Hyperion, Nijinsky, Sea Bird, Shergar. As they milled around awaiting the starter, all four riders were worried men, for they knew that in any conventional Derby, they would be supremely confident. But this was no ordinary field. Each man aboard his mount, was opposed to three other legendary titans of the turf. It was a given, that any one mistake, would instantly see their hopes reduced to tatters. The four champions stood firm footed in the stalls. The pocket battleship Hyperion had drawn the rail, next to him towered the imposing figure of Nijinsky, then in the three slot stood the majestic colt Sea Bird, and on the outside, and making up the quartet, the mountain of a horse Shergar. As the gates opened, the four left in unison. But it wasn't long before the first shots were fired in anger. Hyperion showing great pace, was first into full stride, his rider Tommy Weston fully intent on leading. He knew that he had to dictate play if he was to have any real chance at all, once the chips were thrown on the table. He couldn't set a cracking pace for fear of falling into the hands of both Sea Bird and Nijinsky who he knew would nail him if he went to quick. He was also affraid of turning the race into a sit and sprint affair, due to the electric sprint of Shergar. Weston was going to have to ride the perfect race. The connections of Hyperion had every right to worry. Shergar, under strong urging from Walter Swinburn, had also mustered great speed out of the stalls, and crossing from the outside, he easily found himself challenging for the lead. In fact the horse had taken Swinburn by surprise. He'd joined Hyperion much too quickly for the riders liking. The last thing he wanted to do, was burn the candle at both ends. He above all, needed to turn the race into an outright sprint battle over the last few furlongs. Both Sea Bird and Nijinsky, while by no means slowly away, could not, nor did they want to, match the pace up front. They were content to settle in behind. As they eased their way around the gentle right turn and worked their way up the hill, Weston allowed the fifteen hand horse with the four flashy white feet, a little more rein and he skipped away to lead a now happier Walter Swinburn on Shergar, who lobbed onto the fence a couple of lengths off the pace. Pat Glennon on Sea Bird claimed the third placing on the rail. Piggott seeing no point in being posted two deep in a four horse race over a mile and a half, also eased into the running line on Nijinsky. In Indian file, they thundered their way at a decent clip to the top of the incline. If the ground was being covered at a good gallop, Weston's mind was fairly racing. As they cast the seven furlong pole adrift, Hyperion's rider knew he could no longer hold fire. He badly needed to get his pursuers off the bit, they had to spend some fuel. Weston asked the short-legged, light-boned but muscular champion to put it on the line. Instantly, Hyperion exploded into action. Hell bent, he scampered down the hill towards Tattenham Corner. In the process, he quickly put four lengths on Shergar. Swinburn was off and after the little horse with the burnished chestnut coat. Boldly he urged on the Stoute trained Shergar. But the dark clouds were gathering behind him. Pat Glennon began to impose himself on the great Sea Bird. As quickly as the two up front went, the Pollett horse slowly edged his way into the race. But Lester Piggott was desperate. Nijinsky's giant power plant just could not respond as quickly as the others. Hard ridden, he still dropped seven or eight lengths off the tear away leader. Hard up against the paint and railing like a greyhound, Hyperion, with Weston fully committed, flung himself around the corner and set sail for home.Shergar by now had cut the lead to three lengths, and Sea Bird was right on his hammer. Two lengths off and ridden for dear life, Nijinsky was beginning to unwind. Valiantly, the little horse fought his way up the running. First to claim him was Shergar, who at the two furlong mark, stuck his head in front for the first time. But as soon as he had achieved the feat, Sea Bird was on him. Swooping like a hawk on a defenceless rodent, Sea Bird quickly snatched the lead from the two on his inside, and began to race away. But there was still one ace in the pack to be played. The Northern Dancer colt, Nijinsky, had finally found top gear. With the O'Brien polish comming to the fore, Piggott swept past the battling pair Hyperion and Shergar, and began to hunt down the hard charging Sea Bird. With all his strength, the long fella flayed away at the Ballydoyle horse, but the post seemed to be closing in too fast. The mighty Sea Bird, although shortening stride a little, pulled out too much in the final half furlong and went on to win by three parts of a length from the heroic Nijinsky. Three lengths away the gallant Hyperion raised another effort to claim the third placing from Shergar.
Not probable, but it's certainly possible. I wonder how effective a brilliant horse would be in a stud full of ordinary mares? he couldn't go to a top line stud, they have their own valuable sires. And If they passed him off as a low cast sire, his stock would be worth ****.
One of the great unsolved mysteries, like why do eyebrows stay short when young, but grow like noxious weeds when we age.
