Very occasionally racing comes across a truly exceptional talent who ignites admiration, adulation and imagination in the whole population. Arkle, Red Rum and Desert Orchid are just three of these equine megastars, but what happens when they are beaten, found to be mortal after all, their racing days waning and over with no way back? Injury or a rare fall usually allows these superheroes to gracefully retire with their reputation intact and their place in the collective hearts of a nation cemented forever.
Occasionally some equine superstars go on too long, a single brave defeat becomes a string of losses in lesser and lesser events until they are fondly remembered as just very good horses whose status was tarnished by going to the well too often but every rule has an exception somewhere and that exception went by the name of Kauto Star.
Already a legend of the turf, Kauto Star had won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, the King George four times, matching Desert Orchid’s record, the Betfair chase three times and the Tingle Creek twice among many other successes. He was loved by all, a true star of the steeplechasing world but now he was in sad decline.
He had fallen in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup when his chance had realistically gone. At the start of the following season he had won the JNwine Champion Chase at Down Royal for the second time but that seemed to be the last of the glory days.
Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra November 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.
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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