Anyone who knows anything about racing has heard of Ribot, Sea-Bird II, Secretariat, Nijinsky, Frankel and dozens of other equine superstars who have become immortalized over the years. Occasionally lesser lights have captured the public imagination or performed highly unusual feats for their names to be forever remembered, yet there is one group of horses who are a most unusual exception, known by a great many connoisseurs of racing yet they generally don’t recognise their actual significance.
In August 1849 the now-defunct Lincoln racecourse inaugurated a new race over two miles, to be called the Lincolnshire handicap. It was only a moderate success. Four years later, in 1853, they incorporated another new race over 1½ miles to be run in the late spring of that year bearing the name Lincoln Spring handicap.
That, too, was only average success. After another two years of trying, the races were merged into one, still bearing the title of the Lincolnshire handicap, but now run in March and shortened to just one mile and this proved the unmitigated triumph they had been striving for. Big fields with a parade of all the runners in front of the stands before cantering to post gave it a certain prestige and it quickly became a huge betting race, soon to become known as the first leg of the “Spring Double” along with the Grand National. It wasn’t until the race moved to Doncaster in 1965 on the closing of Lincoln racecourse at the end of the previous season that the race first bore the title of the Lincoln handicap.
Despite its early-season prominence, the race was far removed from the top echelons of the sport and winners of this race are generally forgotten before too long, but 12 of them hold a unique place in history.
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
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
CAL'S UP TO TOP SPEED
John Anthony keeps close watch on the top ranking track fliers
ACTION REPLAY
Graham Buddry recalls the exploits of legendary hurdler Large Action
SHADOW IN THE LIMELIGHT
lan Heitman follows the fortunes of next year’s leading Classic prospects
GONE WILDE
Rolf Johnson fears the effects of a thoroughbred market bubble’
DIGGING OUT THE JUMPERS
The former Sky Racing frontman is all geared up for the change of codes and clothing
MORE AMO FOR RALPH
Dave Youngman shares the joy and gossip from the Newmarket gallops
GO COSMIC NEXT YEAR
Andy Ayres shares his pick of punting prospects from the autumn action
NICO'S CAREER LEAP TO GLORY
Nick Townsend talks to Nico de Boinville about his life-changing choices
ALL SET FOR FRESH START
Karl Hedley is on the spot for the new season action across Ireland
DAN'S GRAND BID DAWNING
Paul Ferguson tracks a route for Skeltons from Carlisle to Aintree