In National hunt Racing, 1967 was in some ways a ‘transitional year’ – both Arkle and Flyingbolt had effectively departed the scene, and there was bound to be a feeling of anti-climax in the aftermath of two great horses. Nevertheless the Jumps season would draw to a close with the most sensational and memorable Grand National in the race’s long and chequered history. In Flat Racing, the season could have been named ‘Australia Year,’ owing mainly to the phenomenal success of a rider from the Southern hemisphere. At Cheltenham, Peter Easterby’s Saucy Kit won the Champion Hurdle, and Bob Turnell’s Drinny’s Double won the first of back-to-back Champion Chases. In the Gold Cup, ultra-consistent Stalbridge Colonist tried his heart out, but just could not peg back Fred Rimell’s redoubtable stayer, Woodland Venture. Next, on to Aintree and, for one relatively unknown jockey, John Buckingham, what transpired would remain indelibly printed both in his mind and that of all racegoers to the end of their days; for another jockey, Josh Gifford, it would forever remain the heartache of “what might have been.” How appropriate that the Grand National’s first ever winner, Lottery, would dictate the nature of our best loved horse race- as Honey End gave vain chase to Foinavon’s solitary and fateful romp. In Flat Racing, Lester Piggott had decided to “go freelance” and sever his highly successful relationship with Noel Murless. Murless responded by signing crack Australian jockey, George ‘Cotton Fingers’ Moore who, apart from winning over a hundred Group One races in his native Australia, had also won Classics in both England and France, not to mention an Arc De Triomphe eight years earlier on Alec Head’s Saint Crespin. For the Murless-Moore partnership, the season started- and continued- in sensational fashion. The previous season’s Royal Lodge winner, Royal Palace, had his first outing in the 2000 Guineas and, in a desperate, driving finish, prevailed by a short head over French challenger, Taj Dewan. In the 1000 Guineas, they repeated the feat with Fleet, and went to Epsom with Royal Palace as favourite to double up on his Guineas success. In the Derby itself, although Lester Piggott came with a strong late run on Charles Engelhard’s Ribocco, George Moore had the race in safe keeping a long way from home. Ribocco would have his day, however, when he won the St Leger later that year. Noel Murless must surely have smiled at the irony that year, given that he bought a horse from Ireland called Busted- who was to act as lead horse for Royal Palace. By the end of the year, the late developing Crepello colt had won the Eclipse Stakes, Coronation Stakes, Prix Foy, and the King George at Ascot. Unbeaten throughout the season , he was certainly one of the greatest four year olds ever to grace the turf. Sadly, he injured himself and was unable to compete in the Arc De Triomphe, but he made his mark at stud by fathering other top late developing four year olds in Bustino and Mtoto. In the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, a ‘slightly below par’ Royal Palace suffered his only defeat that season when rematched with his 2000 Guineas adversary, Taj Dewan. In truth, neither of them had an answer to the power-packed finish of Gordon Richard’s horse, Reform, who stormed up the hill to win in real style- compensation for never having been entered in the 2000 Guineas, and for Richards who never won a Classic as a trainer. As for George Moore, he must have continually looked at the world with “rose tinted glasses,” having ridden Fleet, Royal Palace, and Busted, to all their wins. Indeed, it was a golden period for Australian jockeys.... Apart from Moore, Scobie Breasley, Ron Hutchinson, Bill Williamson, and Neville Sellwood were all riding big-race winners; likewise Aussie Bill Pyers won that year’s Arc De Triomphe on Topyo. As 1967 drew to a close, who would have believed that George Moore would terminate his ‘arrangement’ with Noel Murless and return to his native Australia? The story goes that his family was ‘threatened,’ but I believe the truth was even worse than that. Either way, he never rode in England again, and talented youngster, Sandy Barclay, would ride Royal Palace to his four year old successes- and other Murless' victories.
What wonderful memories Tam. It must have been one hell of a year for George, winning the 1000 Guineas and 2000 Guineas double. Throw in the Epsom Derby and the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, his car splashed with paint, house broken into and ransacked and then having his wife and child threatened with murder. I'd have left too. In his first visit to Europe when he stayed for two Summers, he won the Arc, the Eclipse at Sandown. He won the 2000 Guineas on Taboun, the Irish 1000 Guineas on Fiorentina, the French 1000 Guineas on Ginetta, the French Derby and Grand Prix de Paris on Charlottesville, and at Royal Ascot he won the Gold Cup on Sheshoon. He also won the St James's Palace Stakes, Ebor Handicap, Coronation Stakes and the Sussex Stakes.
Fascinating piece Tam.Although not even born then,the names you mention are familiar to me.I can remember watching the b/w clip of Foinavon avoiding the pile up at the 23rd fence under the commentary of the inimitable Michael O'Hehir.
Superb stuff Tam, and I, like yourself, was priveleged to witness these events. Edit: I just read part 1 which I hadn't seen before - another top read and another memory jogger. 1963 was a seminal year for me, inasmuch as it was the year I started going into betting shops! Honey End in the National and Fair Astronomer in the Caesarawich were two notable losers - some things never change
Great stuff Tamerlo. I was eight when all of this was happening and 1967 was the first year I had the attention span to really follow what was going on. It was hard to believe what was happening as the National came to a halt at the 23rd fence. I was lucky enough to get to know John Buckingham through a golf society - he is a lovely bloke and very funny. Of course Mill House may have won the Gold Cup had he not come to grief on the second circuit and he showed his well-being by winning the Whitbread a few weeks later. Another highlight of the jumps season was Hill House's win in the Schweppes. The horse and connections were disgracefully booed by the crowd after landing a good old-fashioned coup. In third that day was Beau Caprice, who made his racecourse debut aged 11, won the Gloucester Hurdle at Cheltenham aged 12 and was 13 when placed in the Scheppes. I did not know the story about George Moore's departure from Britain or that he was also known as Cotton Fingers. I wonder where that nickname came from. I suppose my earliest memories of the flat involve the genius of Piggott, who was a real one-off and I do not expect to see anyone come close to him in my lifetime.
Fulkes, so glad you mentioned Hill House- I had forgotten that was in 1967. His trainer was banned for doping the horse- which had been beaten in his prep. race (as favourite), and then proceeded to win the Schweppes by a street. He was later reinstated- probably due to "friends in high places," but his claim that the horse 'manufactured an excessive amount of his own cortisone' still makes me laugh today. Notwithstanding Ryan Price was undoubtedly a great trainer, but maybe Honey End suffering the Foinavon "debacle" was divine payback for his transgressions. I know how much Price targeted and loved winning the Schweppes- he also won it in 1963 and 1964 with Rosyth, and also in 1966 with Le Vermontois. He nearly made it five out of six in 1968, but second top weight, Major Rose, was just beaten by top weight Persian War in a great race- probably the best and classiest race of all the Schweppes/Tote Trophies. The two horses- and Fulke Walwyn's Sempervivum- jumped the last in line, but Persian War battled like a tiger on the rails to win a tremendous race.The fact that he carried top weight and yet only gave 5 lbs to Major Rose shows the quality of hurdlers around at that time. In 1964, Rosyth was likewise judged 'to have shown abnormal improvement from his previous race,' and both Price and Josh Gifford lost their licences - the former for quite a while. The Findon stables were shut and the horses moved for several months to other trainers. Eventually Price got his licence back, but he was certainly a controversial character.
Tam,67 has great memories for me as a 20 year old,I remember backing Honey End in the national, I thought RP was a genius at getting one ready. also, off topic, 67 was the first Cockney Cup Final and a 20 year old Linden Tree was playing,alas it was 2-1 to Spurs.
Lindentree, I don't remember much about that final. Did Bobby Tambling score for Chelsea? By the way, one of my best friends was born on the same day and year as your good self- and always bemoans the fact he only gets one present from his wife at Xmas. Never mind- you'll both get your old age pension this year; I don't get mine until December next year. We must talk more about football when we can- I 've millions of happy memories right from my early days playing with a tennis ball on the cobbles in Burnley, using the ends of the terraced back street as goals.
Fulkes, the name "cotton fingers" came from the feeling he got from the reins, as to how his horse was going. It was said that he had the best hands in the game.
We need an "old gits" thread of our own where us wrinklies can reminisce without boring the pants off the young pups! Incidentally, I collected MY pension yesterday (well theoretically anyway, as my employer is keeping me on for a short while!) I always enjoyed RP's antics, although frustrating if your selection got "done" by one of his hotpots! I especially remember his Out and About and the extreme front running tactics used, usually getting picked up before the line - until the day when it was meant to NOT be collared
Great post Tamerlo - For those of us who came to this great sport a little later this really helps bring the time before to life rather than just being names. I am aware that in twenty years time the sport will have many new fans for whom the name Frankel is a name and no matter how much they look at his record or watch the re runs it will never be the same as being witness to it as it happened. Your writing does give at little taste of these times long gone, thanks.
Hey Tam - so you are a Dingle! You kept that quiet - well until now anyway I'm also living a distance from my roots (Bolton) in sunny Essex! Do you remember a horse called Pigeon Toes in the early sixties ran up a sequence of about 8 second place finishes before finally managing to keep his nose in front! I seem to remember I was on a couple of the seconds, but managed to not be on his win!
Reebok, yes I remember Pigeon Toes- didn't he run in sprints? Most of all I just remember 'pigeons.' Every time I went outside as a kid, there were loads of them on the cobbles, and the neighbour used to try and catch them for his tea- using a cardboard box propped up with a stick tied to string. PS. What is a Dingle by the way?
Thanks for the info on George Moore, cyclonic. There is a biography on Ryan Price, Tam, and I keep meaning to get it. Should be a great read. I still think it is wrong to boo any horse whatever the circs.
Sorry Tam, I thought you'd know that - it's what rival north west footy fans call Burnley supporters! No malice intended, just friendly banter Do you remember Vakil-Ul-Mulk? He ran in the Derby, and carried my hopeful 2 bob each way at 1000-1 - needless to say he was 1000-1 for a reason
Reebok- amazing! I watched Burnley for over 20 years and I've never heard that one. It must be post 1970's. Vakil-Ul-Mulk?? The name's buried somewhere in the deep recesses of my light grey matter, but if that horse had won the Derby, what more can I say????
He was owned and trained by one John Meacock, a retired Indian Army officer I think, and all his horses had Turkish names, all had a string of "duck-eggs" in their for figures and most were sent to tilt at windmills, as in sending the said Vakil to take on the Derby blue-bloods. I'm pretty sure that Vakil was his best horse, and that eventually it did win a race once it was down in it's own class
Tam,we ,ll def. have a chat about old time footy,I often get a chance to be online Sat an Sun eves from about 6,ish,so if you have any questions don,t be shy to ask.
Great year Tam. I was only saying to someone the other day how good a horse Royal Palace was, and seeing as he beat Sir Ivor the next year I see no reason to believe he wasn't a better 4yo. If not injured he'd have won the Triple Crown I'm sure. You didn't mention that your favourite Reform actually beat Taj Dewan and RP in the Champion. A couple of disagreements with you. Moore did not ride Busted in the Eclipse, he was on the stable number one Fleet. That's fact. In the Grand National everyone always talks about Honey End being the unlucky horse (mainly I believe because he was favourite [I think])but I believe he was further behind Red Alligator who was impeded just as much and finished third: I thought he was the unlucky horse. That's opinion. Finally you mention all the Aussie jockeys, but mid-August Joe Mercer was about 15 winners clear of the field in the Jockey's Championship and generally considered a certainty for it whereupon he broke his back in a fall at Folkestone. That's the way it was. Anyway a great post Tamerlo. You mentioned Persian War and as a 4yo ihe was strongly fancied for the '67 Champion Hurdle, but they decided to skip the Festival and he ran instead in the Triumph Hurdle (which was then run in April) and won that easily. He had been an outstanding juvenile hurdler (lost only on his first outing I think) and although I always had a soft spot for that tough horse Sempervivum I think he may have put his elders in their place. It's not even considered as an option for a 4yo today as the Triumph is run at the Festival. Sorry for the late post but been en vacance. (Oh in '67 QPR as a 3rd Division team won the League Cup).
