Desert Orchid has died

[Uncle Spielberg]

Because it is an animal , it has no worth to mankind whatsover, it is just good for dog food ( NSC philosophy ). The fact is was loved by millions of race fans and was a unique character who had a never give up attitude ( nearly said never say die but thought that would give an excuse for a hilarious joke ) he was a very special animal. He won 4 King George races in a row and the Cheltenham Gold cup and countless other big races. He was invited to lead the Gold cup horses allow the turf at cheltenham which he did do until this year. The old fella knew he was at cheltenham and would have raced at 26 if he was allowed to. A real character.

He nearly died at 14 with colic but made a miraculous recovery and was a fondly remember horse thats courage and spirit was a joy to see. He was a celebrity opening supermarkets and shows.

I like many others thought his win at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989 was the greatest ever sporting moment. He simply refused to be beaten with ground against him in the hardest jumping race of the year and was 2 lenghts down and tiring in the final furlong but summoned the strength to win on the line was truely wonderful.

but hey its only a horse, lots of childish jokes to be made and take the piss out of people.

NSC really is shit nowadays.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Gubbers loss is Super Glue's gain

you are a disgrace

 

[aftershavedave]

Because it is an animal , it has no worth to mankind whatsover, it is just good for dog food ( NSC philosophy ). The fact is was loved by millions of race fans and was a unique character who had a never give up attitude ( nearly said never say die but thought that would give an excuse for a hilarious joke ) he was a very special animal. He won 4 King George races in a row and the Cheltenham Gold cup and countless other big races. He was invited to lead the Gold cup horses allow the turf at cheltenham which he did do until this year. The old fella knew he was at cheltenham and would have raced at 26 if he was allowed to. A real character.

He nearly died at 14 with colic but made a miraculous recovery and was a fondly remember horse thats courage and spirit was a joy to see. He was a celebrity opening supermarkets and shows.

I like many others thought his win at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989 was the greatest ever sporting moment. He simply refused to be beaten with ground against him in the hardest jumping race of the year and was 2 lenghts down and tiring in the final furlong but summoned the strength to win on the line was truely wonderful.

but hey its only a horse, lots of childish jokes to be made and take the piss out of people.

NSC really is shit nowadays.

awwwwww

 

[Albion Rob]

He was a fine horse, shame he couldn't stick around furlong.

 

[Stat Brother]

The 1989 GC, would have to go into my, up dating of the 100 great sporting moments thread, from a few days ago.

 

[Man of Harveys]

Lordy lordy, it's only a horse! Gareth, are you vegetarian? Because if you feel this strongly about animals, it'd be a bit strong of you not to be.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Obituary: Desert Orchid

After retirement Desert Orchid became a regular at charity events
Desert Orchid, or simply 'Dessie' to his millions of fans, created history by becoming the only horse to win the King George VI Chase four times.
The sight of the grey flying over the fences at Kempton Park or Cheltenham was one of the most memorable in National Hunt racing.

And when he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989, three cheers rang out among his thousands of adoring followers as he was being unsaddled.

Yet his success nearly did not happen.

He fell at the first in a novice hurdle at Kempton in 1983 and when he took ages to get to his feet, it seemed the race might have been his last.

Desert Orchid was a grey gelding by Grey Mirage out of Flower Child. After initially impressing as a novice, his early career was undistinguished.

In 1984-85 he won only one out of eight starts - he was pulled up in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow and, on his final outing of the season, fell at Ascot.

: COMMENT 606
Some of my fondest memories of racing are watching the great grey

HH
606: Have your say

That changed his fortunes was switching to bigger fences. On Boxing Day at Kempton in 1986, he ran out a spectacular 15-length winner over Door Latch.

One of his best seasons was in 1988. After winning the South West Pattern Chase at Wincanton, Dessie went on to take the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown, before his second King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

He then landed the Victor Chandler at Ascot and the Gainsborough Chase at Sandown.


Desert Orchid won 34 of his 70 races

But his career highlight came at the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup, a longer race than he was used to. The rain and snow had fallen relentlessly at Cheltenham, making the going heavy.

Not only did he not like the conditions, he also did not like left-handed courses.

A crowd of more than 58,000 witnessed Desert Orchid's huge effort in overhauling the mud-loving Yahoo up the long hill to the finish.

After his length-and-a-half victory, Dessie's rider, Simon Sherwood, said: "I've never known a horse so brave. He hated every step of the way in the ground and dug as deep as he could possibly go."

He was 4-6 favourite for the King George again the following Boxing Day, and did not disappoint.

Third place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1990 preceded his convincing win in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, despite being given the top weight of 12 stone.

Then, once again on his annual Boxing Day outing at Kempton Park, he won his historic fourth King George.

Dessie retired in December 1991 and survived a life-threatening operation the following year.

He became a regular at charity events all over the country, and was included in the pageant for the Queen Mother's 90th birthday celebrations.

Desert Orchid won 34 of his 70 starts, amassing £650,000 in prize money.

He was loved as the most talented chaser of his era, and was a great advertisement for the sport of steeplechasing.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Lordy lordy, it's only a horse! Gareth, are you vegetarian? Because if you feel this strongly about animals, it'd be a bit strong of you not to be.

point missed entirely

 

[aftershavedave]

After retirement Desert Orchid became a regular at charity events

gawd bless him

 

[Man of Harveys]

point missed entirely

Point to point missed entirely?

 

[Albion Rob]

I am fecking devasted by that, he was my favourite Horse ever. The 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup win is my favourite ever sporting moment

Eh? Better than the playoff final? Better than Zamora's goal at Peterborough? Better than the 1983 FA Cup semi final win?

Man, you really DO love horses, don't you?

Here, have a sugar cube.

*extends sickly sweet hand to Garth*

 

[Redhead]

Wow that must have been one fast horse to win all those races. Sorry US.

 

[bhaexpress]

Point to point missed entirely?

You've flat out missed the point, I think you could be Horse Raceist ! I think this post is passed.

 

[El Presidente]

Crumbs, for one horrible moment I thought someone had wanked themselves to death watching the FA Cup goals loop on the BBC.

 

[Albion Rob]

Crumbs, for one horrible moment I thought someone had wanked themselves to death watching the FA Cup goals loop on the BBC.

Genuine LOL.

 

[bhaexpress]

Look if you were in Desert Orchid's shoes .....





You'd walk funny !

 

[Trigger]

Because it is an animal , it has no worth to mankind whatsover, it is just good for dog food ( NSC philosophy ). The fact is was loved by millions of race fans and was a unique character who had a never give up attitude ( nearly said never say die but thought that would give an excuse for a hilarious joke ) he was a very special animal. He won 4 King George races in a row and the Cheltenham Gold cup and countless other big races. He was invited to lead the Gold cup horses allow the turf at cheltenham which he did do until this year. The old fella knew he was at cheltenham and would have raced at 26 if he was allowed to. A real character.

He nearly died at 14 with colic but made a miraculous recovery and was a fondly remember horse thats courage and spirit was a joy to see. He was a celebrity opening supermarkets and shows.

I like many others thought his win at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989 was the greatest ever sporting moment. He simply refused to be beaten with ground against him in the hardest jumping race of the year and was 2 lenghts down and tiring in the final furlong but summoned the strength to win on the line was truely wonderful.

but hey its only a horse, lots of childish jokes to be made and take the piss out of people.

NSC really is shit nowadays.

Quite right Glover.

 

[Trufflehound]

I think this thread is ready for the knacker's yard.

 

[Meade's Ball]

My favourite horse was Dobbin, the carpet-skin transporter with evil in his hooves and a dwarf hidden in his legs.

 

[magoo]

was apparently surrounded by friends , family and Neeeiiiggghhhhhbours