On Boxing Day (26 December), we will be treated to the sight of some of the greatest National Hunt horses currently in training in the UK going head-to-head in the King George VI Chase, a horse race that has become synonymous with Boxing Day.

Here are 13 things you need to know about this great race…

1. The King George VI Chase first ran in 1937 and was named after the newly crowned king.

2. The first race was won by Southern Hero who, to-date, remains the oldest winner of the race at 12 years old.

3. It is held during the Christmas Festival at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey.

4. The race is over a distance of three miles and consists of 18 chase fences.

5. It was only run twice before World War II, during which Kempton Park was closed for racing and used as a prisoner-of-war camp.

6. The most successful horse to run in the King George VI is Kauto Star (pictured top alongside Long Run), who won it a remarkable five times (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011).

7. The leading jockey of the King George VI Chase is Ruby Walsh, who won it five times — all aboard Kauto Star.

8. The leading trainer over the race’s history is Paul Nicholls — See More Business (1997, 1999), Kauto Star (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011), Silviniaco Conti (2013, 2014), Clan Des Obeaux (2018, 2019) and Bravemansgame (2022).

9. The great grey, Desert Orchid won the race four times before bowing out in the 1991 race. He attended Kempton Park to parade every Boxing Day until his death in 2006, aged 27.

10. It is a Grade One race and this year offers £148,098 in prize money to the winner.

11. The race will be shown live on ITV and RacingTV at 2.30pm.

12. The current betting market for the 2024 running of the race has Spillane’s Tower, who is trained by Irish trainer James Joseph Mangan, as the favourite, in what is a top class line-up for this season’s renewal.

Who are the runners in the 2024 race?

Let’s take a look at this year‘s runners and riders, plus their odds, so that if you fancy it, you can have a flutter.

These runners and riders, plus the odds, are correct as of 23 December. Odds may vary depending on your bookmaker.

Horse: Spillane’s Tower | Jockey: Mark Walsh

Trainer: James Joseph Mangan | Odds: 7/2

Horse: Grey Dawning | Jockey: Harry Skelton

Trainer: Dan Skelton | Odds: 5/1

Horse: Il Est Francais | Jockey: James Reveley 

Trainer: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm | Odds: 5/1

Horse: Banbridge | Jockey: TBC 

Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien | Odds: 6/1

Horse: Corbetts Cross | Jockey: Mr Derek O’Connor 

Trainer: Emmet Mullins | Odds: 12/1

Horse: L’Homme Presse | Jockey: Charlie Deutsch

Trainer: Venetia Williams | Odds: 12/1

Horse: Envoi Allen | Jockey: Rachael Blackmore 

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead | Odds: 16/1

Horse: Bravemansgame | Jockey: Harry Cobden 

Trainer: Paul Nicholls | Odds: 20/1

Horse: Juntos Gananmos | Jockey: Felix De Giles 

Trainer: D Cottin | Odds: 22/1

Horse: The Real Whacker | Jockey: Gavin Sheehan 

Trainer: Patrick Neville | Odds: 33/1

Horse: General En Chef | Jockey: Benjamin Gelhay 

Trainer: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm | Odds: 100/1

How do I place a bet on the King George VI Chase?

Follow our complete guide on how best to bet to find out more.

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A swashbuckling grey with an unquenchable zest for racing, Desert Orchid lit up the National Hunt scene during the 1980s with his showboating charisma, says Julian Muscat, as we celebrate Horse & Hound’s 140th anniversary in 2024

It started as it would end eight years later, with Desert Orchid lying prostrate on the Kempton turf after a crashing fall.

On his 70th and final outing the popular grey fell heavily in the 1991 King George VI Chase. The nation held its breath until Desert Orchid rose quickly, unhurt and was ushered straight into retirement. But that fall on his racecourse debut was something else entirely. He’d run himself legless when he barely got airborne at the final flight. Then he lay down for what seemed like an eternity.

“At that time his enthusiasm outweighed his technique and his experience,” relates Desert Orchid’s trainer, David Elsworth, in his soft, West Country lilt. “When he turned over, it looked serious.”

The tell-tale green screens hoisted around him seemed to tell their own story.

“When I saw the screens, I started walking towards where he was lying,” Elsworth continues, “and when I was 50 yards away, the bugger suddenly got up. Turned out he was only winded, but what a tragedy that would have been. Nobody would have heard of him.”

That near-calamity on his debut was emblematic of Desert Orchid’s early years. He was headstrong and impulsive at home, and it nearly cost him dearly. Yet under Elsworth’s intuitive eye and exercise rider Rodney Boult’s supple hands, he would evolve into the most charismatic racehorse of the 20th century. The public adored him. At its height Dessie-mania was just as impassioned as Beatle-mania.

And no wonder. After a winless first season when he ran four times, Desert Orchid blossomed in 1983/84. A winning streak of six included the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown. On that day he toyed with Ihaventalight, who was the apple of multiple champion trainer Fred Winter’s eye.

“Funnily enough I bumped into Fred in the gents’ afterwards,” Elsworth says. “He looked at me over his glasses with those beady eyes and said: ‘That horse of yours is good, isn’t it?’ I told him it was.

“Then he rang me at home a few days later. All he said was: ‘How much?’ and I replied: ‘Fred, I’m afraid he’s not for sale.’ Those were the only words we exchanged. He didn’t need to tell me which horse he wanted to buy, just as I didn’t need to ask him.

“So there you are: Fred was on to Dessie already,” Elsworth continues. “He was a hard, competitive, mean-looking so-and-so, and a great judge. I liked him.”

Two months later Desert Orchid started second favourite for the Champion Hurdle but finished well down the field behind Dawn Run.

“We were bitterly disappointed because at the time we had no idea how ineffective he was going left-handed,” Elsworth recalls.

It was a trait that stayed with Dessie, who was owned by the Burridge family, throughout his career. There was no telling why he wasn’t as good when racing around left-handed turns. “It’s like a ship: you can have the best sails but you go nowhere unless you have the wind behind you,” Elsworth says.

Nevertheless, Desert Orchid’s front-running style, along with his near-white coat, already marked him down as something out of the ordinary. He had a largely unproductive third season before Elsworth announced he would be campaigned over fences during the 1985/86 campaign.

“I kept being told the horse wanted two miles over hurdles on fast ground,” the trainer reflects. “I begged to differ. I felt he was always in too much of a hurry over hurdles, which is why he had a few falls. Anyway, he racked up another sequence over fences and then I stepped him up to three miles for the 1986 King George. Everybody thought I’d finally gone mad.”

That King George triumph on Boxing Day saw Desert Orchid sear his image into the nation’s soul. Elsworth had another runner in Combs Ditch, who had finished runner-up in the previous two renewals. His stable jockey, Colin Brown, plumped for Combs Ditch, so Simon Sherwood was summoned.

“I didn’t know too much about Desert Orchid at that stage,” Sherwood says. “I knew he was a firebrand type who liked to lead and jump extravagantly. Other than that, I had no take on the race whatsoever. David told me to ride him as though he would stay, and said he was more likely to switch off if I let him do his own thing.”

Sherwood never saw another horse. Galloping with zest and flying his fences, Desert Orchid built up a clear lead by halfway and was never threatened.

“The horse got into a lovely rhythm,” the jockey recalls. “I’m sure the others ignored me, thinking I was riding a head-banger, but when I turned for home I was still on a full tank.”

Dessie won by 15 lengths and the legend was born. The swashbuckling grey who tore off at breakneck speed had somehow stretched himself out over three miles. He could now take in any race his connections chose. Two miles or three, fast ground or testing: it made no difference to the horse, whose public fan club was growing apace.

Desert Orchid would become a standing dish at Kempton over Christmas, where he won four King Georges in five years. He was runner-up in 1987, when Brown, reunited with Dessie, went too fast early on and was picked off in the straight.

It was the second of five successive reverses for Dessie with Brown in the saddle, and when Brown retired soon after partnering the horse into second place in the 1988 Champion Chase at Cheltenham, Sherwood resumed a partnership that never looked back.

Some things are just meant to be. As with Frankel’s debt to Sir Henry Cecil, Desert Orchid might never have flourished had he been entrusted to the wrong hands. But David Elsworth’s ambitious yearning matched that of his grey crusader. He was every bit as indomitable as the horse he trained.

The key was that for all Dessie’s natural flamboyance, for all the skittishness of his formative years, he was a horse who thrived on hard graft.

Elsworth almost winces when he remembers how he kept Desert Orchid at concert pitch at his Whitsbury stables, in Hampshire.

“If he was running on a Saturday, I’d send him over 1½ miles on the round gallop, which finished uphill,” he says. “Dessie would tank up that hill, always on the bridle but full of it.

“He probably would have won without me putting him through that, but it made me feel better when he did it. And he could certainly take it. Most trainers wouldn’t dream of doing that three days before a race. Maybe with a Flat horse over seven furlongs, but not a three-mile chaser.”

For all that, one of Desert Orchid’s endearing qualities was his longevity. He won 34 races from 70 starts. Indeed, Desert Orchid made as many starts as Denman, Sprinter Sacre and Best Mate put together.

The horse thrived on competition, and Elsworth made sure he saw plenty of it.

“He usually ran six or seven times each season,” he says. “It wasn’t planned that way, it was just that those of us working with him knew he could do it.”

There was another reason for Desert Orchid’s regular racecourse sightings. Elsworth grew up the hard way: an illegitimate child who spent much of his youth catching rabbits with his dogs on Salisbury Plain and selling them in local markets. He rode a bit under Rules until he felt compelled to turn his hand to training. He was determined to show the jumping fraternity he could outdo them all. He wasn’t afraid of saying so, either.

His prowess with horses was sublime. In 1989, having saddled Dessie to win the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March, David followed up in June with a Royal Ascot double – thanks to Indian Ridge, a seasoned sprinter, and Dead Certain, a precocious two-year-old filly. He had every right to shout from the rooftops.

“To be honest – and for all my faults, I am honest – I ran Dessie most Saturdays because I wanted to make as much money as I could,” he says with typical candour. “I certainly wasn’t abusing him; every time he ran I thought he could win. And he retired sound after 70 races, way more than most chasers run these days.”

Dessie was also one of the last top-class chasers to make regular forays into handicaps.

“That’s what made him unique,” Sherwood says. “He carried 11st 11lbs in the 1988 Whitbread and he won with a stone in hand over three miles five furlongs.”

This was Desert Orchid in his prime. His popularity reached new heights during the 1988/89 season, when he won the Tingle Creek Chase, then a handicap over two miles, with 12st on his back. He then routed old foe Kildimo to win his second King George over three miles.

“David then sent him back over two miles for the Victor Chandler Chase,” Sherwood remembers. “He carried 12 stone and beat Panto Prince [the winner of 15 races in his career] in a photo when giving him 22lbs. That was a proper scrap. It was all happening a bit too quickly for him but he still found a way.”

So imperious had Desert Orchid become that Sherwood admits to having showboated aboard a horse who was also inclined to indulge increasingly devoted galleries on the racecourse.

“In the 1989 Gainsborough Chase I remember people saying he would meet his match in Pegwell Bay, who was seen as the next big thing,” Sherwood relates. “Dessie was giving him lumps of weight [18lbs] and Carl Llewellyn [aboard Pegwell Bay] came up to head me at halfway.

“Carl was chuckling, thinking he had me in trouble, but I was just toying with him. You could do that with Dessie, because he could make you feel invincible. So I moved back up to Carl at the second-last and said: ‘Is that all you’ve got?’ before we went away again.”

The 1988 Whitbread was another instance. “We played with runner-up Kildimo that day,” Sherwood says. “He was one of the best chasers around and we treated him like a beginner.”

As for Dessie, he loved running at Sandown, where the buzzy grandstands are close to the track.

“He was a sod to get down to the start there,” Sherwood says. “He’d cock his head towards the crowd and there was nothing you could do about it. He had an empathy with his following. He was a real showman with tremendous charisma. I suppose another reason why the crowds loved him was because he was a rags-to-riches horse, having been bred to run in point-to-points.”

For all the drama he generated, and despite his litany of achievements – including winning the 1990 Irish Grand National with 12 stone on his back – Desert Orchid reached his zenith in the 1989 Gold Cup at Cheltenham. He’d run at five previous Festivals without success, and he was now 10 years old. Victory in the blue riband would gild an outstanding career.

“What a day that was,” Sherwood says with a sigh. “The weather was filthy and conditions took their toll on some of the fancied horses. It came down to guts in the end, and in those circumstances you could count on Dessie to come out on top.”

Dessie duly did, although he looked beaten when Tom Morgan aboard Yahoo headed him on the run to the final fence. But as Yahoo started to idle in front, Sherwood galvanised Desert Orchid for one last lunge. As Dawn Run had done to Wayward Lad in 1986, Dessie ground Yahoo down after the last and the grandstands erupted.

“I remember I had my private moment with him before we headed towards the winner’s enclosure,” Sherwood recalls. “As we walked back through the paddock a surge of people ran towards us.

“In those moments you pick out a few faces in the crowd: I saw the woman I would marry and the Queen Mother, who had a beaming smile on her face. Then they gave us ‘three cheers’. I’d seen Jonjo O’Neill and Dawn Run do it three years earlier, when the reception was incredible, and here I was on this amazing horse.”

There would be other top-flight victories. Richard Dunwoody took over on Sherwood’s retirement and won two more King Georges. Their attempt to win a third in 1991 met with the fall that prompted Dessie’s retirement. The horse spent it alternating between David Elsworth in winter and summers spent in the Burridge family’s Leicestershire paddocks.

Elsworth trained several top-class horses under Flat and National Hunt Rules, yet Desert Orchid has no peer in his affections. As much is evident from the pictorial shrine to the grey on the walls of David’s home.

“It was an extraordinary time,” the trainer reflects. “When you’re in the driving seat with a horse like that, you see things differently to everybody else. You’re on the inside looking out. It becomes personal.

“You realise over time that trainers and jockeys ride on the back of horses, who are the real stars. But you live and learn. At that time I was aggressive; always trying to pedal the bike too fast. I now know that whatever you do in life, you need to be lucky. And I was very lucky to have had Desert Orchid.”

Desert Orchid by numbers

Won 34 of 70 starts, including:

Cheltenham Gold Cup 1989

King George VI Chase 1986, 88, 89, 90

Whitbread Gold Cup 1988

Gainsborough Chase 1987, 89, 91

Tingle Creek Chase 1988

Victor Chandler Chase 1989

Irish Grand National 1990

Tolworth Hurdle 1984

Kingwell Hurdle 1984

Desert Orchid’s origins

Grey gelding, foaled 11 April 1979

By Grey Mirage out of Flower Child, by Brother

Owner: Richard Burridge et al

Trainer: David Elsworth

Breeder: Jimmy Burridge

Regular jockeys: Colin Brown, Simon Sherwood, Richard Dunwoody

Desert Orchid’s granddam, Grey Orchid, was bought by Jimmy Burridge for £175 and reared over with him the first time he sat on her. Grey Orchid failed to win in point-to-points – including when finishing second in a two-runner race. She produced Flower Child, who won once under Rules before she was bred to Grey Mirage in 1978. Desert Orchid resulted from that union.

Desert Orchid’s riders

Dessie had a number of regular riders, but which one got the best out of him?

“I’d love to say Colin Brown because he was my stable jockey and a mate,” says David Elsworth, who trained Desert Orchid.

“Colin was instrumental in the horse’s early years – the combination won 17 races – but Simon Sherwood rode the horse for the first time in the 1986 King George and I was keen for him to get back on him even though he didn’t ride much for me at all.

“Richard Dunwoody [pictured] was a proper jockey, one of the best, yet while he won many big races on Dessie, by and large he wanted to organise his horses. Dessie was one of those who didn’t want organising. He was best left to his own devices because he was always willing.

”With Simon, the horse felt like he was running loose.”

Too beloved for the National

At the height of Desert Orchid’s popularity, connections seriously considered running him in the Grand National, in which he would have been asked to carry top weight. That prospect had the nation on tenterhooks.

“I’m sure he’d have been absolute mustard round Aintree,” says Simon Sherwood, who rode Desert Orchid to win nine times from 10 starts. “Becher’s would have been something, especially if he took off on a long stride. But there was little to gain and too much to lose if anything awful happened – not that I think it would have. And the weight might have told on him over four-and-a-half miles.”

David Elsworth was keen to go but there were other concerns.

“It would have been some sight, but by then, the pressure was building on all of us because the old horse was like public property,” he says. “Some of the Burridge family weren’t too keen, and they owned the horse, so it wouldn’t have been right if they weren’t going to enjoy it. And maybe part of me was also looking for a reason not to run him, even though I think he might well have won it.”

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While many, many brilliant thoroughbreds have made their mark on the racecourses around the world during their Flat or National Hunt careers, far fewer have stolen the hearts and minds of the public to become truly famous racehorses. So what is it that makes a successful horse into a one widely regarded as a “people’s horse”?

In the vast majority of cases, as well as winning important races, the most famous horses have a back story that racing fans – and the media — are interested in. Those horses who stick around for multiple seasons – an achievement that is easier for most National Hunt horses than those racing on the Flat — have the time for a wider fan base to develop.

With some famous racehorses, the story is almost as much about the people who are around them – Bob Champion with Aldaniti and Sir Henry Cecil with Frankel for example – as it is the horse itself. And not every horse becomes famous during their racing career. The fame of the late, great Galileo only grew after he retired and became the world’s most influential sire, while Shergar’s fame exploded when he went missing, never to be seen again.

As for deciding which horses deserve the title of “most famous racehorses ever”, that’s a tricky task to undertake but we’ve challenged ourselves to take it on, so here is our selection of some of the most famous racehorses of all time…

Horse & Hound’s most famous racehorses

Frankel

Foaled on 11 February 2008, Frankel is now retired from racing and is standing at stud. The British-based horse was unbeaten in his 14-race career and was the highest-rated racehorse in the world from May 2011. By Galileo, Frankel amassed £2,998,302 during his three-year Flat racing career. He was trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil and ridden in his races by Tom Queally. His race record is remarkable and includes wins in the 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Lockinge Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes, International Stakes and Champion Stakes.

Red Rum

Red Rum jumped his way into the public’s heart with his three Aintree Grand National wins (1973, 1974 and 1977). Born on 7 May 1965, the prolific steeplechaser was renowned for his jumping ability, having not fallen in 100 races. He remains the only horse to have won the Grand National three times. The 1973 race in which Red Rum secured his comeback victory from 30 lengths behind is often considered one of the greatest Grand Nationals in history. Trained by Ginger McCain and owned by Noel le Mare, he also won the 1974 Scottish National and amassed over £146,000 in prize money throughout his career. He died on 18 October 1995 and remains one of the most famous racehorses to have ever entertained the public over fences.

Galileo

Galileo (30 March 1998 – 10 July 2021) enjoyed a successful Flat racing career (six wins from eight starts as a two- and three-year-old), but it was as a sire that he made his indelible mark on the racing industry as the most successful thoroughbred stallion of all time. After winning The Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001, he was named the 2001 European Champion Three-Year-Old Colt. After retirement, Galileo became one of the most sought after sires in the world. First crowned leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 2008, he then consecutively earned the title from 2010 until 2020. In 2020, he set the record for the number of Derby winners sired at five: New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine. At the time of his death he had sired 91 Group One winners, while 20 of his sons – including Frankel and Australia – have also sired Group One victors.

Arkle

Named after a mountain in Sutherland, Scotland that bordered the Duchess of Westminster’s Sutherland estate, Arkle (19 April 1957 – 31 May 1970) won three Cheltenham Gold Cups before his career was brought to a premature end by an injury. Owned by Anne Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, he was trained by Tom Dreaper at Greenogue, Kilsallaghan in County Meath, Ireland, and ridden during his steeplechasing career by Pat Taaffe. At 212, his Timeform rating is the highest ever awarded to a steeplechaser.

Desert Orchid

Desert Orchid (11 April 1979 – 13 November 2006) has been described as “the most charismatic racehorse of the 20th century”. Adored by his public, at its height Dessie-mania was just as impassioned as Beatle-mania. Trained by David Elsworth, ‘Dessie’ won a remarkable four King George VI Chases, a Cheltenham Gold Cup, an Irish Grand National and a Tingle Creek, among many others. During his racing career he was partnered by five different jump jockeys: Colin Brown, Richard Linley, Simon Sherwood, Graham Bradley and Richard Dunwoody. Desert Orchid won 34 of his 70 starts, amassing £654,066 in prize money, but he never ran in the Grand National at Aintree as he was “too beloved” by the public.

Secretariat

Champion American Flat horse Secretariat (30 March 1970 – 4 October 1989) won the American Triple Crown, setting and still holding the fastest time record in all three races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. During his racing career, he won five Eclipse Awards, including Horse of the Year honours when he was two and three years old. Trained by Lucien Laurin, “Big Red” as he was also known, amassed over $1.316m in prize money. His win in the Belmont Stakes was record-breaking, storming home 31 lengths clear of the rest of the field.

Kauto Star

Record-breaking Kauto Star (19 March 2000 – 29 June 2015) earnt his place in the record books – and any list of famous racehorses – with five wins in the King George VI Chase. The French-bred National Hunt champion racehorse, who was trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by Clive Smith, also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, in 2007 and 2009. He earned a total of £3,775,883 in prize money and bonuses. He was the top-rated steeplechaser during the 2006/7, 2008/9, 2009/10 and 2011/12 season, winning the Tingle Creek Chase in both 2005 and 2006 and the Betfair Chase four times in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011.

Winx

Winx (foaled 14 September 2011) won 33 consecutive races as a Flat horse, predominantly in Australia. These victories included 25 Group One races, amassing over £14m in prize money. Winx became the first horse in history to win the prestigious Cox Plate four times. She retired on 13 April 2019 at Randwick racecourse after winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes for the third time. She is now a broodmare. Trained by Chris Waller, Winx was the world’s top-ranked filly or mare and the world’s top-ranked turf horse in 2016. She retained this ranking in 2017 and in 2018 was co-ranked as the best horse in the world.

American Pharoah

American Pharoah (foaled 2 February 2012) won the American Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2015. He won nine of his 11 starts and amassed $8,650,300 in prize money for his connections. This famous racehorse now stands at stud at Ashford Stud in Kentucky. He was bred and owned throughout his racing career by Ahmed Zayat, trained by Bob Baffert, and ridden in most of his races by Victor Espinoza. He was the American Champion Two-Year-Old in 2014 and the American Champion Three-Year-Old in 2015, and was also the American Horse of the Year in 2015.

Denman

Fondly known as “The Tank”, Denman (17 April 2000 – 5 June 2018) was a much-loved National Hunt horse, who was trained by Paul Nicholls during his illustrious career. He won 14 of his 24 races, including the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Hennessy Gold Cup in both 2007 and 2009. He was well-known for his rivalry with stable mate Kauto Star throughout his career. Owned by Paul Barber and Maggie Findlay, Denman had a front-running style and was tough and gutsy, which caught the imagination and hearts of racing fans during his career.

Enable

Enable (foaled 12 February 2014) is one of the great horses of modern day Flat racing. During her career, which ran from November 2016 to October 2020, she won 15 of her 19 races, including 11 Group One races. She amassed over £10m in prize money for her owner, the late Khalid Abdullah, who also owned Frankel. She was trained by John Gosden and ridden predominantly by Frankie Dettori, who regularly documented his love for this horse. She won the Cheshire Oaks, Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks, three King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes’, the Yorkshire Oaks and two Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes. She also won the Breeders’ Cup Turf, becoming the first Arc winner to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf in the same year. She has retired to stud as a broodmare.

Best Mate

Best Mate (28 January 1995 – 1 November 2005) was a three-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup between 2002 and 2004. He was much-loved by the public and trained by Henrietta Knight to win 14 of his 22 races, and finished second in seven more. He also won the King George VI Chase in 2002 and amassed over £1m in prize money. Best Mate never fell at a fence or hurdle. Of the seven races in which he finished second, five were Grade One races, and two were Grade Two races. Jim Culloty was Best Mate’s jockey for most of his biggest successes and he was owned by Jim Lewis. This famous racehorse suffered a suspected heart attack and died in front of his adoring fans while racing at Exeter.

Seabiscuit

The subject of books and films, Seabiscuit (23 May 1933 – 17 May 1947) was a champion Flat horse in the United States who became the top money-winning racehorse up to the 1940s. He beat the 1937 Triple-Crown winner, War Admiral, by four lengths in a two-horse special at Pimlico and was voted the 1938 American Horse of the Year. He only won a quarter of his first 40 races, but after moving to trainer Tom Smith, he went on to achieve great things. Among the many books and films documenting this famous racehorse’s life, the movie Seabiscuit, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Aldaniti

Aldaniti (25 June 1970 – 28 March 1997) won the Grand National in 1981. His jockey on that day, Bob Champion, had recovered from cancer, while Aldaniti had recovered after suffering a career-threatening injury. The horse was trained by Josh Gifford and owned by Nick Embiricos. Aldaniti starred as himself in the 1983 film Champions alongside John Hurt. He finished third in the 1979 Cheltenham Gold Cup and second in the Scottish Grand National. He sustained a serious leg injury at Sandown in November 1979 and was off the racecourse for over a year, which made his Grand National win all the more remarkable.

Shergar

No list of famous racehorses would be complete without Shergar (3 March 1978 – c. February 1983), who was bred and owned by HH Aga Khan IV and trained by Michael Stoute in Newmarket. From his eight races, he won six, including the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, all in 1981. After this successful season, he was retired to the Ballymany Stud in County Kildare, Ireland. In 1983 he was stolen from the stud, and a ransom of £2m was demanded; it was not paid, and negotiations were soon broken off by the thieves. In 1999 a supergrass, formerly in the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), stated they stole the horse. The IRA has never admitted any role in the theft and the horse was never found.

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British breeding has surged in recent years, with more and more quality sport horses being proudly British-bred, and getting the recognition they deserve. H&H takes a look back at some of the best in history, from Milton to Desert Orchid.

Foxhunter

1940-1959

By Erehwemos and out of Catcall

FOXHUNTER won Olympic bronze in 1948 and secured Great Britain’s only gold medal of the 1952 Games, with Harry Llewellyn. They remain the only partnership to have won the King George V Cup three times, and Foxhunter has put his name to the national showjumping competition at HOYS since 1954.

Priceless

1973-2003

By Ben Faerie and out of Reckless

BRED in Somerset and ridden by Ginny Holgate (now Elliott), Priceless held both the world and European team and individual eventing titles concurrently, won Badminton and became the first horse to win Burghley twice. Throughout his career, he never incurred a single cross-country jumping penalty.

Milton

1977-1999

By Marius and out of Aston Answer

MILTON and John Whitaker claimed almost every domestic and international title, including European team gold medals in 1987 and 1980, plus European individual gold in 1989. Milton was the first horse outside of racing to earn more than £1million in prize money.

Desert Orchid

1979-2006

By Grey Mirage and out of Flower Child

BRED in Leicestershire by James Burridge out of his hunter Flower Child, “Dessie” exceeded all his breeder’s expectations, winning 34 races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase four times.

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Getting ready for your mare to foal: useful advice for first-time breeders

King William

1983–2002

By Nickel King and out of unknown

AT the point of his death, Mary King’s prolific and much-loved eventer held the record for the most British Eventing points amassed (1,926). He was instrumental in Mary’s career, giving her her first Badminton win in 1992.

Don’t miss this week’s 48-page breeding special (6 April 2017), where we find out whether breeding really pays the bills

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Three-time Grand National winner Red Rum has been revealed as one of the horses featured in the Royal Mail’s “Racehorse Legends” series.

Steeplechasing superstar Desert Orchid was the first racehorse of the series to be announced when the themes for the 2017 special stamp collections were made public in January.

He has now been joined by fellow equine superstars Red Rum, Frankel, Shergar, Kauto Star, Desert Orchid, Brigadier Gerard, Arkle and Estimate.

Equestrian painter Michael Heslop created the artwork for the stamps.

“I started painting racehorses a long, long time ago,” he said. “The reason I wanted to paint racehorses is, for an artist they have everything; you paint form, you can paint movement.

“In that one image you’ve got horseflesh and you’ve got the silks of the jockey. Everything in that one image — that is really, really worth painting.”

The stamps go on sale today (6 April) and can be bought from 7,000 Post Office branches or at www.royalmail.com/racehorselegends

Racing journalist and former jockey Brough Scott added: “British Racing has been going on for almost as long as the Royal Mail and it is great for it to be recognised in this way.”

A replica Royal Mail coach and horses is also attending the Randox Health Grand National today and tomorrow (6-7 April).

“Racing is a British passion, and we pay tribute to eight legendary horses that have proven their greatness on UK racecourses and won the affection of the public,” said Philip Parler, Royal Mail’s stamp strategy manager.

The horses

Frankel (b.2008)

Unbeaten in any of his 14 starts, Flat legend Frankel’s highlights include the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in 2011 and the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2012. He retired to stud in October 2012, following his win in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Red Rum (1965-1995)

This year marks four decades since Red Rum won his third Grand National. Trained by Ginger McCain, he won the iconic race in 1973, 1974 and 1977, finishing second on both his other attempts in 1975 and 1976.

Shergar (1978-1983)

Trained by Michael Stoute, Shergar won five consecutive races as a three-year-old in 1981. These included the Guardian Classic Trial at Sandown Park, the Chester Vase and the Irish Derby at the Curragh. At the Epsom Derby in June, he won by 10 lengths, which remains the furthest winning distance in the race’s history. He retired to the Aga Khan’s Ballymany Stud in Ireland, but in 1983 he was stolen and never found.

Kauto Star (2000-2015)

National Hunt hero Kauto Star won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice (2007 and 2009) and the King George VI Chase a record five times between 2006 and 2011. During his racing career he notched up 16 Grade One victories.

Desert Orchid (1979-2006)

Known affectionately as ‘Dessie’, Desert Orchid was adored by the crowds for his incredible jumping, versatility and courage. Trained by David Elsworth, he ran 71 times between January 1983 and December 1991, winning 34 races. His victories include four King George VI Chases, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Irish Grand National.

Brigadier Gerard (1968-1989)

Owned by John and Jean Hislop, and trained by Dick Hern, Brigadier Gerard won 17 of his 18 races between 1970 and 1972. His most memorable wins include the 2000 Guineas Stakes, a 10-length victory in the Goodwood Mile and top honours in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, all in 1971.

Arkle (1957-1970)

The Irish steeplechaser stormed to victories in the 1964 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse and in the Leopardstown Chase (1964, 1965 and 1966). He cemented his legend status with consecutive wins in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1964, 1965 and 1966) and the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury (1964 and 1965).

Estimate (b.2009)

Her Majesty The Queen became the first reigning monarch to triumph in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot when Estimate won the coveted race in June 2013. The mare was retired to stud in September 2014 after five victories on the track.

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Steeplechasing superstar Desert Orchid will feature in the Royal Mail’s 2017 special stamp collection.

The iconic grey is included in the “Racehorse Legends” category for April, along with eight other top thoroughbreds.

“The stamp set features original artwork of eight champion horses achieving their greatest wins on UK racecourses over six decades,” said a statement from Royal Mail.

It will include four Flat racers and four National Hunt horses in action en route to one of their major wins.

“Dessie” is pictured on course at the Cheltenham Festival as he heads towards his win in the 1989 Gold Cup, partnered by Simon Sherwood.

A spokesman told H&H that they will reveal the names of the other horses “closer to the release date of the stamps”.

Royal Mail’s 2017 collection has an overarching “Best of British” theme, with each month focusing on a different area.

Starting with ancient Britain in January, the other categories are Windsor Castle, songbirds, windmills and watermills, First World War: 1917, landmark buildings, classic toys and Christmas.

Article continues below…

Related articles:

• Desert Orchid: horse of a lifetime
• Who’s your favourite grey racehorse?
• 5 of the best British-bred horses of all time

Desert Orchid

Bred by James Burridge, the son of Grey Mirage won 34 races during his 10-year career, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, four King George VIs, the Irish Grand National and the Whitbread Gold Cup.

The much-loved steeplechaser was trained by David Elsworth and after his retirement from the race track, spent much of his time attending charity events.

He was adored by the public, and even had a 1,000-strong official fan club, which was run by co-owner the late Midge Burridge.

In 1992, one year into his retirement, he suffered a severe bout of colic and was given just a 10% chance of survival.

But Dessie recovered and went on to live to the age of 27, when he died peacefully in his stable at home in 2006.

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A Boxing Day highlight for horse lovers and racing fans is of course the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

The first winner was Southern Hero in 1937 — who at 12 remains the oldest winner of the race. Since then there have been several multiple winners, many whom became popular stars of the festive season.

Ahead of this year’s race H&H looks back over a selection of King George heroes.

Kauto Star

One of the most popular chasers of recent times, Kauto Star made history in 2011 taking the King George for the fifth time, surpassing the record he held jointly with Desert Orchid.

Trained by Paul Nicholls he also won two Cheltenham Gold Cups before retiring in 2012. He is now being retrained by event rider Laura Collett.

The French-bred chaser, owned by Clive Smith, was a firm Boxing Day favourite and was a major draw to the race for several years. Every year he parades at the track, there is even a bar at the course named after him and filled with memorabilia honouring the King George hero.

This year a statue of the 14-year-old will be unveiled at the course, created by equestrian sculptor Charlie Langton.

“Owning Kauto Star has been the thrill of a lifetime and to be able to present a statue of him to Kempton Park, to celebrate his great wins is truly heart-warming for me,” said Clive.

“Being remembered in this way is nothing less than he deserves. My very talented, beautiful horse with a lovely quiet temperament and a tremendous will to win; the horse of a lifetime.”

Desert Orchid

A four-time winner of the King George VI Chase at Kempton, the gelding continued to parade there after his retirement on Boxing Day each year for the public.

After his death in 2006 his ashes were buried near his statue at the Middlesex track.

He won the race first in 1986 and followed it up with wins in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

A much-loved chasing campaigner he won 34 races, ran an estimated 180 miles and jumped more than 1,000 fences. “I’ve never known a horse so brave,” said rider Simon Sherwood.

However, his career was almost over before it started as in his first race in 1983 he took bad tumble. But he returned to the track and won many top class races, including the 1998 Tingle Creek and 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

After a crashing fall during his sixth King George he was retired. He had an active retirement — making public appearances and parading.

He died peacefully in his stable in November 2006 aged 27.

One Man

One of the most popular greys in racing, One Man won the King George two years running — 1995 and 1996.

He was ridden by Richard Dunwoody and ran in the famous yellow, red and white silks of John Hales, owner of Nick Skelton’s showjumping star Arko.

The gelding, by Remainder Man, was foaled in 1988 and won 20 of 35 races — including the 1998 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

He was trained by the late Gordon Richards, who nicknamed the horse his “bouncing rubber ball”.

He soared into the public eye thanks to his high speed and neat jumping style and followed in Desert Orchid’s footsteps as the people’s grey.

Long Run

Long Run won the 2010 renewal of the race — which was run in January 2011 due to bad weather — providing jockey Sam Waley-Cohen with his first King George title.

Trained by Nicky Henderson, the gelding finished ahead of stablemate Riverside Theatre in second and Kauto Star in third. The next season he finished second to Kauto Star, who won his fifth, final and record-breaking race. In 2012 Long Run won for a second time, beating Captain Chris in a thrilling race by a neck.

Teeton Mill

Another popular grey winner of the Boxing Day race, Teeton Mill won the King George in 1998.

Trained by Venetia Williams he also won the Hennessy Gold Cup the same year. Teeton Mill sadly died last month at the age of 25.

Wayward Lad

A three-time winner of the race, Wayward Lad took the King George in 1982, 1983 and 1984.

Kicking King

Trained in Ireland by Tom Taaffe, Kicking King won under top Irish jockey Barry Geraghty in 2004 and 2005 — the second of which was run at Sandown as track redevelopment was underway at Kempton.

By Old Vic, Kicking King also won the 2005 Gold Cup.

Silviniaco Conti

Paul Nicholls reclaimed his Kempton crown last year with his charge Silviniaco Conti.

The eight-year-old, ridden by Noel Fehily, now aims to become the 14th horse to win the race more than once, and give his trained a record ninth victory in the race.

At the time jockey Noel called the horse “tough as nails”. 

Silviniaco Conti goes into this year’s race as favourite, up against Champagne Fever, Al Ferof and Menorah. For full entries see below.

But who will win? Tune in to Channel 4 Racing or visit the course on 26 December to find out.

The William Hill King George VI Chase is run at 3.10pm.

2014 contenders:

• Silviniaco Conti
• Champagne Fever
• Al Ferof
• Cue Card
• Dynaste
• Menorah
• Johns Spirit
• Wishfull Thinking
• Double Ross
• Wonderful Charm

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Everyone loves a grey — in racing they are often a paddock pick or crowd favourite due to their striking appearance. Across the years many great greys have stormed to victory on the racecourse — picking up legions of fans along the way. We look back at some of our favourites.

Desert Orchid

Arguably the most popular grey racehorse of all time, “Dessie” wowed fans nationwide with his flamboyant jumping style.

A four-times winner of the King George VI Chase at Kempton, the gelding continued to parade there after his retirement on Boxing Day each year for the public. After his death in 2006 his ashes were buried near his statue at the Middlesex track.

A much-loved chasing campaigner he won 34 races, ran an estimated 180 miles and jumped more than 1,000 fences. “I’ve never known a horse so brave,” said rider Simon Sherwood.

However, his career was almost over before it started as in his first race in 1983 he took a crashing fall. But he returned to the track and won many top class races, including the 1998 Tingle Creek and 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

More than 58,000 people turned up to cheer the charismatic grey home that March, as he overhauled Yahoo in the run in in heavy ground.

After a crashing fall during his sixth King George he was retired. He had an active retirement — making public appearances, parading, and even fronting a range of merchandise that raised more than £40,000 for charity.

He died peacefully in his stable in November 2006 aged 27.

Trainer David Elsworth said at the time: “Everybody will miss him and our sympathy goes to his adoring public and fan club that never ceased to take opportunities to see him at his public appearances.”

Monet’s Garden

One of the most famous greys of recent years, Monet’s Garden collected an army of fans by winning the Old Roan Chase at Aintree three times.

For the past couple of years — including 2014 — he paraded before the race, which now bears his name, and looked fresh enough to take part.

Three years ago it was a different story — the popular chaser developed a critical bone infection and almost died. At the time owner David Wesley Yates told H&H he was “hoping for a miracle”.

Against the odds the strong grey pulled through and made a full recovery to enjoy his retirement.

He remained at Nicky Richards’ Greystoke yard and has done some showing with Nicky’s daughter Joey.

Neptune Collonges

It was almost like a fairytale — a grey wins the Grand National by a nose.

Neptune Collonges was the first grey since Nicolaus Silver in 1961 to win the famous race.

Trained by Paul Nicholls he fought to the line, narrowly snatching victory from Jonjo O’Neill’s Sunnyhillyboy in a photo finish. It was the narrowest win in the history of the race — and the horse was retired immediately afterwards.

“It was like a dream,” trainer Paul Nicholls told H&H. “When he worked at home he was so slow, he couldn’t keep up with anyone, but he was determined.”

It was a first win in the race for the trainer, and for the owner, John Hales.

“I just wanted him to get round safe and sound and I never dreamed that he would win it,” said Hales, who also owns showjumpers such as the Nick Skelton-ridden Arko.

“Nipper” has since taken part in dressage competitions with Lisa Hales — making a winning return to competition in November 2012.

Nicolaus Silver

In 1961 the Irish born grey was the first grey to win the Grand National since The Lamb in 1868.

After his trainer Dan Kirwan’s death in 1960 he was sold to England.

Trained by Fred Rimell he started at odds of 28-1 and partnered by Bobby Beasley, drew clear over the final fence to win by five lengths.

One Man

Another great grey to run in the famous yellow, red and white silks of John Hales.

The gelding, by Remainder Man, was foaled in 1988 and won 20 of 35 races — including the 1998 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

He was trained by the late Gordon Richards, who nicknamed the horse his “bouncing rubber ball”.

He soared into the public eye thanks to his high speed and neat jumping style and followed in Desert Orchid’s footsteps as the people’s grey.

Like Dessie he also won the King George VI Chase (1995 and 1996).

To the anguish of his fans he suffered a fatal fall at Aintree in April 2008 during the Melling Chase.

Rooster Booster

The 2003 Champion Hurdle winner was well-known for his staying power and turn of speed.

Trained by Philip Hobbs and ridden by Richard Johnson and owned by Terry Warner.

He sadly died on the gallops while being prepared for the Christmas Hurdle aged 11 in 2005.

“He gave great pleasure to everyone connected with him,” said Richard Johnson.

Rooster Booster’s connections also had another famous grey — Detroit City who won the 2006 Triumph Hurdle.

Scots Grey

This gusty grey was the winner of the Fox Hunter’s at Aintree over the Grand National fences in 2007.

He was trained by Nicky Henderson and ran 44 times and won 10 races before retiring and taking up team chasing, where he was praised for his sure-footed jumping style.

“Scots Grey is a complete darling to be around, without a bad bone in his body,” said new owner Emma Burton.

Kingston Hill

In comparision to National Hunt racing, grey heroes on the Flat are relatively scarce. However, this year’s St Leger winner proved himself star. Kingston Hill also took the 2013 Racing Post Trophy and was named the Cartier Champion Two year colt that year.

Trained by Roger Varien, he was beaten one and quarter lengths at Epsom in the Derby but went on to win the final British Classic of the season — the St Leger at Doncaster. His half brother [by Mastercraftsman] has also flown the flag for the colour — the Grey Gatsby won the Dante.

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KAUTO STAR became the only horse other than Desert Orchid to win three consecutive Stan James King George VI Chases on Boxing Day when, with his trademark clout of the last fence, he beat Alberta’s Run and former Champion Chaser Voy Por Ustedes eight lengths and half a length.

The further the field of 10 went, the better the winner got and it was a confident Ruby Walsh who jumped into the front rank at the fifth. This was in part to avoid Our Vic, who had begun jumping violently left, and the tiring Snoopy Loopy.

Imperial Commander, who was going ominously well turning for home, faded quickly in the straight and from then Alberta’s Run, who has been out of form since winning the Royal & Sun Alliance Chase last season, looked the biggest threat but only briefly as Kauto Star found another gear.

“I’m delighted for the horse,” said trainer Paul Nicholls, who criticised recent adverse press comment for picking holes in the horse. “He’ll go straight to the Gold Cup now and, hopefully, going there on the back of this run will re-invigorate the interest in the race like last year. He’s best extremely fit and very fresh. Then he’ll have one run in the autumn before coming here for an attempt at a fourth.”

Earlier, four years after winning the Christmas Hurdle, Harchibald returned from Ireland to win the race again for Paul Carberry and Noel Meade. He beat Snap Tie and Blue Bajan in a tight finish. Punjabi, the favourite, was in the firing line when he stepped at the second last flight and took a heavy fall.

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Fans of legendary racehorse Desert Orchid are invited to make offers for memorabilia of the famous grey, donated to a Leicestershire horse charity.

Pablo’s Horse Sanctuary, near Melton Mowbray, has received a rug, limited edition reproduction horseshoe and plaits from the gelding’s mane and tail, from Dessie’s former co-owners, the Burridge family.

The charity hopes to sell them to Dessie fans to raise cash.

Carole Fielding, who runs the Pablo’s Horse Sanctuary, said: “The Burridge family have very kindly donated the rug he wore to one of his final appearances, which has his name on and is still covered in his hairs.

“We also have a silver-plated reproduction of a horse shoe he was wearing when he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup [in 1989] and plaits from his mane and tail.”

She said they would like offers for the items. If you would like to buy a piece of racing history, contact Carole on 01664 562634.

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The long queue waiting to be photographed with the superstar resembled the line snaking around Harrods for the January sales. Finally, a little girl’s patience was rewarded as she stepped forward to share the spotlight, and while touching her grey-haired hero, she asked in awestruck tones where he was from.

The reply from Desert Orchid’s travelling head lad, Jim Stone, perfectly suited the moment. “I think,” he said softly, “that he came from heaven.”

Many grown-ups would, like the little girl, take the answer seriously. Desert Orchid is an extraordinary, charismatic equine who has become official horse of a lifetime to the 1,000 members of the Desert Orchid Fan Club.

Some cancer and leukaemia sufferers have stroked him, and confessed that his courage was their inspiration to keep fighting their illnesses. He has humbled others, such as part-owner James Burridge, a 75-year-old solicitor who, on seeing the “Three Kings” Christmas card portraying Dessie alongside Arkle and Red Rum, wondered: “Is he really good enough to be in their company?”

The grey has frightened the able-bodied he has cornered in his stable, delighted the disabled with whom he is so gentle, while exasperating others, such as his groom Gen Sentence, who lavishes love on him and then finds she is being rushed to hospital to have the finger Dessie has bitten off sewn back on.

In his 10-year career, the “Grey One” ran an estimated 180 miles, leaped more than 1,000 fences and won 34 races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, a record four King George VI chases, the Irish Grand National and the Whitbread Gold Cup.

The 16.2hh son of Grey Mirage was bred by Midge’s former husband James, out of his hard-pulling hunter, Flower Child.

“I have known Dessie since he was born and he is part of my family. Not being around him is like losing a child.”

She recalls Dessie as an adorable foal, growing into an odd-looking yearling with a black mane and tail, and white patches. He became a gawky two-year-old “who was a pig to bring in from the field”.

Midge, a keen rider, did much of Dessie’s roadwork before he first went into training and found him an easy ride before the professionals took over.

Dessie was the leading horse of the 1980s, but a year after his retirement, he was given only a 10 per cent chance of survival following an attack of colic. He recovered and spent much of his retirement attending charity events before eventually passing away in 2006, aged 27.

“I really love him,” says Midge. “People love horses if they keep winning and they particularly love horses when they keep winning and they are grey.

“But Dessie has an amazing effect on everyone he meets. He has presence and charisma and, like Mohammed Ali, believes he is the greatest. He is the biggest part of my life. In fact,” she says, “he completely changed my life.”

First published in Horse & Hound in 1997

Milton, John Whitaker’s Olympic show jumper, is the best-loved horse in Britain, according to a poll of readers of Horse & Hound Online.

Crowd-pleasing Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Desert Orchid is the runner-up.

To celebrate Valentine’s day, Horse & Hound readers have picked their best-loved horses of all time — and it’s no surprise that these two great “white” champions have topped the list.

The top 10

• Milton: Started by Caroline Bradley before her death in 1983, he went on to represent Britain countless times with John Whitaker
• Desert Orchid: Four-time winner of the King George VI Chase
• Red Rum: Dominated the 1970s with three Grand National wins
• Best Mate: Three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner
• Over To You: The world’s most-medalled event horse with Jeanette Brakewell
• Ryan’s Son: Chunky bay and 1980 Olympic medallist with John Whitaker
• Supreme Rock: Back-to-back Badminton winner with Pippa Funnell
• King William: Badminton winner with Mary King
• Stroller: Pony who beat horses to Olympic silver show jumping medal in 1968
• Black Beauty: Iconic hero of seminal Victorian animal welfare novel

For the full article and the complete countdown of best-loved horses from 1-20 see Horse & Hound (14 February, ’08)

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Desert Orchid, the well-known, much-loved steeplechaser, has died. During his 10-year long career he won 34 races in total, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase a record four times.

Former trainer David Elsworth said that Dessie died peacefully in his stable on Monday. Elsworth added: “There was no stress, he departed from this world with dignity and no fuss.

“He did his dying in the same individual way that he did his living. It was time to go.

“Dessie had not been well for the past week and was losing his co-ordination. He was 27 years old and we had been involved with this wonderful horse for quarter of a century both in his racing days and retirement.

“Everybody will miss him and our sympathy goes to his adoring public and fan club that never ceased to take opportunities to see him at his public appearances.”

Click here to see our sister site Countrylife.co.uk’s pictorial tribute to Dessie.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now