When Desert Orchid won the Gold Cup in 1989

It is a radio commentary

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p074j720


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Many years ago, I worked for Barry Hills and worked with Dessie’s lovely stable lass who looked after him. She ended up getting injured after a few months while I was there and passed on a tough filly called Fair Princess too me to look after at the time. The good ol days 😎👊

Here u go Mac

One of the greatest finished ever heart of a lion

I remember this fondly as my “biggest bet“ at the time

I told all my fellow Engineering Appies to back and well all listened on Radio at Telford college and cheered home.

Think I had the equivalent to a months wages on 😎

Happy days

Shortly after Desert Orchid's retirement I had occasion to visit one Mr Jack Green on business. After we had concluded whatever it was I was there for we set back and enjoyed some tea together. He was aware that I had recently purchased 3 yearlings as he was an enthusiastic recegoer; so we spent some time discussing their pedigrees and prospects.

During the course of our conversation he asked me whether I had the time and interest to watch a video he had just been sent by a family member from England.

It turned out to be about the career of Desert Orchid.

I knew less than nothing about jump racing at the time. My only exposure was the annual broadcast of the Grand National. Even a great international event like Cheltenham had never found its way into my consciousness.

Unbeknown to me at the time it signalled the beginning of the end of my exclusive love of flat racing. In the years that followed I slowly found myself drawn ever more to the jumps and away from the flat. Looking back on it I realise why :

1.) Jump racing has managed to remain far more inclusive.
2.) I actually like races that are not over in 60 seconds!
3.) Tactics and courage are displayed on almost every occasion.
4.) The 'back story' relationships between horses and owners run far deeper than the flat equivalents.
5.) The sport has never been hijacked by industrial strength owners.

In 2005 I made a pilgrimage to the Cheltenham Festival - The July and Met rolled into one over four days and multiplied by about 20. Of particular interest to me was my experience of the people who attended. I had never before attended a big race meeting where the focus on the 'matter in hand' was so intense. There is absolutely no space at Cheltenham for social butterflies, fashionista and their ilk.

At that meeting Desert Orchid was - to my utter delight - paraded infront of the stands before the Gold Cup. He got the reception that he had earned from a crowd wholly enraptured by jump racing and its heroes.

On similar subject to you ever see McCoy win on Wichita lineman, i had a punt and thought had lost the dosh early in race.

Still have mixed feelings when I watch Desert Orchid winning the Gold Cup - had had a big bet on Yahoo at 25/1!

Dave Scott wrote: On similar subject to you ever see McCoy win on Wichita lineman, i had a punt and thought had lost the dosh early in race.

The link doesn’t work


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I have it listed under my Youtube favourites and rate it as possibly McCoys best ever ride,