Page 26 - December 2006 The Game

26 The Game, December 2006
Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
A Legend in his Own Lifetime
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Desert Orchid leading the field on his way to winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Yahoo is in the yellow with black arm bands.
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Every year in the racing world we see really good horses race, and every so often a great horse comes along, but just occasionally we are graced with a legend.
On the morning of Monday November 13, one of these legends passed away quietly in his stable at the age of 27.
On the track, this prolific winner was a champion who showed unlimited courage with a deep desire to win; off the track, he was an ambassador for our sport who basked in the attention of loyal fans and the media.
His name, Desert Orchid.
This gallant grey with his distinct front running style, flamboyant jumping and penchant for winning, became a house- hold name throughout the land.
After an unflattering fall to mark his
debut as jumper, he developed into a useful hurdler, but it wasn’t until the transition to fences that the star was born.
He progressed through the novice ranks with distinction and, in his second season as a chaser, lined up against the best in the Grade One King George VI Chase. Sent off at 16/1 for his first venture over 3 miles, he ran them absolutely ragged, jumped them all into submission and won comfortably by 15 lengths.
He went on to win many top class races, but elusive to him was a win at Cheltenham, the home of steeplechasing, especially the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup.
On Gold Cup day 1989, the weather was dreadful. Snow covered the track in the early morning and it was clear that the
ground was going to
be desperate later. In
the big race, as they
came to the second
last, it looked as
though the resolute
stayer Yahoo was
going to deny the grey
horse his longed-for
victory, but Desert
Orchid just didn’t
know when to quit
and dug deeper and
deeper and wouldn’t
be denied as he found
more up the infamous Cheltenham hill to get in front before the post.
There was a tremendous outburst of emotion as he passed the winning post. All were cheering and celebrating, hats were flying, complete strangers hugging each other and many tears were shed; a release of passion that is so readily evident in National Hunt racing. The applause when he entered the winners’ enclosure was simply deafening and he
adored every minute of it.
He gave many weight carrying
performances in his career, the most notable in the 3m 4f Irish National when he gave the whole field 26lbs+, blazed the trail and won by 12l, also when beating specialist 2 miler Panto Prince, in a tena- cious battle to the line when giving him 22lbs.
Life in retirement was good for Desert Orchid; he was often seen out at charity events, opening centers, or in ‘Past Winners’ parades. His presence through- out the country earned thousands for charity as people flocked to see this very charismatic horse.
Although the horse had been in retirement for 15 years, all the national papers carried extensive coverage of his death, such was his respect.
He won 34 races from 70 starts, many at the highest level. He started his career at Kempton in 1983 with a fall and ended there in 1991, also with a fall. His ashes will be buried in a ceremony at the Kempton meeting on December 27, close to a statue that stands proud to commemorate this epitome of a steeple- chaser. - Nigel Griffiths.
Thank You
to our Owners and Staff for our Successes
this Season.
May your Christmas
be filled with the love of family & friends and your New Year blessed with happiness that never ends.
- Michael & Josie De Paulo
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