He was the Ali to big bad George Foreman, in the famous Rumble in the Jungle. He went in with people fearing for his very well being. Some gave him a rough outside chance, but most thought him a warrior of another time. All desperately wanted to see him put up a fight, nobody wanted to see the great champion bow out with a whimper. There even those who just wanted to see him escape the event in one piece. Nobody, but nobody, wanted to see him savaged in combat. He was up against the destroyer, a monster who in the recent past, had smashed his way to the top of his game. He was there that fateful day, to bury the old bastard, once and for all. He had beaten him in the past, and now it was time to finally finish him off. Thankfully, great athletes are not always champions. Some can look world beaters, almost invincible, but more often than not, they slowly succumb to what, beside a true champion, can only be called, a shallow replica of the real thing. The vanquished may in time indeed become a champion in his own right, but until he's paid his dues, me must pay homage to the titans. A handful of weeks away from his twelfth birthday, Kauto Star defied the sands of Father Time, and in the process, taught the upstart that it takes more that just talent to make a champion, it takes a will of iron. As the champion and the young gun drew to the last fence, the latter was in with a shout. Kauto Star left the earth and left Long Run. They hit the ground with only their hearts to rely on, the one quality that only genuine champions can find in abundance. Has there been another like him in the modern era? No. Is he the best that's probably been? No. But have others been able to match his imperious deeds? No. 4 King George V1 Chases. 4 Betfair Chases. 2 Cheltenham Gold Cups. 2 Tingle Creek Chases. 2 Champion Chases. 1 Aon Chase. 1 Old Roan Chase. 1 Ascot Chase. Who better to make mention of this wonderful animal than Ruby Walsh. "He was enjoying himself out in front and we'd gone a decent enough gallop," said Walsh. "Down the back we started to get them off the bridle, one by one. I could see heads poking forward, then they'd disappear. At the last, he came up for me like the top horse he is. And on the run-in he stuck his head down and went for the line as if he knew it was special too."
Yesterday was certainly a very special day Cyc. Just a little bit more icing on the top of his embarrassingly large cake. When you compare his record to 'Champions' of the past it really makes you realise what an exceptional horse he is. Moreover, it has all been achieved in what is widely regarded as a vintage era for staying chasers. He was the best of a very good bunch. Really was absolutely fantastic.
I loved the way the crowd got into it when he looked as though he had a chance to fight them off. I hoped he'd go to the front and dictate the race, so when it happened I was over the moon. I think I must have held my breath the whole race Zen, so just as well ran a record.
I was at University and screaming my head off in my room, smashing the table, and all sorts. All my mates came in and thought I was nuts! Encouragingly they all appreciated the brilliance that they had seen.
I cried. A lot! Just before the off I posted on my Facebook Status: "Come on old man, show these whippersnappers how it's done" A wonderful day for racing!
I doubt if there were many true racing fans who didn't shed a tear at that Princess. That was very emotional.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. Is this not the finest racing picture you have ever seen. Absolutely fantastic, and it exemplifies everything that was wonderful about his performance at the weekend. I have put it as my desktop background and cannot think of anything else that could possibly look better. please log in to view this image
stunning. thanks for that, really made me smile. a rare angle (did i see people up ladders at the side?) and it does you're right, remind how he was nigh on all the race.
