Just had to mention that Cheltenham (UK) racing today featured another amazing horse called Big Bucks. He has just won his 15th consecutive hurdle race. He is a staying hurdler, a huge near black horse he must be over 17hands (I'll have to check this and he looks like he's travelling in neutral gear even when he's excelerating! he simply walks over his opponents. He is another GREAT HORSE, like KAUTO STAR also ridden by Ruby Walsh trained by Paul Nicholls.
I looked up some statistics and the record for consecutive hurdle wins is held by a horse called Sir Ken who had 16 wins in the 1950's. Among the lists I found the famous US horse John Henry who holds a record for winning consecutive 16 grade 1 races. So its quite an achievement for doing the same over 3mile staying hurdle races 16 times in a row!
I'll see if I can find a photo of him later and put some more interesting statistics online. I had never heard of some of these horses. I found a horse called Kincsem who holds the overall record of consecutive wins. Am wondering if there are any bloodlines in breeding farms today. Having won 54 races for 54 starts she was foaled in Hungary in 1874, she is a national icon there, as she won all her races against both female and male company at various course throughout Europe, a record that's still unbeaten.
Big Bucks will win the World Hurdle again at the Cheltenham Festival horse racing in March blindfolded with John McCrirrick on his back. He's so good. It's just a shame that he is still overshadowed in some quarters by the long distance chasers.
ReplyDeletetotally agree with you. I watched him run at Newbury way back on his first return back to hurdles. John McCrirrick on board...not so sure...for any of you other out there John is an amazing character a TV presenter "bit like Sherlock Holmes in Texas". He's no fake either. I met him myself in Arizona one year, and like an idiot I had to say hello. He was charming. I credit that Morning Line commentary "banter" for helping me get through gruelling treatment and laugh a little. I would look forward to that every Saturday morning.
Delete