"It was a shattering performance!" | Watch back Dancing Brave's 1986 Arc win with Guy Harwood

Racing Post readers voted Dancing Brave's 1986 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe to be the greatest ever horse race.
Lee Mottershead headed down to Coldwaltham to visit Guy Harwood, who trained Dancing Brave to Arc success.
Guy watches the race back and tells us why he thinks the Racing Post readers were right in choosing this as the greatest ever race.
Do you agree?
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[@johncopeland3826]

In the Arc de Triomphe of 1986 there were 11 group one winners facing Dancing Brave that day . I still get chills 38 years later .By the way , the starting price that Sunday afternoon was a rsther generous 2/1 . 2's for the greatest horse i have ever seen on a racecourse ! Steal of the decade ... I hope you were on too ?

[@jakemitchell1626]

Still my favourite horse of all time, just a brilliant horse in the jockey wasn't too bad either.

[@alankicks788]

Mine too. The best horse I have ever seen

[@mickydroyboy1542]

That withering run down the outside still gives me goosebumps nearly forty years later .what a fantastic racehorse I believe there were nine or ten individual group 1 winners in that arc that year and the brave made them look pedestrian

[@mikedavies9953]

Anyone who thinks Frankel would have beaten DB after watching this race needs to visit Specsavers

[@Hanamy7777]

Frankel never raced over a mile and a half. He never raced outside England. If Henry Cecil had Dancing Brave the horse would have been winning claimers at Chelmsford.

[@mikedavies9953]

He wouldnt have beaten DB over 1m2 either , maybe at 1m@@Hanamy7777

[@johnfaw]

Maybe over 5f or 6f.

[@KevinMunday-oh6xq]

Sea Bird and pent celebre would have beaten him. They both excelerated in even more excillerating style. Pent celebre actually excellarated twice at the end. Dancing brave great horse tho.

[@mikedavies9953]

@@KevinMunday-oh6xq I dont think so myself , i never saw Sea bird apart from grainy BW pics, Pentre Celebre would not have got near him , had he won the derby he would be rated alongside Sea Bird at 146

[@brit8013]

Abdullah as had some absolutely fantastic horses . Glad juddmonte are still going

[@Newworldman66]

Dancing Brave, Frankel, Rainbow Quest, Enable, Midday, Zafonic, amongst others.

[@johnwilson783]

This horse was phenomenal and I would think he's one of the best there's ever been

[@mabbrey]

1986 was a great year, the derby, the arc, wayward lad v dawn run what a year

[@countbasi4680]

I had the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show on tape for years and the racing segment was amazing like you say.

[@tonysinnott2785]

Brilliant year , the magic of racing , dancing b had a searing turn of foot , and what can you say abt johnjo and dawn run , sheer magic , the mare is beginning to get up , shes made it 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂😂

[@mrringway1733]

It is difficult to say he was the best horse ever because (although I'm predominately a jumps fan) I like so many others and was so pleased that Henry deservedly got the wonderful Frankel. However, as much as I loved Frankel, I have to say that Dancing Brave is the best horse I've seen and I consider him to be unbeaten, in that the dirt race should never have been entered and the horse had a rough time and then in the Derby poor Greville Starkey HAD to ride him to get the trip - closer to the pace that day and he would have won alright! What has to be remembered about the 1986 Arc is the quaility of the opposition. The unbeaten Bering, Sharastani, and the magical Triptych to name but a few were just... brushed aside... at will, by a truly magnificent horse and a cracking jockey.

[@suemaher5282]

Loved your comment

[@countbasi4680]

The fans of the last 20 years who didn't live through that time will never understand the strength in depth then. It was frightening really.

[@darrenmaples3451]

He actually ran in the breeders cup turf not classic

[@genestrachan5040]

How good was Pat Eddery..he knew the horse he was riding and rode to perfection..Legend RIP...

[@Hanamy7777]

Brave too. My favourite jockey growing up.

[@suemaher5282]

Worthy winner fantastic jockey and incredible horse. That's a Pat Eddery masterclass.

[@Mike20216]

Racing Post readers got it right, the greatest race i ever saw, I'm biased Horse and jockey were and still are my favourites.

[@jjsmith4829]

Sea Bird's Derby and Arc were also mighty impressive. If he had raced in the 21st century with superior video technology and its extensive media and social media coverage he would be talked about like no other horse.

[@kurman4749]

Cannot fault your assessment of Sea Bird. His wins in the Epsom Derby and Arc were simply breathtaking and effortless.

[@michaellovell1368]

Sea Bird is still the one for me. He didn't race too often but when he did he was simply staggering. He pulverised one of the best Arc fields of all time. Dancing Brave ?? Also a wonder horse. A Rolls Royce of a horse. And a big shout out for Sea The Stars.

[@johnfaw]

DB is the greatest horse that has ever been born in the greatest race ever run. The sectionals in the Arc are unmatched to this day. Ratings of the first five home are 140, 136, 132, 135 and 134. Such high ratings have been achieved before or since

[@WESSERPARAQUAT]

Extra-Ordinary acceleration , yes!! Amazing horse and as Guy had stated previously that was due to how low of an angle he grabbed the ground at his unusual stride pattern was very different to other horses and that was the key to his greatness the Parrott mouth made no difference , Guy was very lucky to have got him Jeremy Tree had first choice and didn't like him! that is extra ordinary too in retrospect

[@mabbrey]

guy Harwood was always my fave trainer

[@countbasi4680]

This is great but surely the vote and everything warranted a longer edit? Like half an hour even? Could have asked him about his gallops leading up to the race after the Goodwood canter. Guy says he was absolutely spot on on the day of the race. Seems a perfect cue to talk about his homework in the lead up. Where do I apply for this interviewing job lark??

[@Newworldman66]

In prep gallops for the Arc, DB worked with Harwood's best older horses, giving them a stone or more in weight and a start but still went past them.

[@Hanamy7777]

Lovely piece. Nice to see Guy Harwood. I think he's half saying that Pat gave him a heart attack waiting so long.

[@keithblack1336]

Never been a horse born by his mother who would have beat the brave on arc day

[@davemitchell6990]

Best ever IMHO

[@hummerman62]

Just to have been Pat, aboard a living breathing rocket, not much in life is that exhilarating!

[@chrisvassiliou889]

One of the strengths of Pat Eddery was that he always with the horses he rode he knew how much of a horse had beneath him and that gave him the ability to bring Dancing Brave to the fore at the 1 1/2 furlong , magnificent ride magnificent race magnificent horse , but still think Grundy beating Bustino in 1975 was a greater race , why ? run at blistering pace that even the sixth horse home broke the track record

[@pauldonohoe3646]

He didn't seem to know what he had under him with El Gran Senor

[@chrisvassiliou889]

@@pauldonohoe3646 out of 4600 wins , do not let that one race to blind your judgement

[@ahmedalsaaidi3714]

He was an amazing horse.he was versatile,with incredible turn of foot.its difficult to compare him with frankel.the latest was more consistent,DB was vulnerable at times and didnt win as often as frankel.but both of them were magnificent horses.

[@shanecopner7827]

And the greatest arc ever,dancing brave a genius,pat eddery a legend❤❤

[@elgransenor1472]

The greatest race of all time

[@zimmer651]

Never take away the brilliant ride from Pat Eddery. Superb jockey.

[@teenoso4069]

IMHO, Dancing Brave was the best middle distance flat horse I have seen in the best generation of 1986, but as for the best horse race, it was one defined by a loser...1973 Grand National. Honourable mention - the 1984 Whitbread wasnt shabby

[@londonlady4521]

Yes indeed, Dancing Brave was the best middle distance horse that I have ever seen, and as you say from a vintage year. I remember watching the 1973 Grand National as a 10 year old willing with all my heart for Crisp to hang on and win. Red Rum broke my heart that afternoon! But if Crisp had to be beaten on that day then there was no finer horse than Red Rum to do it, and without Crisp the track record never would have been broken.

[@genestrachan5040]

The greatest race ever..no less than ten group one winners and Dancing Brave won pulling up..the jockey Pat Eddery rode an immaculate race..perfect timed ride..easily the greatest jockeys ever..Piggot a distant second...

[@michaeldowd5545]

They were 10 very good G1 winners. Probably all better then the the ordinary we are loaded with this year.

[@carlobalzer3238]

Brilliant 🐎 world class jockey

[@gordonwilliams6942]

I'm by no means a horse racing fan and hardly ever watch it, but for me Dancing Brave stands out . The acceleration to go to the front was incredible. The only horse that has ever captured my imagination. Only disappointment was coming 2nd in the Derby, and i think that was mistiming the run in.

[@mickydroyboy1542]

Mistiming the run lmao ..greville starkey gave that the worst ride I’ve ever seen

[@totallybonkers2447]

Still gutted over being 2nd in the derby , backed him at 10/1 ante post plus in a double 😡

[@pauldrohan322]

Can’t we forget about the betting for once?

[@GenghisCohen257]

As someone who doesn't know what D Brave looked like, I had to wait till the end of the race to know who to look for.

[@WESSERPARAQUAT]

The Brave could have won the July Cup in 86' if he had been aimed at it the distance really made no difference at all with him

[@michaeldowd5545]

Rb was great because the opposition was amazing. I think Frankie was better at 4, but Flightline and Frankie never had opposition like this. This field was loaded

[@rockybudgeboa]

Great horse but sorry, Red Rum winning the Grand National was my fave

[@davidfoster2006]

That a handicap.

[@kurman4749]

Dancing Brave was a brilliant racehorse, but I would say Sea Bird's Arc win was better.

[@jimmysharkey1665]

Jockey and horse in perpetual motion 🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎

[@ajvindiesel8517]

Gotta put him 2nd to Sea The Stars. In addition as a sire there's no comparison.

[@mallafets]

DB would of picked off STS no problem. DBs Arc sectionals are simply way above all other winners. The last 600m 2 secs quicker than STS and his finishing speed 110.6 to 106.3.

[@ajvindiesel8517]

@@mallafets I wouldn't argue against that. I would argue all Frankel followers as Frankel's ability will always be subjective as he didn't beat anything and never travelled overseas and never raced the 12f

[@mikedavies9953]

@@mallafets I believe DB still holds the record for the last furlong at Epsom

[@mallafets]

@@mikedavies9953 not sure. Was 10.2 or 10.8 from memory.

[@andrewduggan1018]

The brave the best flat. Horse ever

[@TrisWood]

Why wasn't Starkey riding?..... Oh yeah.

[@csb7376]

He wasn't riding, because after winning the Eclipse on DB AFTER The Derby, he got injured and couldn't ride in The King George. Eddery only replaced him because he was injured, but won and kept the ride. So many people think he was jocked off after the Derby, which just isn't true.

[@frankschlanker]

@@csb7376 Greville also rode Dancing Brave to win The Select Stakes at Goodwood his Arc prep race. So Pat was only on him thrice King George, Arc and Breeders Cup

[@andrewgoldie1970]

Not expecting anyone to agree with this, but I thought his Eclipse was even more impressive - he was under pressure to deliver after the Derby and it's not always an easy race to get right. He destroyed a good field there, and whilst I agree this is better quality, everything here was teed up for a 10f horse - good pace, lots of effort from those in front of him, it was all there for him to pick them off. I'm not saying it was that easy, but the race couldn't have been run better to suit him - and there have been plenty of bad-luck stories in the Arc where the best horse didn't win. It helped that Eddery is the sort of jockey who is impervious to criticism so rode his own race (Starkey a bit more sensitive to that sort of thing, even though I still feel Eddery wouldn't have won on him at Epsom either! the pace was unusually slow) Great to see Guy Harwood in good form.

[@mallafets]

Pat would have won on him at Epsom, Starkey would have 99/100, he just rode that 1. Starkey rode a poor race in the Eclipse, he let Triptych box him in 2 out but luckily the DB turbo got him out and away.

[@frankmcnally01]

Nonsense, Grubdy and Bustino in the King George was the best I've ever seen

[@richardbagshaw4534]

Ridiculous Frank

[@genestrachan5040]

Pat Eddery is easily the greatest rider ever..period

[@mrk24107]

Peintre Celebre was equally as impressive..

[@mallafets]

Sectionals for PC fall quite a bit behind DB sectionals.

[@mrk24107]

@@mallafets If time is your yardstick, I'll have to throw in Trempolino as well... Dancing Brave was brilliant that day, and his Arc was the best Arc spectacle of them all imo, but Peintre Celebre was equally as impressive.

[@Bloons-er3xl]

Not secratariat? 😂

[@michaeldowd5545]

Secretariat beat chumps. This was a real horse race with the top 7 easily beatings horses like Enable.

[@charlescooke8786]

You have the right jockey but the wrong horse race. The greatest is the King George won by Grundy beating Bustino in a war of attrition. The third place finisher, Dahlia, had won the previous year's race in record time. She finished third beaten 5 lengths and even then eclipsed her own course record. Star Appeal, which finished fourth went on to win the Arc later that year. Other also fans in that race such as On My Way went on to frank the form. Bustino never ran again, Grundy one more time but failed miserably beaten by much inferior horses. That race took everything from those two great horses. There is no question that that was the greatest race ever. You can look it up.

[@londonlady4521]

Grundy was a fabulous horse. However, not in the same league as Dancing Brave who won 3 Group one races over different distances - the 2000 Guineas, the Eclipse, and the King George VI therefore a mile, a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half, beating older horses in the latter two races and of course his fourth Group one the Arc. Grundy's racing record cannot match that.

[@countbasi4680]

Tell the thousands of Racing Post readers who voted. I'm sure they'll all agree with you.

[@petefisher9157]

Didn't look anything super special really....

[@StephenSmall-sf5um]

Wouldn't of even beat trempolino who had a better turn of foot and would not of got within 3 lenghs of pentire celebre

[@selfemployedmortgagehub]

Well, everyone's entitled to an opinion I suppose. But to say Trempolino had a better turn of foot is laughable frankly. DB ran sub 11 second furlongs at the end of both the Derby and Arc. His sectionals were sensational, to suggest Trempolino would somehow outkick him is absurd. Pentire celebre was a great horse, but again there's no statistical evidence I'm aware of to suggest he would have outsprinted DB.

[@StephenSmall-sf5um]

@@selfemployedmortgagehub celebre is the only horse that kicked twice watch his arc it's up their with the greatest