1980 Waterford Crystal Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

Date: Tuesday 11th March 1980 |
Course: Cheltenham |
Distance: 2m |
Going: Soft |
Winning Time: 4m 6.0s |
Winner: Sea Pigeon (Jonjo O'Neill) [M H Easterby] |
Runners: 9

[@phillip7134]

The halcyon days of National Hunt Racing. What superstars these great horses were. Never see great days like these anymore.

[@markkirby2282]

a field full of legends

[@eugenekeher978]

Sea Pigeon always had this finishing turn of speed , I remember him on the flat winning a Chester Cup and an Ebor , he lived to a grand old age .

[@ollythorp5428]

Brilliant race!

[@darrensmith4279]

The raft of talent.the names.that was the era.of high quality.fantastic race.sea pigeon.what a horse.so versatile.7th in the derby.wow.nothing of the calibre these days

[@paulotoole9758]

Sea Pigeon at last at 10 years of age.

[@Jon-th4dv]

John Francome.. class jockey.

[@chatham43]

...thought Jonjo rode him....

[@Jon-th4dv]

@@chatham43 No.. jonjo was injured J.francome rode sea pigeon. No disrespect to jonjo but J.francome's riding style was like a rolls royce compared to jonjo's. No one better than francome then; or present day at getting a horse on the right stride in to a fence.

[@alicesutton2324]

JJO rode him. JF road him the next year.

[@Jon-th4dv]

@@alicesutton2324 No JJO did not ride sea pigeon in the 1980 Champion hurdle, he was injured.... John Francome rode him. If you watch the race; you can see it's clearly J .Francome by his riding style.It's easy to check. Google it.

[@gerrymcguire7382]

@@Jon-th4dv you Google it mate Jonjo 1980 Francome 1981