Sefton

The Household Cavalry horse that survived the IRA bombing in Hyde Park became a symbol of defiance, whose extraordinary character was hewn in his early years. Bernard Bale charts his story

- Bernard Bale

THE legend of Sefton started in Ireland, Waterford to be exact, traditionally celebrated for its fine and precious crystal. Well, Sefton was not particularly fine and certainly not very precious when he was a youngster, the result of a liaison between an Irish Draught mare and a local stallion.

He was not even given a name in those early years, but his anonymity did not last for very long - as the story goes. Call it blarney or a true account, but the Sefton story really began when he was a yearling and taken to a horse sale where he was one of a crowd but still managed to catch the eye of Michael Connors, a well-known horse trainer who owned Tullyvolahane Farm and was a recognised supplier of horses to the British Army.

The young horse spent much of his time with other youngsters in the sprawling paddocks of the farm, but one day - and this is where we need to decide between fact or blarney - the local Woodstown Harriers passed nearby in full pursuit of a quarry. The young horse pricked his ears and picked up his hooves, jumping out of the paddock to join in the hunt, leaping over some of the highest walls in the land.

Michael Connors brought him back, realising this was no ordinary horse. Little did he know just how special this four-white-socked animal was going to become.

AS commander of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, Brigadier Andrew Parker-Bowles later became well-acquainted with Sefton and played a major part in saving his life.

"I think Sefton could be described as a 'character' and could never be considered a novice ride, although those who did ride him - myself included - always considered it to be a privilege," he says. "In fact, he became something of a humorous prize, as the best rider of the week in training was given the opportunity to ride him.