The great Arkle is majestic in the 1965 King George VI Chase - Racing TV

[@pearlyman8790]

Great video should show more of the races from years ago that the younger generation didn’t get a chance to see!

[@paulconway7186]

Still the greatest thoroughbred that has ever lived.

[@7417cd]

Haven't seen the race since I was a child. It was the first race meeting I ever went to. RIP Dunkirk. The greatest 2 mile chaser ever, apart from the incomparable Flyingbolt

[@greg434]

Flying Bolts Massey win in 65 at Cheltenhams waterlogged course carrying 12-6 was something else - never see that again destroyed the field in mind blowing ground ..

[@chrisstorey4197]

This is the first time I've seen the full race since I watched it with my dad and grandad as a seven year old boy. They said afterwards that Dunkirk had a heart attack and was dead before he hit the fence. Here it looks like an exhausted horse taking a murderous fall. Dunkirk was a great horse, and some called Arkle a killer after this race; a machine which normal horses couldn't race against. Dormant was a top handicapper, capable of going off at top weight in major handicaps, but getting weight here, and beaten a furlong. You couldn't win a Gold Cup just beating or being beaten by good handicappers at level weights in Arkle's day.

[@gjpowell]

Arkle was a legendary horse, but the way Dunkirk was slowing up overwhelmingly suggests the vet was spot on.

[@russamehta]

What an amazing horse he was

[@gregornicholson1362]

Check out the 1965 Gallagher Gold Cup vid for that course record at Sandown carrying 12-7 and just cruising to victory. "A stroll in the park" said O'Sullivan. Indeed. Prob at his peak then. Looked like he could have gone round again. Entirely incomparable with anything since.

[@beverleymorris167]

That Gallagher gold cup was the greatest performance by a chaser.... EVER!!! Nothing has done anything remotely near that standard. David Nicholson who rode mill House, said years after.. "Arkle was a phenomenon" That was the race that gave him the fabulous 212 rating.

[@greg434]

​@@beverleymorris167 Bev how about Flying Bolts 65 Massey Ferguson win at Cheltenhams waterlogged course carrying 12-6.. Awesome performance in unbelievable ground..

[@beverleymorris167]

​@@greg434 👍👍one of the greatest performances in national hunt history 👍👍

[@greg434]

@@beverleymorris167 The clerk of the course would have got arrested today for that ground ! 😂.. Travelling through it with 12-6 unreal ..

[@kurman4749]

Peter O'Sullevan was the greatest horse racing commentator there has ever been, there's no doubt about that. But sadly this commentary wasn't up to his usual high standard due to the fact that he was quite elderly and it was made many years after the original ITV commentary of Tony Cooke, which was much better than Peter's commentary of the race.

[@pauldonohoe3646]

A total freak of an animal.

[@nickmorrow5216]

Himself ...the best ..by a country mile ...then n now ...

[@jdcahill1926]

Himself treating the fences like matchsticks

[@noemiangeles9452]

¡Esta es una carrera de época pasada, desde hace años existen y se efectúan magníficas carreras con obstáculos! 👍👍😁😁

[@alipitogen]

Ten years after this , a horse stormed clear from the outset of the King George, just in the manner of Dunkirk, and won by a street. That horse was the great Captain Christy, who pulverised a quality field which included Bula. It was the Captain's second successive victory in the race, the previous year he had easily beaten the mighty Pendil. It was nothing but awesome to watch that 1975 performance of Captain Christy, whom I have always regarded, when on one of his good days, as the only steeplechaser, apart from Mill House, who was possibly in Arkle's league. I have always asked , therefore , the infuriatingly hypothetical question: Where woud Arkle have finished if he had come up against an in form Captain Christy in a King George? I have just for the first ever time watched this 1965 race with even more awe at the ease with which Arkle closed that gap, and I am now asking a new question: Has my old question been answered? Yes of course it has , i seem to think, looking at this race, Arkle would surely have caught even Captain Christy. I think this race tells us that, but I still cannot be sure.

[@beverleymorris167]

Captain Christy failed to do what Arkle, millhouse,dessi.etc To win Whitbread off top weight So he is a rung down the ladder I'm afraid in terms of greatness. In the king George in modern day level weight, ( though Arkle gave weight in his k George) Arkle , would be too much.

[@roberttanner7278]

Arkle and desert orchid both won the Irish grand national. What about flying bolt.

[@greg434]

@@roberttanner7278 Won the Irish national by two lengths carrying 12-7... Giving the 2nd and 3rd 40 & 42 pounds .. In old money 2 stone 12 pounds & 3 stone .. Some performance that....

[@roberttanner7278]

​@@greg434 Did flying bolt not win the Irish grand national

[@greg434]

@@roberttanner7278 Rob - I was referring to Flying Bolt... That's what he carried when he won the Irish national....12-7 giving 2 stone 12lbs and 3 stone to the 2nd and 3rd...

[@alipitogen]

I think Arkle would also have beaten Dunkirk over 2 miles. This was a masterful ride by Pat Taaffe, unless he himself thought he got to him too soon. He would certainly have got to him sooner over two miles, and of course not have let him get so far ahead. Indeed Arkle could have easily won from the front over 2. All opinion I know but I would be fairly confident about that result. It is Arkle I'm talking about, after all.

[@befairish]

Thanks++ for posting this; first time I've seen it since that actual day! Amazed that the footage remains. Himself was the GOAT. BTW it would be great to see Pendil and Captain Christy's races

[@thomaslogue7773]

Ankle set the standard that has never been attained by any other steeplechaser

[@PeterMc141]

Ankle?

[@thomaslogue7773]

@@PeterMc141 predicted txt I can spell

[@Mike20216]

The greatest

[@babaza1972]

The best ever. That was an horrific fall, poor Dunkirk 😢

[@madmandy86]

They didn’t give a fuck about Dunkirk!!!! Didn’t even give him a mention after he fell some champion race that was NOT

[@suemaher5282]

@@madmandy86 Didnt see u commenting on the 2 that died at Haydock saturday. Both shown. Joke half the races we see have 4 horses in them here but u think Arkle was no gd.

[@dognowork]

Modern day diets, training,smaller fences,lighter weights,jockey fitness,legitimate medications…..give me a break. This magnificent animal would not have broken a sweat hacking up against todays top chasers.

[@nickmorrow5216]

agreed..streets ahead ...then n now

[@Nivekthewatcher.6372]

The weights he carried were just ridiculous nearly every race giving 35-40lb

[@keithf_]

Absolutely appalling camera work. The great Peter O'Sullevan was desperately trying to tell the camera director that they were focussing on the chasing pack rather than the clear leader.

[@alipitogen]

Incredible to see this for the first time, it being ta race that I grew up hearing about. The sad fate of Dunkirk was a tragedy and nothing else. I can at last dismiss this story about Arkle killing other horses. Possibly Dunkirk thought he was still alone and Arkle arriving at his withers distracted him just at the point of take-off, but whether that was so or not nothing else could I say except that Arkle's innocence doesn't make me any less sad about Dunkirk's fate.

[@fawltyoldboybasil.2178]

It strikes me that the trainer of Dunkirk was taking a gamble putting the Champion 2 Mile Chaser into this race, regardless of the opposition. I stand to be corrected here but, I believe that the longest distance that Dunkirk had run over was 2.5 miles in a race he lost at Sandown Park. He certainly ran this KG like it was a Champion Chase . It was obvious that Arkle had him beaten when they had just passed the 2 mile mark. That was a terrible fall.

[@chrisstorey4197]

Arkle was the first of Nearco's grandchildren to win a championship race. Two months before Northern Dancer won the Kentucky Derby. Arkle's fellow grandchildren of Nearco, Royal Palace, Sir Ivor and Nijinsky all won the Derby within a few years, all massively better than their contemporaries. Arkle's useless father Archive was by Nearco and the filly Book Law, who won the St Leger. His dam's side were known for their jumping ability, speed and will to win. He wasn't a freak. No-one knew at the time Nearco would found a royal family that would include Triple Crown winners from Nijinsky through Galileo to American Pharoah. But because his father Archive was a racecourse flop, all of those classic-winning genes ended up in an Irish steeplechaser.

[@beverleymorris167]

👍👍👍👍👍..true amazing bloodline.

[@greg434]

Not forgetting Saddlers Wells Chris - what a stallion he was ....

[@roberto4001000]

Anyone know the winning time ?

[@NickOToole-jb6dm]

If GOD were a horse he would be ARKLE

[@stuartbedford6344]

Dont talk nosence saying he wouldn't be a champion today dont tmake a comment if you dont no the facts

[@ThefightingCelt]

Fantastic find but poor camera work . The director probably instructed the cameraman to focus on the equine superstar , Arkle , thinking that's what the viewing audience was most interested in ; but to bluntly disregard Dunkirk , who was a distance clear over the first circuit , was just shoddy . The result , however , was never in doubt the minute they set off .

[@alipitogen]

Intriguing to see some more comments below from racing's Flat Earth Society.

[@stuartbedford6344]

Saying he would have a chance against modern day 3 mile horse no nothing about racing end of greatest ever simple

[@suemaher5282]

Imagine if he was trained as they r today he would have been even better. The best horse to ever set foot on a racecourse over jumps. With Red Rum both freaks of nature and brilliant

[@beverleymorris167]

@@suemaher5282 It was a type of handicap in the 1960,s Arkle was giving weight all round. Poor Dunkirk yes, he was tiring. No sadder than horses killed in racing today. Nothing has come near to Arkles level since.

[@suemaher5282]

@@beverleymorris167 I dont think there will ever be another like him Beverley. People compare him to today's horses which he or his stablemate Flyingbolt would have no trouble beating. The weight Arkle had to carry and he still left them behind. Have a great Xmas Beverley

[@beverleymorris167]

@@suemaher5282 👍you too.

[@kurman4749]

Name any horse of the past 30 years that could concede 3 stone to another top class chaser and beat him? Do you think Kauto Star could concede that sort of weight differential to Denman or Desert Orchid? Arkle was unique, a one-off. Horses like Arkle are freaks of nature and don't come along very often.

[@insight547]

Wonderful Arkle but poor editorial judgment showing Dunkirk’s fatal fall

[@salsabil44]

A bit bloody difficult not to show it considering the first and second were together jumping the fence at the time! Or do you think the replays on youtube should be sanitised too? You must be one of those people who think we need to whitewash horse racing so the public never see the reality of what really goes on lest they form the impression that the sport is not so ´great´.

[@suemaher5282]

What a horse the best we have seen. I am a huge Kauto Star fan he wouldnt have beaten this fella. The great Peter O'Sullivan commentating. Arkle was some horse

[@darrensmith4279]

Gordon bury....???????

[@beverleymorris167]

@@suemaher5282 👍👍👍👍

[@MultiArkle]

The race I would love to see is Flying Wild winning the Massy Ferguson Gold Cup. 1. Flying Wild 2. Buona Notte 3. Arkle. The second slipped jumping the last or would have won easily. Potentially he was the best horse ever to take Arkle on but was unfortunately killed in his very next race at Doncaster

[@beverleymorris167]

Would love to see full race .. Buona notte actually beat Dunkirk in Henry v111 chase. Very good horse....just shows how good Arkle was, just pipped over shorter than ideal distance, just a week after destroying mill House in the Hennessy. Giving most of em 35lb.

[@beverleymorris167]

I think he carried 12-10!! And gave buona notte nearly 2 stone, I remember him fighting all the way to the line ... phenomenal horse.

[@dp7906]

I remember this very sad race since one of the greatest 2 mile chasers of all time Dunkirk tragically died. I think that Dunkirk may have only been entered to give a challenge to Arkle. Arkle was obviously a terrific chaser over 3 miles, whether he was the best chaser ever can never be proven, but at his best definitely up there . I don't think this race proved anything though as after being massively outpaced by Dunkirk who clearly would have beaten Arkle over any 2 mile race at that time. Arkle only came on terms as Dunkirk faltered badly shortly before his fatal fall. It was also noticeable how tired Arkle was near the finish the last couple of jumps were very laboured. One post mentioned this being a handicap, to my recollection it was never a handicap & they were on level weights then. Shame there seem to be no other videos now of Dunkirk showing how good he was at his best distance.

[@roberto4001000]

Of course it can be proven ,what are you talking about 😂😂Arkle is undoubtedly the greates ever and the evidence is there to prove it .....are you new to racing son ?

[@roberto4001000]

And it was a handicap back then , you need to do more research before you make silly comments .

[@beverleymorris167]

Tired??? What race you watching? He never came off bridle...and he gave em weight

[@beverleymorris167]

I think 2 or three mile Arkle would have beaten him. Buonna notte beat Dunkirk as novices, Arkle only just got pipped by him in massey Ferguson giving Approx 2 stone. Arkle had loads of speed, the didn't have time for 2 mile chases. He was busy giving top class horses 35lb in races like the Whitbread, and Hennessy. That's what made him great!!!

[@beverleymorris167]

Laboured my arse hole....have you a white stick?

[@michaelmoran9399]

I can understand that Arkle was a great steeplechaser but can't believe he would have been so dominant against modern day three milers.

[@Zarkava8]

We will never know but Timeform's rating of Arkle (212) is far superior to any modern day national hunt horse that it's reasonable to say that he's the best we've ever seen and unlikely to see again.

[@michaeldowd5545]

Check out his track record at Sandown. No horse has got close. 20 Lb better than any horse except Flyingbolt.

[@andrewdunne1735]

Different times,horses have all sorts of modern technology to assist them , Arkle went for a walk and drank a few bottles of Guiness,that was his regime, we'll never see his likes again I'd say!

[@suemaher5282]

@@andrewdunne1735 just watching this race and seeing the ground he made up was unbelievable. Every now and again I only can think of 2. Arkle and Red Rum. They were freaks of nature. Sure Best Mate got 3 Gold cups but he didnt take on the horses Arkle did. U r always going to get people saying he wouldnt have done it now but if u really know your racing there is no way he would be beaten today. If he had bee an English horse we wouldnt have the doubters . Us English can be such doubters shows alot of people are just jealous. U cannot deny the horse was extraordinary. When I go to Cheltenham the irish always say to me Kauto Star what a horse he was.Some of our british racegoers baffle me. ARKLE was and always will be the best we have seen.

[@paulheywood0309]

Watch what he done to good horses in the 1965 hennessey gold Cup he gave them all 32 lb he would smash the modern day steeplechasers most trainers and owners did not want to enter there horses against him they new the outcome .handicap system had to be changed because of what he did .greatest ever

[@stuartbedford6344]

Don't talk nonsense get your facts right before opening your mouth about he wouldn't have a change against modern horses don't make me laugh

[@kurman4749]

Sadly, Stuart, some people have spaghetti for brains, but they are entitled to their pathetic opinions, I suppose.

[@MultiArkle]

Hardly a Majestic performance. Poor old Dunkirk died in the race and to be fair he was so fast over 2 miles he wouldn't have got 3 miles in a horsebox. Back then the race was a handicap and weight could never have brought Dormant and Arkle together. Just another non event for Arkle to stroll round and pick up some easy prize money.

[@roberto4001000]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpLQnKWneKaYndU Was this another non event , carrying 12 7 knocking 17 seconds off the track record which still stands today whilst beating a gold cup winner in millhouse the highest rated British chaser of all time giving him 16lbs , all facts sonny Jim ....the greatest there will ever be FACT . 😉

[@abbyanderson4171]

Arkle was undoubtedly a great horse but he was competing in very small fields and against the same horses that were two stones inferior to him..

[@beverleymorris167]

That's why he was great!.... But try 3- 4 stones Better.

[@ThefightingCelt]

Other trainers simply refused to take Arkle on as they thought it pointless , hence the small fields .

[@madmandy86]

No opposition not even a race and that doesn’t make Arkle a champion no sir!!! Sorry not sorry but Arkle wouldn’t be a “champion” nowadays

[@steveevans3718]

Behave

[@roberto4001000]

Rewriting the handicap system makes you a champion that's what the brilliant Arkle did , the most tested horse ever and he passed them all with flying colours, you don't know what you're talking about 🤡

[@suemaher5282]

The reason the field was small is because every trainer was scared of running against him. Arkle will always be the best. He still holds the record for sandown. Where is the modern thoroughbred they haven't come close so far. If he was trained as today he would have beaten them further.

[@roberto4001000]

@@suemaher5282 Sue you gotta stop this , you're talking way too much sense 😉

[@suemaher5282]

@@roberto4001000all true Fish himself was the best there has ever been.