Johnson, Richard: set a record of 17 failed attempts to win the National this year
A-Z of Horse Racing (Part 2)
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Kevin Fancy - novice chaser trained by John Upson.
Beaten about 200 lengths at Towcester in January after which the horse was given an official rating of 13. Returned to the same course in April where this time he finished a mere 43 lengths off the winner.
This improved effort resulted in a rise of 43lb to a mark of 56.
Beaten about 200 lengths at Towcester in January after which the horse was given an official rating of 13. Returned to the same course in April where this time he finished a mere 43 lengths off the winner.
This improved effort resulted in a rise of 43lb to a mark of 56.
Northern Dancer - stood for $10,000 (Canadian) in 1964 with a 'no live foal no fee' contingency.
20 years later his covering price had risen to $1m (US) with no live foal guarantee. This is by some distance the highest known fee ever charged for the services of a thoroughbred stallion.
(Taking into account the exchange rates of the time, and allowing for inflation, $1m back then is getting on for £1.9m now. Frankel's covering fee is currently £125,000.)
20 years later his covering price had risen to $1m (US) with no live foal guarantee. This is by some distance the highest known fee ever charged for the services of a thoroughbred stallion.
(Taking into account the exchange rates of the time, and allowing for inflation, $1m back then is getting on for £1.9m now. Frankel's covering fee is currently £125,000.)
Oath, the last of Cecil's 4 Derby winners in 1999, beautifully bred by Fairy King (a full brother to Sadlers Wells) out of a Troy mare he ran once after Epsom in the King George but was well beaten but had broken a bone in his knee and never raced again. He is currently at stud in India.
Perpetual Trophy - one of those you get to keep instead of having to take it back the following year for presentation to somebody else.
Royal Ascot has 3 such trophies namely the Gold Cup, Queen's Vase & the Royal Hunt Cup.
Royal Ascot has 3 such trophies namely the Gold Cup, Queen's Vase & the Royal Hunt Cup.
Royal Hunt Cup. Established in 1843 only one horse, Master Vote in 1947 and 48, has ever won the race twice.
Straps - the dress code for women in the Royal Enclosure at Ascot states that dresses with a strap of less than 1 inch in width are not permitted.
Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps are also proscribed.
Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps are also proscribed.
Tributes to Henry Cecil include a minutes silence at the course tomorrow and the renaming of a race won a record 8 times by him to the "The Queen's Vase In Memory of Sir Henry Cecil."
Until 1955 divorcees were not allowed to enter the Royal Enclosure.
Reportedly, undischarged bankrupts are still unwelcome and admission of ex-prisoners (Jeffrey Archer, Jonathan Aitken, Chris Huhne etc.) is at the discretion of officials.
Reportedly, undischarged bankrupts are still unwelcome and admission of ex-prisoners (Jeffrey Archer, Jonathan Aitken, Chris Huhne etc.) is at the discretion of officials.
EZZoud - Michael Stoute trained horse whose form was in and out but when he put his best foot forward proved top class.
Beaten twice in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot but won the International Stakes at York in both 1993 & 1994 and the Eclipse Stakes also in 1994.
Beaten twice in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot but won the International Stakes at York in both 1993 & 1994 and the Eclipse Stakes also in 1994.
Cremorne - 1872 Derby winner.
Back in the days when a horse was classed as a non-stayer if it couldn't get 2m 4f, Cremorne became the first of three* Derby winners to go on and win the 2m 6f Queen Alexandra Stakes.
*Four if you include Robert The Devil.
Back in the days when a horse was classed as a non-stayer if it couldn't get 2m 4f, Cremorne became the first of three* Derby winners to go on and win the 2m 6f Queen Alexandra Stakes.
*Four if you include Robert The Devil.
Discontinued. Today's Prince of Wales Stakes first run in 1862 was discontinued in 1940. It returned in 1968 ahead of the investiture of Prince Charles in its present format as a 10f race open to 4yos and up, the winner that year was Royal Palace.
Quote:
“Until 1955 divorcees were not allowed to enter the Royal Enclosure.”
“Until 1955 divorcees were not allowed to enter the Royal Enclosure.”
Gilbey, Quintin - commentator & journalist.
Sometime in the late 1930s Gilbey was refused entry to the Royal Enclosure as a commentator because he had appeared in a divorce case. A footman's uniform was found from somewhere. Gilbey put it on and was let in unhindered by officials.
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