March 2
On this day in 1991, Twin Oaks landed the Greenalls Gold Cup at Haydock for trainer Gordon Richards.
March 2
On this day in 1991, Twin Oaks landed the Greenalls Gold Cup at Haydock for trainer Gordon Richards.
"The owls are not what they seem"
On this day 1938 Airgead Sios won King George VI Chase, the only 12yo to do same. After WW2 they ran the race on Boxing Day.
1985 Mar 2 Peter Scu had his first ride for MCPipe on Hieronymous at Haydock. It won .
Scu remembered the horse not to be a great jumper but "the fittest horse he had ever ridden". A new era in jump racing had begun.....
On this day in 1996, Florida Pearl won a Lismore point-to-point and won the Champion Bumper the following March.
"The owls are not what they seem"
Geezer, do you know if he was already in the Mullins yard when he won his point?
According to the RP, yes.
Ah! but a man's reach should exceed his grasp......
Thanks, Colin
3rd March 1992
Peter Scudamore became the first National Hunt jockey to ride 1500 winners.
March 4 1989
On this day I went to Haydock park to see Southern Minstrel win the Timeform Chase.
Bred locally by Mallow vet Victor Dowling by Black Minstrel then standing at Clongeel Stud he was the great local hope for stardom. He won easily and went on to run Waterloo Boy to a half length in Arkle Chase. He got injured after Ayr and came back a year later. Ultra consistent he ran until a 13 year old and was rarely out of the money but was short a gear.
Eton Rouge won the Greenhall Whitney Chase for Mercy Rimell and Martin Pipe/ J Lower had a double. Heycottage won the bumper for Ginger McCain ridden by 7lb claimer Donald McCain. They were winning their share of bumpers that season, a sign of things to come...
March 4
On this day in 1978 the legendary Red Rum had what turned out to be the final race of his career, finishing sixth at Haydock.
"The owls are not what they seem"
Champion man and a brilliant tipster in his day
March 5
On this day in 1994, Flakey Dove took the Berkshire Hurdle by 20 lengths at Newbury, and just 10 days later she won the Champion Hurdle.
"The owls are not what they seem"
Mar 5 1983
No SPs returned when Bregawn won at Hereford and Silver Buck won at Market Rasen for M W Dickinson. A punter's pal surely!!
March 6
This day in 1982 saw Wayward Lad land the odds in the Timeform Chase at Haydock. Michael Dickinson also struck at Mkt Rasen with Silver Buck
Last edited by Diamond Geezer; 6th March 2013 at 9:06 AM.
"The owls are not what they seem"
This day in 1968 saw South Rock the first winner trained by Tony Dickinson.
He was ridden by his 17 yo son Michael, whose first win it was.
March 7
On this day in 1964, Arkle landed his first Cheltenham Gold Cup following a mighty battle with his old foe Mill House
"The owls are not what they seem"
What a big moment that was.
Does anyone know when they decided to move the festival back a week?
1964 seems to be an aberration Art.
The festival ran from Thurs to Sat.
Other years had the Gold Cup run Mid March to as late as 21 March in 1968,possibly due to Foot and Mouth restrictions. Not counting for yrs postponed due to frost and/or snow eg 1978 the latest.
A Churchtown local told me last week that GC day 1949 or 1950 was postponed owing to the number of double and trebles riding onto Cottage Rake from other MVOB winners Hattons Grace ( and possibly Castledermot) that would have pauperised the bookies!
As an aside; in 1948 Cottage Rake travelled by train and boat and was walked from Chel Spa railway station to racecourse, started 10/1 and won.
In 1949 MVOB flew in his 3 challengers! (CR got upset on board and was nearly shot!)