I'm only doing this because of a discussion on this youtube video! Of Desert Orchid winning 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcCuIVn6egM My heart says Desert Orchid because of what he achieved from 2 miles (Victor Chandler and Tingle Creek) up to 3 miles 5 furlongs (Whitbread and Irish Grand National), plus of course the Cheltenham Gold Cup. But Kauto Star is the only horse to "regain" his crown by winning the Gold Cup for a second time in 2009, and he was unbeaten in the 2006-2007 season including an impressive win in the Tingle Creek.
Two fantastic chasers who both showed versatility in terms of track and trip (although Dessie really wasn't the same horse going left-handed) and, as such, comparisons serve only to flatter both, rather than try and identify the "better" horse. Dessie ran in an age where top steeplechasers regularly took in big handicaps and his defining performance in my eyes was when winning the old Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown - absolutely awesome. Kauto Star was kept to Grade 1s by connections and has a remarkable record. Both greats who were campaigned differently.
Kauto Star was a better horse than good old Dessie, lets not forget that Kauto Star was very versatile too, winning two Tingle Creeks alongside his King George's, Gold Cups and Betfair Chases. The longevity of both horses careers at the top level is amazing, and both were favourites of mine.
Both great horses and Dessie won everyone over with his exuberance and love of winning as he showed in the Gold cup when he looked finished. I would have to say Kauto Star however and the main reason for doing so is from a race watchers point of view when Kauto was in his prime you just knew as the lined up that he was going to win. I don't think you were ever so certain about Dessie, you would fancy him but it was never quite so certain and I think that is because he just lacked a little bit of that extra class that Kauto had. I will always enjoy watching a Desert Orchid race back on you tube far more than a Kauto however.
If I had to name 2 horses to which I was emotionally attached, they are the 2. No other horse has ever affected me the way they did. However, it was Kauto who affected me the most, with an ambulance call just avoided on 26th Dec 2011.
Yes, I understand that, mine will always be One Man, and then Best Mate, winner of three Gold Cups in a row, surely they weren't all sub-standard renewals?
