This year’s Juddmonte International – the highlight on the opening afternoon of York’s four-day Ebor meeting – was won by Ghaiyyath.
The race has been won by some of racing’s modern greats, including Frankel and Sea The Stars, but there has also been some huge shocks, including when Brigadier Gerard was beaten in the first edition of the race – run under the banner of the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup – in 1972.
The story of the 1972 Benson and Hedges Gold Cup is comprehensively covered in an article on Brigadier Gerard, one of 53 in-depth profiles recently published by horseracing analysts Timeform to highlight the greatest racehorses, over Flat and jumps, since the company first started publishing its world-renowned ratings in 1948.
Brigadier Gerard earned a rating of 144, which places him behind only Frankel (147) and Sea-Bird (145) in the pecking order among the best Flat horses, and his defeat by Roberto in the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup was the only time he failed to win in an 18 race career.
“Even though Brigadier Gerard’s opponents included the first two in the Derby, Roberto, and Rheingold, few forecast that they would give Brigadier Gerard much trouble on weight-for-age terms,” Timeform’s writer recalls.
“However, three furlongs out it was clear all was not well with Brigadier Gerard and there was little response. With Roberto keeping up the strong gallop, Brigadier Gerard was beaten before the final furlong and ITV’s John Penney concluded his commentary with the words ‘Brigadier Gerard’s unbeaten record is absolutely smashed to smithereens’.”
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Tragedy Hits Racing Family - Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters
Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters. I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.
AUDIENCE IS ERUPTING
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IT'S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
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PLAYING TO THE WHISTLE
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GIFT HORSES AND FRENCH LESSONS
Robert Cooper finds 'retirement' is keeping him busy
FEUD GETS THE PARTY ROLLING
Karl Hedley savours the Galway Festival action and picks out the summer highlights at Ballybrit
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Simon Nott reveals his recent experiences from trips to Brighton and Ascot
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Nick Townsend talks to in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton