Greatest National Hunt Racehorses
During the long history of horseracing no racing format has created as many legends as the jump-racing format. This is, perhaps, because national hunt racehorses strike a chord with the average working man. These horses tend not to be derived from thoroughbred stock, are often trained and owned by working class trainers, and compete in one of the most dangerous racing formats in the world.
Here are some of the greatest national hunt racehorses ever to compete in the sport, and the achievements for which they are remembered:
Golden Miller
Golden Miller’s legend is likely to endure for as long as men race horses. This national hunt legend raced during the 1930s, winning all the biggest race titles in jump racing. It was at the Cheltenham Gold Cup that Golden Miller crafted his legend, by winning national hunt racing’s most prestigious grade 1 steeplechase 5 times.
Golden Miller is also the only national hunt racehorse to have won both of the sport’s biggest races in the same year. In 1934 Golden Miller won the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the third time, before going on to make history by claiming national hunt racing’s most prestigious handicap - the Grand National at Aintree.
Arkle
Whilst Golden Miller set national hunt racing records that may never be broken, it is Arkle who occupies a special place in the hearts of national hunt racing fans. Arkle won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on three consecutive occasions, and also won several other key national hunt races during this same period.
Arkle was unique in that his celebrity status extended beyond the bounds of the national hunt community. His legend was celebrated throughout Ireland, the land where he was born, and during the peak of his fame he was even suggested as a suitable candidate for the Irish presidency.
Red Rum
It is the story that accompanied Red Rum’s rise to greatness for which he is remembered. Red Rum was bought by part-time taxi driver Ginger McCain, despite suffering from an incurable bone disease in his foot. McCain, unable to afford formal training facilities, trained Red Rum on the beaches of Southport in Merseyside.
What happened next is the stuff of legends. The Southport waters alleviated Red Rum’s symptoms to such an extent that he was able to resume racing, and went on to win the Grand National three times during the next five years. His achievements, which included a number of wins over 4 miles, are all the more remarkable given that he was bred to race over a mile.
Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid’s legend was forged at the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup. In one of the most famous races in Cheltenham Festival history, Desert Orchid overcame soft ground and a left-hand course to defeat Yahoo, a racehorse ideally suited to those conditions.
Desert Orchid proceeded to win almost every major national hunt race, and performed particularly impressively in the prestigious King George VI Chase, winning the race four times in five years. Regarded as the finest handicap runner since Arkle, Desert Orchid was also the most successful gray in national hunt history.
Best mate
Best Mate is the only racehorse of the 21st century to have come close to winning the acclaim enjoyed by the likes of Golden Miller and Arkle. During his short career Best Mate won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times, and also claimed the George VI Chase during this period.
Unfortunately Best Mate’s tragic early death is inseparable from his legend. He died of a suspected heart attack during the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup, most likely due to a congenital heart defect. His passing was mourned throughout the United Kingdom and made headline news.
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