1979 Waterford Crystal Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

Date: Wednesday 14th March 1979 |
Course: Cheltenham |
Distance: 2m 200y |
Going: Heavy |
Winning Time: 4m 27.9s |
Winner: Monksfield (Dessie Hughes) [D McDonogh] |
Runners: 10

[@LordMontystink]

Many thanks for the upload. He was a tough boy, that Monksfield. Unlike nowadays, there were not many level weights or condition races in Ireland at the time and, once established, he was usually giving weight to good horses. One of the best.

[@fedlad]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, a classic performance from Monksfield. Thanks for uploading.

[@runatuna1]

fedlad

[@Kevin-rz1jd]

What a performance from a brave monksfield to beat sea pigeon two great horses fighting out a fantastic finish

[@befairish]

Great memories, thanks+++

[@MickRound-m4g]

I'd backed Kybo - absolutely cruising 2 out and stayed 2 and half. Couldn't believe he tipped over!

[@MrGezz66]

Sea Pigeon was much loved, but actually quite a frustrating horse at times. He resented the whip and didn't like to hit the front too soon. Won the Ebor off top weight later that year, but I'll be seriously impressed if you ever manage to upload that.

[@HorseRacingLegends]

Racecourse technical sevices must have recorded it but never ever released,Probably wiped years ago

[@gerrymcguire7382]

MrGezz66 Went too soon jonjo

[@HorseRacingLegends]

Defo did but Monksfield was a grim battler and refused to be beaten and the course was shorter next year,Sea Pigeon imo was the greatest hurdler of all time.

[@gerrymcguire7382]

Sea pigeon was my favourite but night nurse I think was the best hurdler ever

[@HorseRacingLegends]

Great shout and he may well could have been,

[@raekiesha]

What a fantastic find ! When did they stop going past the stands for hurdle races at Cheltenham Festival - I have forgotten now. Also do you have any Gold Cups where they used to start in a chute behind the Grandstand. Remember 1 or 2 of those Gold Cups when I was young !

[@tonyparkes9541]

the 1979 1980 season

[@williamnightingale2285]

This was the last time the field in the Champion Hurdle went past the stands and jumped the flight behind the central enclosure. The old Gold Cup start on a spur next to the stands was last used in 1974.

[@conoshea241]

Surely all playing for places if Golden Cygnet had lived ?? How great would he have been no doubt a fantastic era for top class hurdlers

[@davebesag]

You could say the same about Kybo in this race.

[@jameswright2338]

This was the year some BBC staff wouldn't work ,hence no close up shots of the second last hurdle.

[@jameswright2338]

Totally agree Paul. Too many experts on racing today.Oh to have the likes of Sir Peter O'Sullevan,Clive Graham,Julian Wilson and Peter Bromley.

[@tonyparkes9541]

this is last year they used the old hurdle course

[@kevinhill7996]

tony parkes ,thanks for brilliant footage,I preferred the old course,did they ever race behind the one stand,so long ago ?

[@paulsummerfield6357]

Wow can't remember this layout of cheltenham and I'm in my mid forties

[@mervyncharter]

Kybo looked to be absolutely cruising when he fell two out.

[@ArtietheArchon]

was Kybo injured here

[@rayduck9175]

Yep

[@billmensale7552]

He did survive it but sadly had a fatal fall in a chase at Ascot 2 years later

[@joefishlynch5632]

It's amazing the things you remember watching this old footage , Julian Wilson was interviewing the jockey pre race ( Bob Champion I Think ) and he informed Julian that the name Kubo was from an abbreviation of Keep Your Bowels Open , which made me laugh and has weirdly stuck within my memory for over 40 years

[@gazowenowen250]

Monkey was a tough little git sea pigeon was the class horse won 2 Chester cups an ebor and two CH at 10 and 11

[@Sooty-ri2si]

Do you have 1978 Joe coral final ?

[@espmadrid]

No, very little from the 70's available.

[@gazowenowen250]

Kybo was cantering

[@waqarkhan25]

the last ear for great horses champion hurdle after that we have not see that they goo hurdle in the 80's in the 90's they good and in 2000's they where ok 2010's they where ok now 2020's so far so good horses