For Horse Racing, 1963 was a very special year- probably more special than any other year in horse racing history. It would start at Cheltenham with the emergence of two outstanding young Irish bred chasers.... One, Mill House, would destroy top Irish chaser, Fortria, to romp home in the Gold Cup by twelve lengths. The other, Arkle, sauntered home in the Broadway Novices Chase and sowed the seed of the greatness that was to follow. Only a few weeks later- on the BBC’s Wednesday evening’s Sportsnight- John Lawrence (now Lord Oaksey) took part in a very unusual and innovative feature. He jumped the entire Grand National course as a passenger in a helicopter, giving a commentary as he went. His description of the last fence and run in was to become incredibly prophetic..... “You jump the last fence several lengths clear and, as you come to the elbow, you hear another horse’s hooves pounding behind you. Will you hold on?” Only three days later, John Lawrence’s mount, Carrickbeg, replicated his commentary but alas could not withstand the late surge of Teasy Weasy Raymond’s Ayala, ridden by Pat Buckley. The first colt’s Classic of the Flat season was won by aptly named Only For Life (Chanteur-Life Sentence), ridden by Jimmy Lindley and trained by Jeremy Tree. However, it was the 1000 Guineas which heralded the appearance of a great French filly, Hula Dancer. Having slaughtered both colts and fillies alike to win the Grand Criterium and Prix De La Salamandre as a two year old, she made hard work of winning at Newmarket, but it became obvious later that she hadn’t ‘come to hand.’ Victories in the Prix Impudence, Moulin, and Jacques Le Marois preceded her outstanding victory in the Champion Stakes – where she settled the issue in two strides. A truly outstanding filly. For the Derby that year, the picture was unclear. Merchant Venturer won the Dante Stakes but Paddy Prendergast’s beautifully conformed colt, Ragusa, was surprisingly beaten in Chester’s Dee Stakes by Harvey Leader’s My Myosotis. No-one realised at the time that this late May foal needed more time....much more time.....and later would show unbelievable progression. And so to Epsom... Favourite was the French horse, Relko, who proceeded to run away with the race from Merchant Venturer- with Ragusa running on for third. The Oaks was won by Ragusa’s stablemate and almost certainly the best filly ever to come out of Ireland, Noblesse. She had beaten the colts when hacking up in the Timeform Gold Cup as a two year old and, after sauntering up in her three year old Oaks trial, the Musidora Stakes, she sprinted ten lengths clear at Epsom to lay claim to being the best ever middle distance filly. Campaigned for The Arc, she went lame in her preparatory race, the Prix Vermeille, and never ran again. Ragusa meanwhile took on Relko in The Irish Derby but the latter injured himself before going in the stalls. His jockey, Yves St Martin, threw his whip down in anguish, and Ragusa proceeded to win with real authority- showing tremendous improvement from Epsom. He then improved further and went on to win the King George, Great Voltigeur, and St Leger. The other outstanding horse that year was the four year old French Colt, Exbury. Although he had a slow start to his career, Exbury improved beyond belief as a four year old- winning five top races and remaining unbeaten for that year. After winning the Prix Ganay, he came to the Derby meeting for the Coronation Cup. Anyone who saw that race will never forget it. The ground he made up and the incredible burst of speed he showed to slam previous year’s St Leger winner, Hethersett, had to be seen to be believed. He followed that by winning the G.P. de Saint Cloud and finished off the season with another fantastic burst to win the Arc De Triomphe. Certainly one of the very best four year old colts of the century. As if that wasn’t enough talent for the year, one of the greatest sires ever was winning two year old races on the other side of the Atlantic- Northern Dancer; and, as the year came to a close, a Dan Cupid yearling by the name of Sea Bird was housed over the Channel in Etienne Pollet’s stable. Yes, 1963 was quite a remarkable year for horses. Anyone else share any of these memories- or have you others to add?
Should be more of this stuff posted online. It's always nice to see some history relived. Some of us who know nothing about these great horses, revel in these kind of memories. Thanks Tam.
Good morning, Cyclonic. How are you keeping? What is your opinion of your ex pat "So You Think?" I thought he was a bit disappointing at Ascot and came to the conclusion that either he's 'overhyped'- or Rewilding is better than I think. What's your candid view?
One of my childhood memories isn't about champions, but a couple of pacing scrubber who came from New South Wales, to winter at the show grounds at the top of my street in Redcliffe, about an hour from Brisbane. I used to spend most of my after school hours at the stables, just hanging out. On the weekends I always made sure that I got to the track, a 400m training circuit used for all manner of things when the annual show hit the place. These pacers where always having long slow work pumped into them, so the animals had to lap the track for what to a kid, seemed an eternity. I loved it. Seeing them strapped and taken to work was a delight. I even loved the smell of horse dung. How strange is that? Anyway, an old couple from deep in New South Wales, where the weather tended to get a bit too chilly, spent their Winters touring up and down the Queensland coast, taking in country trot meetings in the process. They dragged a double horse box wherever they went. For reason easily understandable, they took a shine to me and asked if I'd like to go the races at the Redcliffe Paceway for an upcoming meeting where they had both horses entered. Once given permission by my parents, I was bundled into the car and off loaded with the neddies at the course. It was my first race meeting, and my excitement was palpable. It was a whole new world. Bookmakers, race cards, form guides, and a small crowd of happy, poorly dressed punters. As any child would, I was into the old gent for information, not so as to make a pound, as I wasn't interested in betting. I just wanted to know the ins and outs of everything. The gent and his wonderful lady must have seen me for what I was. With a wry smile, I was told to keep things under my hat. Both horses should just about win. The better chance, an aged gelding jumped straight to the front from the standing start, and defied them to run him down. He won by a couple of lengths, untouched. A couple of races later, the second horse, a mare, also went straight to the front, but she had to work her heart out to get home in front. If memory serves, she won in a photo. These memories are fifty years old, but they remain fresh and vibrant. I've been lucky enough to see a few champions in the flesh since then, but those kind people and their two pacers hold a special place in my race loving past.
I am very well Tam, thanks for asking. I hope thing are well for you and yours. I was shocked to see the horse's colours lowered in such a fashion. One of the problems I have now, is that I risk coming off a little sour about the defeat. I really thing that the horse was ridden badly. Why go for home so far out, when it opens the door to the only horse that had a chance to beat him. I don't know about all this stuff AOB reckons, in relation to having the horse underdone, but I hope he was right. I genuinely believe he's better that what we saw in the PoW. But I suppose we'll have to wait for the Eclipse to find out one way or the other. But I've been way off the mark in the past, and it won't be the last. As for Rewilding, I love the animal. I thought him a real chance in the Derby. I think he's matured no end since then. The big question will be just how much Workforce has muscled up during the break. I hope Canford Cliffs goes around too, what a race we'd have.
Cyclonic, lovely memories about the trotters! I have a similar one about my first visit to a racecourse. My father took me to Cartmel races at Whitsun- when he was acting as a runner for a bookie he knew from my home town of Burnley. The memories are so vivid, even now (extract from an old article I wrote).... "Glorious weather and picturesque setting; large marquee with ham sandwiches dearer than British Rail pork pies; loud-mouthed layer in garish , brown cheque suit, shouting obscenities to a fellow bookie who wouldn't give him a sub; and last, but not least, the ultimate coup de grace for a plump ten year old boy who had put a shilling each way on a local tip, Sannat Queen, at 100-7. Having seen the horse jump the last in front but be murdered on the run-in by the favourite, Reel In, to be then told that the race was 'win only' for seven runners! How I hated that bookie! I wasn't too keen on my father, neither, who did nothing about it. Never mind, ham and eggs on the way home made up for most."
Tamerlo: Nice article, and, indeed, 1963 was a special year.......... Cyclonic: Enjoyed your comments and little stories. On your last post, I guess I was a bit reluctant to say it before but it was a poor ride by Moore. We have not seen the last of SYT by a long chalk. The Eclipse is made for him, and I don't care who's in the race, they will all have to go to beat So You Think at this distance. Sandown was my local track from where I was born and raised, and a good horse can well lead all the way over middle and longer distances, and a champion that bursts clear after the long right-handed bend will see the race over and done with. That is what SYT will do.....that's what I think will happen anyway!..................
Filon, I seem to remember (long ago) a horse called Light Thrust trained by Walter Nightingall. I'm pretty sure he won quite a few races by leading all the way at Sandown over 10 furlongs. Have you any recollections of this horse- or any records/information? I thinbk he was close to top class and may have been owned by Winston Churchill.
Tamerlo: My records are disjointed (if that's the word) due to long spells abroad working, but will certainly check with what records I have. Walter's horses very often went from the front and made them all go. Didn't a horse of his just lose a Derby once after leading a lot of the way? Think so, will try to look that one up too.
Great article Tamerlo. I remember that Sportsnight (it wasn't yet Sportsnight with Coleman) as if it was yesterday. I think the only addition I can make to your impeccable list of great horses and winners was the Jakie Astor bred Trelawny winning both the Ascot Stakes and the Queen Alexandria Stakes at Royal Ascot, and beating the Astor's stable Grey of Falloden into second in the Queen Alexandria to boot (Astor having sold Trelawny and his brother Bill owning GoF). And nice to hear Harvey Leader's name: "Follow the Leader at Newmarket" And Walter Nightingale who always believed his horses should be out front. Glad you mentioned Exbury. He must have been a phenomenen that year. I was just getting interested in racing, the Grand National was second only to Christmas and Firework Night in those days.
Bustino, shame on me for not including Trelawny-one of my favourite horses. I rememember his winning the Ascot Stakes under 10st in a canter by four lengths. Either the year before- or after- he won it again with top weight - in a fantastic, desperate finish from his stablemate, Square Deal (both George Todd trained) and the Queen's Golden Oriole. What a stayer he was! The only time I ever saw him beaten was when giving weight for age to C. Boyd-Rochford's Sagacity- in the Goodwood Cup, I think. As for Exbury, my father was at Epsom to see him win the Coronation. He said his burst of speed was the most phenominal he ever saw in his lifetime.
Sorry Filon d'Or I hadn't seen your post when I posted. Think the horse you're talking about was I Say. He did have a classic winner in Niksar and when he retired didn't he pass on Lucyrowe, who was probably his best ever horse (actually he passed on Seventh Bride as well: not as good a horse but the dam of Polygamy) to Peter Walwyn as he became Louis Freedman's trainer.
Filon, Bustino- I think I Say and Niksar both ran in Sea Bird's Derby- and finished third and fourth, I think. I think Niksar was prominent most of the way, and I Say took over before Sea Bird made them all look like hacks. Lester Piggott's statement that he "would have won on Meadow Court if they had gone another half furlong" was undoubtedly the most ridiculous ever made by the great jockey- or any other for that matter.
Tamerlo You are right Poincelet rode I Say and Rickaby rode Niksar. Don't know why Duncan Keith wasn't riding, especially as he won on Niksar in the Guineas. Walwyn tells that when he became his stable jockey he had to bash into him that he didn't have to lead on every horse he rode. As regards Trelawny I'll check whether he won the Ascot Stakes in '64. There was no Queen Alexandria that year as the last two days of RA were washed out.
Tam excellent post,just what not606 needs more of,same goes for Nass and Cyc, always enjoy reading their articles
Great stuff Tamerlo. I was only four at the time so was not really aware of what was happening. But I lived in a household where the name Mill House was very important and I was aware that something massive had taken place that year. The following year I also started hearing the name Arkle quite a lot, normally preceded by a swearword! Of course 1963 was the year of the big freeze and I remember the snow in my home village literally coming up to my neck as mum took my elder brother to school with me reluctantly in tow. As a result there was a big gap in the jumping calendar and the going at Cheltenham was very soft, which no doubt helped Mill House that year. The big horse really did seem to be unbeatable right up to the 1964 Gold Cup. Ayala was trained just down the road from where I was living then so that was another name I remember hearing at the time. It's a shame I was just too young to really appreciate what was going on!
great post 1963 is before my time but even I am aware this was the year that Mill House and Arkle burst onto the scene. by the way what was TV coverage of racing like back then? I understand that it was covered more than today but I imagine that on a Saturday afternoon for example it would still be quite fragmented on the BBCs Grandstand?
Steveo, no, BBC coverage wasn't fragmented in the late fifties to late sixties. They covered four races on Saturday afternoons- and obviously limited midweek coverage and big meetings. The format was straightforward.....coverage started ten minutes before each race- with Clive Graham (Daily Express) giving a paddock analysis for all horses. Usually two betting shows and another just before the off. Commentary by Peter O'Sullevan (Daily Express) followed by one replay of the finish; starting prices and seeing them in the unsaddling enclosure. Then back for next race again -ten minutes before the off. It wasn't until Clive Graham retired and Julian Wilson took over in the seventies that things changed ie. coverage a minute or two- or even seconds- before the off. One betting show (if you were lucky) and no paddock analysis- just odd comments about two or three fancied horses. Their coverage then went progressively downhill.
