In other blog posts, we have talked at length about UK’s most famous racecourses and the country’s top talented jockeys. However, now it is time to discuss the most beloved heroes – the racehorses. As you will learn from the following paragraphs, Great Britain has been the home to many of the sport’s finest animals, whose fame has travelled way beyond the Kingdom’s borders.
That said, let us briefly mention that today’s horseracing sport is conducted according to the strictest measures for horse welfare. The industry is extremely focused on preserving the health and well-being of horses.
Galileo
Galileo, who sadly passed away in 2021 at 23 years of age, is one of the most successful UK racehorses of all time. This thoroughbred stallion made an impressive flat racing career, where he won six times out of eight starts.
However, his breakthrough came as a sire. He was named the 2001 European Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in 2011 after he won The Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes all in one year.
After the stallion retired, his fame spread throughout the world. His first title as a leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland came in 2008. With a slight break in 2009, he won this title every year until 2020. By the time he passed away, Galileo had sired 91 Group One winners. What is more, 20 of his sons, including Frankel and Australia, about whom we will talk in the paragraphs to follow, have sired Group One victors, too.
Frankel
One of Galileo’s sons, Frankel, has become another legend of the UK’s horseracing. Frankel was born in 2008 only to become the highest-rated horse in the world in May 2011. The stallion was unbeaten all throughout his 14-race career. His record includes wins at top events like 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Lockinge Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes, International Stakes, and Champion Stake.
Frankel was trained by the great Sir Henry Cecil. The brilliant Tom Queally would ride him in his races. By virtue of his success, Frankel also had a remarkable financial record. During his three-year Flat racing career, the racehorse amassed £2,998,302.
If you are curious to watch this amazing racehorse in action, here is a video of Frankel’s most iconic wins throughout his career:
Red Rum
Another horse that stole the spectators’ hearts was Red Rum. Foaled on May 7, 1965, Red Rum was a steeplechaser with a brave heart and remarkable abilities. He was known for his knack for jumping which kept him from falling in 100 races.
To this day, Red Rum is the only horse that won the Grand National three times. The most remarkable win was the 1973 Grand National, where he triumphed from 30 lengths behind. Red Rum’s owner was Noel le Mare, and his trainer was Ginger McCain. Red Rum also won the 1974 Scottish National. Throughout his career as a racehorse, Red Rum won £146,000 in prizes. This equine legend died on October 18, 1995.
Arkle
Arkle was another emblematic UK racehorse. The stallion was owned by Anne Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster. His owner named him after a mountain in Scotland that bordered with her Sutherland estate.
Arkle had two stellar trainers. Tom Dreaper trained him at Greenogue, and Kilsallaghan trained him in County Meath, Ireland. Prominent jockey Pat Taffle rode him during his steeplechasing career. Arkle had a Timeform rating of 212, which is the highest achieved by a steeplechaser. Unfortunately, the stallion passed away prematurely in 1970 after suffering an injury.
Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid has been dubbed as “the most charismatic racehorse of the 20th century” and for a good reason. The stallion was lovingly referred to as “Dessie,” and he gained a sort of a celebrity status in the UK. He even never ran in the Grand National at Aintree, a very dynamic and dangerous contest, because he was so adored by the public.
Nonetheless, Dessie made a remarkable career. He won four King George VI Chases, a Cheltenham Gold Cup, a Tingle Creek, and an Irish Grand National as well as many other trophies. The horse amassed £654,066 in prize funds. He was trained by horseracing genius David Elsworth and partnered with four talented jockeys: Colin Brown, Richard Linley, Simon Sherwood, Graham Bradley and Richard Dunwoody. Dessie passed away in 2006 at the age of 27.
Famous Irish Racehorses
Now that we have looked at some of the UK’s most celebrated racehorses, let us quickly take a peek at the Irish scene. The Irish are also known for their equestrian passion. That is why it is no wonder the Emerald Isle is the homeland of plenty of world-class racing stallions. Some of the most famous ones include:
- Dawn Run
- Sea The Stars
- Zarkava
- Yeats
- Istabraq
- High Chaparral
- Shergar
- New Approach
- And many more.