Top 25 Greatest 3m Chasers

A video of the top 25 greatest 3m chasers. There's probably a few controversial selections but I don't think there's any real glaring omissions.
In the time I've been following the sport Desert Orchid & Kauto Star are the two best 3m chasers I've seen. If I had to choose between them I'd probably just side with Kauto Star.
In alphabetical order:
Arkle
Best Mate
Burrough Hill Lad
Captain Christy
Carvill's Hill
Cottage Rake
Cue Card
Dawn Run
Denman
Desert Orchid
Don Cossack
Easter Hero
Flyingbolt
Golden Miller
Imperial Commander
Kauto Star
Kicking King
L'Escargot
Mandarin
Mill House
One Man
Pendil
See More Business
Silver Buck
Wayward Lad

[@spaz5138]

I love arkle I'm his biggest fan no one knows him more than me I love him so much r.i.p rest in peace boy who was a great racehorse and I miss you

[@pauldonohoe3646]

People don't know horse racing if they can't see that Arkle is the greatest horse that ever lived. He was a freak of nature the likes that will never be seen again. Dawn Run always brings a tear to the eye.

[@garrywilson4895]

Yes, Arkle without any doubt the greatest of them all! You can talk about Sea Bird or Frankel, but neither of them had to carrie 12 stone 7 in bog heavy winter going over 3 miles and truce the opposition. What would have been almost impossible for most horses, was another day at the office for Arkle.

[@pauldonohoe3646]

@Joe Morton 🙈🙈🙈I'm embarrassed for you Joe🙈🙈🙈

[@rhysdavis6447]

@@garrywilson4895 Why are you comparing nh to flat horses? Frankel is highest rated flat horse ever & arkle highest rated chaser of all time ? Like usian bolt and mo farrah competing against eachother

[@stephenking8505]

Flying bolt did the same feat as arkle.

[@jamesbaker6834]

​@@garrywilson4895arkle was the best but desert orchid most come close he had 12 stone 7 when he won the Irish national give panto prince 22 pounds and still beat him Best Mate was underated he won 3 gold cups no one done it since and that and it will be the 20th years since he won his last gold cup 04

[@sootyfox1]

lescargot....so underated 2 gold cups and a grand national..be a long long time till any horse does that again

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

Here here

[@spaz5138]

Arkle would kill them arkle greatest racehorse and male steeplechaser and dawn run the greatest female steeplechaser and racehorse

[@dognowork]

French tan, glencarraig lady, the dikler, fort leney, Spanish steps, all solid 3 milers in a golden era.

[@rorybrennan360]

Arkle simly the best evet.his stable mate Flyingbolt a close second.

[@kepnjem]

Night Nurse, Young Ash Leaf. Dawn Run was my favourite ever horse and that finish never ceases to give me goosebumps.

[@christopheraspland9343]

Gives me goosebumps me too.

[@PATRIARCA173]

Arkle- Flying Bolt- Kauto Star.

[@michaelcoleman2061]

You do some amazing videos sir x thank you

[@quidnunc2436]

Arkle is universally regarded as the greatest chaser of all time and having been around when Arkle was racing I have to agree with that assessment. Few horses were ever asked to regularly make such huge weight concessions to his rivals as Arkle was. I shall never forget the Gallagher Gold Cup at Sandown in 1965 when Arkle was giving Mill House 16 pounds and in the process of winning the race he broke the course record by 17 seconds, a course record for 3 miles which still stands. There is probably some truth in the belief that Arkle was a freak of nature as his sire Archive was a decent horse ,but his dam Bright Cherry didn't amount to much. Golden Miller was a great chaser having won five Cheltenham Gold Cups and a Grand National, but I still rate Arkle his superior. The other thing to bear in mind about Arkle is that he never once fell. It is always difficult to compare horses from different generations, and in truth perhaps a little unfair, but after the passage of 50 years, Arkle is still the benchmark by which all other chasers are compared, which says it all.

[@barbaradyson6951]

Elwyn Richards wrong arkle did fall

[@quidnunc2436]

Not in a competitive race he didn't. Now go away and do some knitting.

[@barbaradyson6951]

Elwyn Richards yes he did read his history also what you have not mentioned golden miller set up a course for the grand national plus the fences were different during gm era the style was changed around the 50s.

[@barbaradyson6951]

Elwyn Richards yes he did READ HIS HISTORY. Well it takes one to know one sunshine keep smiling

[@Q...A]

@@barbaradyson6951 Wow l have been reading your comments about horses and whilst l will say you are very knowledgeable in the subject, you are very opinionated. You can trot out (excuse the pun) as many statements as you want but the simple facts are that Arkle is the highest rated chaser EVER and there has never been a horse where in National Hunt history where there had to be two sets of handicaps because of "Himself" Just because you have an opinion doesn't make you right. I don't understand why you are so bitter and angry when it comes to Arkle? But you can't argue with facts and he is officially rated the GREATEST so sorry to burst your bubble.

[@bf6848]

Desert Orchid, I genuinely loved that horse.

[@dawnkeir549]

Best mate so underated can only beat what is there

[@michaeljenkins8593]

definitely mate great horse my 2nd fav of all time behind dessie

[@markhodgkinson6649]

His greatest performance was in the 1965 Gallaher Gold Cup, a handicap chase run at Sandown Park 40 years ago tomorrow. His principal opponent in a field of seven was his old rival Mill House, who had seemed to be on the decline since losing to Arkle in the fabled 1964 Gold Cup but was reported back to his best for their fifth meeting. Mill House had won the first after Arkle had slipped, but although the score was now 3-1 in the Irishman's favour, Mill House was carrying 16lb less weight than Arkle and seemed to have a real chance of getting one back. Then, for spectators to applaud before a race was as unheard of as applauding in church. But the sight of Arkle and Mill House about to take each other on in the crisp autumnal sunshine around one of the sport's finest arenas was simply too much. As the two principals left the Sandown Park paddock - nowadays the pre-parade ring on the Esher course - a few could no longer contain themselves. Their clapping encouraged others, and as the runners turned near the final fence to canter back to the three-mile start the whole stand erupted in a crescendo of cheering. Nothing like this had ever been experienced on a British racecourse, and in those few minutes the racegoing community threw off its stays - and, more or less, has left them off ever since. Mill House went into the lead, and as the pair attacked the fences down the back straight the crowd went into further raptures. Round the far turn Mill House still led but, on the approach to the stands, with another whole circuit to race, Arkle pulled his way to the front - a manoeuvre which had John Lawrence (now Lord Oaksey) observing: "I can't remember a more obvious display of understanding in a racehorse. No one had told Arkle the distance of the Gallaher Gold Cup, but he knew Sandown - and would tolerate no leader up the well remembered hill." Advertisement Having realised that there was more running to do, Arkle let Mill House regain the lead. The key stage of a steeplechase at Sandown Park is the succession of three closely positioned Railway Fences at the end of the back straight and, as Mill House hurled himself over each one, Arkle, scampering along in his wake, looked out of it. Round the far turn Mill House maintained his gallop and his advantage over Arkle. Now surely the weight concession would bite - but instead Arkle produced the most staggering display of sheer class ever seen in a steeplechase. Whoosh! Without any apparent effort or any visible pressure from his jockey Pat Taaffe, Arkle engaged another gear and swept past Mill House in about five strides. It was ridiculously easy, and it added a new dimension to its sport. It was Arkle's defining moment. The surge of power sent Arkle swinging merrily over the last three fences to win by 20 lengths from Rondetto, who had passed the toiling Mill House in the closing stages. The time of the race underlined the quality of Arkle's performance: he had beaten the course record by 17 seconds. No one was in any doubt that they had witnessed something very special.

[@112sje]

Nice to see Wayward Lad there who has to be the unluckiest Gold Cup runner-up. The 5lb mares' allowance had only just been introduced. If you do a list of the best marathon chasers I trust my all-time favourite Red Rum will be on it.

[@davidkent8606]

There were some great 3 milers who were unlucky eough to be in the same era as Mill House and Arkle, the ones that spring to my mind are Pas Seul, Dormant, Stalbridge Colonist, Woodland Venture, Saffron Tartan, What a Myth (who did eventually win a Gold Cup after along run of wins in hunter chases that season), Fortria. Bregawn (who also won a Gold Cup) was also a great 3 miler until he lost his interest in racing, and I always thought Wayward Lad was the best horse never to win the Gold Cup, Comb's Ditch is also worth a mention. An interesting bit of trivia is who is the only horse to beat Arkle and Mill House in races where they finished in the frame? Answer: Dormant beat Arkle in his last race when he was injured, the King George, and Dormant won the Whitbread Gold Cup, beating Laffy 2nd and Mill House 3rd. Other 3 milers who were prolific winners, if not great were Frenchman's Cove ( I know he did run in at least one Gold Cup), and hunter chasers Baulking Green and Pride of Ivanhoe, a giant of a horse in the mode of Party Politics.

[@horseracingstuff]

A really enjoyable video. The only one I think is a clear mistake is no Florida Pearl. He didn't get a yard over three miles but I'd have him instead of Don Cossack. I'd also argue that Beef Or Salmon as should be there as he was great in Ireland (just not in Britain) and maybe instead of Imperial Commander. Perhaps even Al Capone II who won the Prix La Haye Jousselin seven times at Auteuil although it looks like he never ran outside France.

[@dawnkeir549]

Love cue card

[@stephenholmes1036]

No Sonny Somers who won at 18? No Spanish Steps, No Mac Vidi, No Height of Fashion, No Stalbridge colonist?

[@bobbyknox9258]

Arkle first. And literally the rest nowhere

[@tonymahon5025]

He never got the credit he deserved,Captain Christy.

[@raborian]

Flyingbolt was something else. 2m - 3m4 came alike to him. just like Desert Orchid, only better

[@rhysdavis6447]

Arkle, Flying Bolt, Sprinter Sacre, Kauto Star

[@thecommission6662]

This video is about 3mile chasers. Sprinter Sacre was a 2 miler.

[@raymondgilbert7266]

How did The Dikler not make it

[@bregawn]

Bregawn won his Gold Cup in a high quality field

[@michaeljenkins8593]

dessie still gives me goosebumps watching his gold cup win

[@mizofan]

He was utterly wonderful- that race was incredible, he had such will and courage.

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

Don't remember him but golden miller must of been special 5 gold cups plus a grand national in the same year breaking the track record off 12-2 class

[@Carpetlay1]

I’m having a stewards! You’ve put Don Cossack and Kicking King in here, but you haven’t included Looks Like Trouble. Now if John Francome says, it’s the best horse he’s ever sat on and he rode Borough Hill Lad and Wayward Lad then you need to think again. Looks Like Trouble would have beaten most of these.

[@andrewevzona2876]

Arkle first by a canter as Pat Taaffe stated in various books then Flyingbolt second closely followed by Mill House third, and, forget the rest all trailing in their wake...... though how you included the likes of Cue Card,Dawn Run, Don Cossack,Imperial Commander in the greatest 25 x 3 mile chasers beggars belief as the likes of Prince Regent,Pas Seul,Crisp and Midnight Court were better 3mile chasers on overall form shown in their races and Killiney was robbed of joining the greats by a premature injury, while, if you are going to include Wayward Lad, then, you can also include Brown Chamberlin too, as he beat Wayward Lad more times than he was beaten by him. Those are the facts of the matter and I have been watching Racing since 1961.

[@bregawn]

What's Dawn Run doing on this list of great chasers? Third best horse when she won the Gold Cup and was a questionable jumper

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

Captain Christy and carvills hill shouldn't be on this list so what's your point

[@paulmannion8048]

the fellow should be in there - would have won 3 gold cups had the owner allowed the jockey to use and carry a whip

[@thomaslogue7773]

No horse could beat arkle at level weight story ended he's the only horse that changed the rules and when he broke his padal bone he was nine and still improving he was a phenomenon

[@tombarnes2049]

There were some who thought Flyingbolt might have beaten him had they been able to race against each other.

[@thomaslogue7773]

@@tombarnes2049 flyingbolt was a 2and a half miler although he wom over 3 miles plus but as pat taffeta said arkle would have broke flyingbolt heart he was a relentless galloperand had that great turn of speed over 3 miles

[@susanrobinson6970]

Crackle 9 grade 1wins legend

[@quick46]

Cue Card? Jesus Christ mate...........

[@gerardlacey5428]

What about Arkle giving over 2 stone in weight to stalbridge conolist in the Hennessy,and only just losing out.stalbridge conolist almost went on to win the Gold Cup.This proves Arkle gave weight to good horses.Also,great to see Dawn Run rated higher than Desert Orchid.She was a special mare.

[@mizofan]

Rated higher- where? Isn't this in alpabetical order? Dessie gave weight as no horse has done since. Dawn Run is one of my favourites, but Dessie was wonderful.

[@gerardlacey5428]

@@mizofan I think dawn run met desert orchid in the 1984 champion hurdle. Desert orchid was unable to keep pace with the mare. She beat desert orchid out of sight. I think Desert orchid benefited from the sad demise of Dawn Run,as Desert orchid never beat anything of great significance.

[@chriseyres7713]

don cossack and cue card better than the likes of The Fellow?? 😳

[@davidmastin416]

A lot of memories stored amongst those equine superstar's but no place for Spanish Steps,Red Rum or Crisp, great viewing though.

[@rohansrider]

Because they were not 3 milers - they were Nationals horses and damn good ones too. Underrated was L'escargot: two gold cups, placed in three, and won a national and placed in three. After his 1975 win in the GN, , he was retired to the trainer, but quite disgracefully the Moores started sending him around minor tracks where he was made to look inferior. His owner Raymond Guest on hearing this took the horse away and sent him back to the USA for a proper retirement in the lush green fields. As I said already, the horse world is full of some very unpleasant people.

[@davidmastin416]

@@rohansrider Incorrect, not just Grand National horses, all three horses won over 3 miles in fact all 3 won or made the frame from 2 miles up to 4 1/2 miles NH, lots of evidence to support this. Spanish Steps a very talented and consistent racehorse made the frame in what I consider the big 5 for Staying steeplechasers The Cheltenham Gold Cup, King George VI chase, Grand National, Hennessy Gold Cup, Whitbread Gold Cup. Crisp won the Gainsborough chase, Geoffrey Gilbey Memorial Chase as well as exploits around Cheltenham and Aintree. Red Rum won 27 times over fences 17 of these were over 3 miles and above. This doesn't mean they have to be in the top 25 list but to considered as they are and always will be 3 mile chasers. L'escargot should always be considered for inclusion in such lists after all the 1970s was the golden age of steeplechasing. He was retired on the spot after his victory in the 1975 Grand National by his owner Raymond Guest and as a token of his appreciation he gave the horse Dan and Joan Moore who had trained and campaigned him so successfully, unhappily the matter ended in misunderstanding. So well was L'escargot in the Autumn that the Moore decided to give him one more race in the Kerry National where he was beaten a head. On hearing the news a Guest immediately sent for the horse and shipped him to Virginia, where he spent his retirement until his death in November 1985.

[@rohansrider]

@@davidmastin416 I think that the person who put together the list intended it to be about horses that were 'known' for their success in races that didn't include the GN. I am well aware of all the races that Red Rum ran in, but he is still best known for his record at Aintree. I saw Crisp run at Sandown in 1975 in the Whitbread, and I always backed Spanish Steps for a place in. the GN. As for L'escargot, I beg to differ. It was far more than a misunderstanding; RaymondGuest said the horse could go hunting; the Moores had other ideas; when Guest heard he had run in the Kerry National, he was furious but he agreed to pay all the traveling costs just to get back the horse to VA. You obviously know a lot about NH racing, so I m sure you will appreciate the accurate version. The handsome horse spent the rest of his life in retirement. Dan Moore was not in the best of health and did not want any trouble. Perhaps it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Denman went hunting after retiring and apparently loved it. What a pity that Kauto Star did not do the same; all that dressage nonsense did not suit him, just a vanity project for the owner. Small wonder Paul Nicholls was so upset when Clive Smith took the horse away. And, as we all know poor KS met with a tragic accident.

[@davidmastin416]

@@rohansrider The list included Golden Miller one victory in the Grand National from 5 starts, L'Escargot one victory, one second place and one third place in the Grand National from 4 starts and Easter Hero one second place in the Grand National from 3 starts. Therefore it would be a reasonable assumption to believe that all 3 mile chasers including Spanish Steps, Crisp and Red Rum would be available to be chosen for such lists, the person who compiled the list didnt rate them high enough, its only an opinion but I do.

[@rohansrider]

@@davidmastin416, you are right. I am so glad that the noble Easter Hero made the list, his overall win rate was high, and was unlucky not to win a GN, In fact, he brought down half the field at the Canal Turn. Golden Miller too, did not have a great record around those awesome Aintree fences. I suppose it is a bit subjective. I believe that there will never be another Red Rum; Tiger Roll has won two, but I doubt if he will match Rummy's amazing overall achievements. That's why I love NH. Brave, noble horses who give us so much and return year after year. I know there are fatalities and seeing a horse thrashing about on the ground is a terrible sight. I have seen several and those images have lived with me forever. I was terribly upset by the death of Jenny Pitam's Smith's Band in 1997 ( how horribly uncanny, that it was she and Smiths Band that appeared on the front cover of the Sunday Telegraph the day before the Monday GN).it ruined the superb victory of Lord Gyllene which IMO was the finest performance ever. .

[@kevinblakey9249]

No Jodami? 1 Gold Cup, 3 Irish Gold Cups?

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

Yes a fellow jodami fan what a horse

[@kevinblakey9249]

@@Gazowen-qz5xy I helped out at Peter Beaumonts yard. He was a massive horse

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

@@kevinblakey9249 you git but what an honour and what a trainer he was Peter Beaumont

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

No master oats or cottage rake

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

Carvills hill who wrote this list Stevie wonder good horse yes top 25 debatable

[@robwightman6357]

Kauto was a brilliant animal

[@mizofan]

I've just finished reading The Grey Horse: The True Story of Desert Orchid by his owner Richard Burridge, written just after Dessie retired. A marvellous read, i choked up up a few times. Such a wonderful and loved horse. It's sad that many horses have died for our entertainment and some owners' and others' greed; may all be safe and happy and well cared for.

[@stevelee4952]

There was little between Arkle and Flyingbolt. No less a man than Ted Walsh believes Flyingbolt to be the best.

[@marksmith7425]

Lol none of them would have had a chance against Arkle and also they had to have two different handicaps when arkle run in handicaps and used to give a stone and a half and even two stone away and still used to winter in a canter.

[@michaelbennett8975]

Think you will find Long Run rated higher than a lot of these

[@rohansrider]

What a shame there was no video of Cottage Rake - a triple Gold Cup winner. Ah, Flyingbolt stable companion to Arkle. Both Pat Taafe and Tom Dreaper felt he was the better horse. Pendil the best horse never to win a Gold Cup.Finally, very sad many of these champions did not make old bones but were killed in races that should have been avoided or died in accidents .. Dawn Run's greedy owner ,after the mare had fallen at the first at Aintree, sent her to Paris and she was killed. What a reward for a brave horse!! Not the nicest of people in horse racing.

[@barbaradyson6951]

Rosalind mercer. you are right about greedy owners, poor old Persian war. that horse had more trainers than you and I have had hot dinners. I know you said about the horses being killed whilst racing, but you could say they died doing what they liked best, the same comments we use when a person dies, In fact more horses are killed on the roads than in racing, read the british horse societies comments about that matter.

[@davidhunter9367]

@@barbaradyson6951 No! Please don't tell me that Persian War had a bad life or a bad end. A great horse and my favourite hurdler. I remember a year in the sixties when he had a prodigious number of races and won just one - the Champion Hurdle. They raced him in bloody handicaps all the time where he had to give away huge lumps of weight. A wonderful horse and an emblem of the great years of racing.

[@barbaradyson6951]

@@davidhunter9367 i had the pleasure of seeing Persian war at Wembley. His owner henry alpher sent Persian war to I believe 6 different trainers in his life. How he ended up not sure, but after alphers treatment of the horse it wouldn't surprise me. Sorry.

[@goldenmiller7942]

Barbara, wiki states that Persian War ended his days at Genesis Green Stud and passed away 1984 at 21 apparently his heart is buried under a headstone raised by Henry Alper. But your right they give so much pleasure they should be treated with a lot more respect and sensibility.

[@rodk1055]

That is not correct. Pat Taaffe is on video stating explicitly that Arkle was the superior horse and would have outgunned Flyingbolt for speed. Tom Dreaper never stated that Flyingbolt was better. Get your facts straight.

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

Captain christy on this list really not in my top 100

[@litogor]

Pitiable ranking of a british! Forgetting The Fellow .... pfff This horse won the two best English and French races = Gold Cup, King George, La Haye Jousselin, Grand Steeple Chase De Paris! No British horse will be able to do that. Also know that his own little brother, Al Capone II, won 1 time the Grand Steeple Chase De Paris and especially ... 7 times La Haye Jousselin !!!! (absolute world record) Twenty years ago, the British started to buy horses in France and immediately they had a huge success. Unfortunately, the other British trainers who wanted to remain competitive, were also forced to buy horses in France at crazy prices! Currently, French breeding horses win about 80% of the British group 1 and yet the French keep their best horses ... Nevertheless, the best chaser of all time was called kATKO (3 times the Grand Steeple Chase De Paris) and it will be forever the most extraordinary phenomenon ever seen on the chase! Nobody dared to follow him because many unfortunate very good horses killed themselves or wounded trying at the end of the 80s .... If he had crossed the Channel, he would have won any Gold Cup by more than 50 lengths ... Try to find a video of him and you will easily understand that you have never seen such a horse in your life and that this ranking is exclusively a British ranking ...

[@electriceclectic5144]

silver buck annihilated burrough hill lad 3 lengths giving 21lb at wincanton should.ve won 3 gold cups ,injured in one.withdrawn in 2 re weather,2 king george,would.ve been 3 if when long odds on ,meeting abandoned. often carried 12.7 and once 13 stone. Dawn run couldn.t jump beat wayward lad who never won round cheltenham. 80s chasers best strength in depth ever. Best Mate most over rated ever,only time he ran in handicap ,got beat by Wahiba sands!!!!!😁😂😂😅 slaughtered by jair du cochet who would.ve won gold cups. some of these over rated and hyped up.

[@diesis]

Bucket was my first jumping hero and he never got the credit he deserved, he could have been the first 3 time King George winner but if memory serves me right the race was called off and I don't think he was fully fit to run in the race but who cares, if he was entered he could have won. He was one of those horses like Denman who if you wanted a horse to run for your life he would be the one. The other horse from the Dickinson stable who would beat everyone nowadays would be Wayward Lad, beautiful jumper, another horse who could pretty much do it over any distance, I still don't know how he lost to Dawn Run that year when he was running way out of his normal distance but I guess that is racing.

[@tommcguirk5887]

Lol

[@markllewellyn2824]

Kautostar is the best,I’ve ever seen,when he was on song,nothing could beat him,what a horse,he used to give me goosebumps,and that betfair chase with imperial commander,was pretty special,and nobody new at the time,another gold cup winner,his form was top notch,what a special horse,r.I.p king Kautostar you will be missed,by many

[@stevelee4952]

Denman took Kauto apart in his Gold Cup. Never the same horse after thanks to his dodgy ticker. Great sport racing, we have a view and nothing or nobody can prove us wrong!! Love it.

[@barbaradyson6951]

They showed a picture of golden miller but what they didn't say was the horse won the Cheltenham gold cup 5 times, NO HORSE HAS EVER DONE THAT plus he also won the grand national in the same year and set a national record. How can anyone say arkle was the greatest, when he NEVER WON A QUEEN MOTHER CHASE LIKE desert orchid kauto star, the list is endless.

[@rohansrider]

Arkle was always severely handicapped. in the Hennessy of 1964 he gave nearly three stone to the winner Stalbridge Colonist. Desert Orchid and Kauto Star never ran in handicaps unlike Denman his stable companion.He always carried level weight.The rules of handicapping were altered because Arkle was so good..If he ran there was one seat of weights he carried often well over 12 stone, if he did not run there was a second set of weights. That to me is cruelty. Lumping more and more weight on one horse to see him get beat. I saw Arkle run he was a wonderful horse. Golden Miller did win the GN but ran in four others and never finished, he fell. Paul Nichols was gutted when that fool Clive Smith sent Kauto Star to be a dressage horse . He should have stayed at Ditchett and been a happy hacker. I loved him, the only horse to win 5 King Georges and win back the Gold Cup. Vile owners: 1984 GN winner Hello Dandy was thrown away in a field and virtually starved - bastards. I love the horses they are so brave,but I loath so many of the owners. 'Nouveau riche' riff-raff who know nothing about horses but have too much money. If you are interested read Arkle by Ivor Herbert ( himself the trainer of GC winner Linwell) . He was the best racing author - ever. As a footnote , Anne Duchess of Westminster would never risk Arkle in the GN. She won it later in 1985 with Last Suspect who was a very quirky horse.Nice to talk.

[@barbaradyson6951]

Rosalind desert orchid won the irish grand national by 15 lengths carrying top weight 12stone 2lbs, his nearest rival carried 10stone 8lbs, arkle won the irish grand national carrying 12 7 but only beat his rival who was not carrying bottom weight by a length, You obviously didn't know that grittar was also found abandoned, but that was then nowadays there is a lot more care and welfare involved. Golden Miller fell in the other grand nationals, but NO HORSE HAS EVER achieved what he did, handicapper or not, yes dessie did run in handicappe chases and so would have kauto star. I have known some of the owners and not all are like that, some do care very much about their horses, and for a horse to retire at 10 or 11 is a waste, I am in favour of them doing other disciplines, like dressage, western riding. Some horses wither away went not active.

[@rohansrider]

I did not know about Grittar. I am not saying horses should not be active.,not at all but I am truly not convinced that for many dressage is the answer, Denman went hunting and by all accounts loved it .NH horses love to gallop and be out and about and I watched Kauto Star being forced into an outline by Laura Collett which he seemed not to enjoy. To chuck a horse out in a field often alone , poorly fed and neglected is no reward for the fame that the owner has been afforded. Of course they are not all horrid but I still feel horses can attract the most ruthless and uncaring people. Re handicapping I was mistaken about Dessie, but not Kauto . Many of those races in which Dessie ran, are no longer handicaps The Tingle Creek being one and by the time KS ran in them they were levels .

[@barbaradyson6951]

Rosalind mercer, dressage is a funny old game, but believe it or not many tbs do have a knack for it, mine hated anything that involved the dreaded word work. He was bred from a very good family, but just hated everything, until I took him to a western show and he took to it like a duck. He had the action for dressage, could jump, and event, but just hated it. Lots of people don't think racehorses can do anything else but race, that's not true. They are a very very versatile horse, but just need a bit more patience, me I love them to death. plus the hannoverian.

[@matthat66]

Neither Desert Orchid or Kauto Star ever won a Queen Mother Chase??

[@spaz5138]

But red rum was the real CHAMPION

[@mizofan]

Great and popular horse of course, but in 1973 the weight handicap cost Crisp victory

[@spaz5138]

@@mizofan i know but red rum is better but crisp great horse tho

[@stephenholmes1036]

@@mizofan Red rumwon 3 flat races, 21 NH races , placed 37 times . He won the grand national 3 Times, 2nd twice, won the Scottish national , second in the Hennessey gold cup and never fell. Crisp was a great horse but not in Red Rums class.

[@101mossie]

24, take one man out.

[@101mossie]

@Michael Collins would have been over the correct trip, wasn’t a top class stayer I’m afraid.

[@bobbell4461]

no Red rum the King of Aintree, better than Carvils Hill that's for sure

[@horseracingstuff]

Rummy was a better jumper than Carvills Hill but the latter would have annihilated him over 3m if he jumped right.

[@electriceclectic5144]

@@horseracingstuff not round Aintree/Cheltenham/Haydock/wetherby/Sandown,proper fences ,especially in the 70s ,80s.

[@matrix-lol]

Silverbuck was the best by miles.. he even beat arkle in a computer fact race..

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

I met Michael Dickinson once and he said silver buck was the best he trained