tidal Bay
Think it has to be Sprinter Sacre but, although his light shone all too briefly, Vautour needs a special mention. What a horse he was. 3 time Cheltenham winner and hadn’t stopped developing. Will never forget his round of jumping in The JLT. Taken from us too soon
Agree with your sentiment on Vautour. He could have been a superstar. Won 5 grade 1s but could have been many more.
Been given a couple to keep an eye on today Hugo n tax market risen 2.15 for the pipes, my mate rides out for the owners and shimba hills in the 3.35 fontwell. My mate rides this out says it’s ready to win.
Without hesitation - Sprinter Sacre I will never forget his one and only Tingle Creek triumph at Sandown. A cold crisp sunny day,Geraghty looking behind him to see how far he was in front - that was him at his absolute best. A real privilege to be there. The last great season of Kauto Star runs him close of course. In truth the last couple of NH seasons have been relatively disappointing - let’s hope a star emerges from the King George today!
