Many racecourses and equine centres have lifesize statues of famous racehorses which have become synonymous with them.
When I went racing at Epsom some years ago I saw a magnificent sculpture which gleams in the sunshine but with so many great champions having raced there over the years it was a guessing game as to which one had been immortalised.
There are many and varied first choices depending on your age and, therefore, which superstars you first became aware of. Is the statue of Nijinsky? Perhaps Sea Bird II or even one of the far older legions. A more modern champion, such as Galileo?
All are worthy yet all are wrong for the imposing adornment to the paddocks is that of Generous, the pride and joy of the late Prince Fahd Salman, So what made Generous so special?
Foaled on February 8, 1988, on breeding alone Generous had it all, starting with a sire line from the great Northern Dancer. The dam side was more American-based and included a Preakness Stakes winner as well as the victor of the 1970 Kentucky Derby.
As a foal he fetched 80,000 Irish guineas and that increased to 200,000 when he was later sold to Prince Fahd Salman at Goffs Yearling Sales and he was soon shipped to the Oxfordshire stables of Paul Cole.
BREEDING ALONE GENEROUS HAD IT ALL, STARTING WITH A SIRE LINE FROM THE GREAT NORTHERN DANCER
High hopes were embellished when the colt made his racecourse debut at Ascot on May 2, 1990 over five furlongs, winning perhaps a trifle cosily. Six weeks later he returned to Ascot for the pomp of the Royal meeting and a crack at the Coventry Stakes, finishing second of the 13 runners. Connections still believed in the colt enough to run him in the Champagne Stakes at Goodwood where he could finish no better than a well held third.
Denne historien er fra July 2021-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
Denne historien er fra July 2021-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
John Anthony reveals the latest top speedsters after another Glorious Goodwood
HORSE OF A LIFETIME
Graham Buddry pays fresh tribute to track legend Sea The Stars - surely one of the greatest ever
IT'S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
Paul Jacobs looks forward to seeing some big on-track questions answered
PLAYING TO THE WHISTLE
lan Heitman flies about to keep pace with a rush of two-year-old Flat action
WINNING JOY ON A BUDGET
Richard Eagle takes a trip to Windsor to check out peoples' route into the port of kings
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
ROCKING THE MONEY BAGS
Simon Nott reveals his recent experiences from trips to Brighton and Ascot
FLYING EVE'S BORN TO WIN
Nick Townsend talks to in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton