March 19
On this day in 1981, Malton trainer Peter Easterby saddled the Jim Wilson-ridden Little Owl to beat stablemate Night Nurse in the Gold Cup.
March 19
On this day in 1981, Malton trainer Peter Easterby saddled the Jim Wilson-ridden Little Owl to beat stablemate Night Nurse in the Gold Cup.
"The owls are not what they seem"
On this day in 1998 there was a huge row between Martin Pipe and Paul Nicholls when A.P.McCoy pulled up Cyborgo (lame) before the 7th in The Gold Cup and carried out the Nicholls trained See More Business
Pluralism of Ideas and the prosperity of any land are intertwined. Freedom of minds and skill of intellect to 'think the unthinkable' is how humanity has progressed; when minds are incarcerated nothing endures.
March 20
On this day in 1975 Jane McDonald became the first woman jockey to compete professionally against men in an apprentice handicap at Doncaster
"The owls are not what they seem"
March 20
1888 Donovan wins Brocklesby Stakes at Lincoln. Ends his 2yo career 11 wins from 13 starts. As a 3yo wins Derby and St Leger. Dawn Approach fans take heart!
1948 Sheilas Cottage wins Aintree Grand National. Bred locally in Broadford Co. Limerick by Patsy Boyce she won local P2Ps in Ballyheen before being sold to England.
Ridden by Arthur Thompson she bit the top off one of his fingers 2 days after the race.
She was the third consecutive GN winner sired by Cottage after Lovely Cottage 46 and Caughoo 47.
1968
Persian War wins first of 3 Champion hurdles.
1993
Lord Oaksey performs bungee jump live on C4 at Uttoxeter races on the day talking horse Mister Ed wins Midlands National at 25/1. ( Thanks to Tommo for that one!)
March 21
On this day in 1964 Fulke Walwyn’s Team Spirit produced a late flourish to land the Grand National, catching Purple Silk close home.
"The owls are not what they seem"
1942
Mar 21 Medoc II wins Cheltenham Gold Cup ridden by Frenchie Nicholson.
Run in a thick fog though radio listeners were not told so by commentator Raymond Glendenning. Either because during WW2 weather reports were not broadcast or as a commentator rather than a race reader RG did not realise it was foggy himself.
Mar 21 1992
Lester Piggott's attempt to win Lincoln for the first time thwarted by his son in law Wm Haggas trained High Low. LP finished 2nd, 42 years after his first ride in the race.
Mar 21 1968
Fort Leney wins Cheltenham Gold Cup for P Taaffe and TW Dreaper on firm ground from The Laird and Stalbridge Colonist.
Englands Glory wins first Triumph Hurdle to be run at Festival.
It was firstly run at Hurst Park and then at April meeting.
March 22
On this day in 1975, Southwark Star sprang a 33-1 surprise in the Lincoln at Doncaster.
"The owls are not what they seem"
Mar 23 1986
Royal Gait wins his first race in Madrid over 9f on Heavy going.
Connections said to be anxious to sell as heavy ground horses have little going for them in Spain!
March 23 1991
Alex Greaves became first lady jockey to win Lincoln on Amenable.
Meanwhile, Lester Piggott, who never rode a Lincoln winner, won his first All Weather race in UK at Lingfield on La Masass.
Mar 23 1934
Golden Miller wins Grand National after 3rd Gold Cup win.
Not bad for a 7yo!
They were talking about that on Ch4 today and I still don't know!
March 24
On this day in 1956 Devon Loch famously threw away Grand National glory by sprawling to the ground on the run-in, handing victory to ESB.
"The owls are not what they seem"
Mar 24 1922
Music Hall wins Grand National, one of only three finishers.
RSPCA first year of protesting over severity of GN course.
We're pondering this at chez moi.
Would anyone know .................
Has the Irish/English Lincoln Double ever before been achieved prior to today's victory by Sweet Lightning?
Thanks in advance.
Good question Icebreaker.
I do not believe so.
Few enough Irish trained winners of Doncaster race bar Saving Mercy for Dk Weld who did not win Curragh race as I recall.
Folk Hero won Irish Lincoln for my buddy Richard McCormick in 1981 and was being prepared for Doncaster race, maybe even ran in it in 82 but broke down.
A great story about him; bought by the Sheehy bros of Kinsale he ran as a 2yo with Steve Norton winning but jarring up, As a 3yo D K Weld trained him. He was lead horse for a DKW 2000gns prospect in a Leopardstown gallop.
The 2000g prospect did not pick up FH so ending his Classic career.
RJMc bought FH at Horses in Training sales for 3000gns and nursed him to fitness to win Lincoln beating a DKW favourite. DKW not amused !
Some one wiser may have the correct answer Ice.