I was there when he won his first King George. I'm ashamed to admit I was waiting for him to fade about four out - he'd showed such speed in his two mile races. I couldn't believe it when he just kept on galloping. The sheer versatality of his performances marks him out. I didn't learn my lesson; I'd been backing Yahoo all that winter - I stood to win £13,800 - the sum is etched on my memory - and when he jumped the last just in front I thought, given his proven stamina and love of heavy ground, he must win. But seeing Dessie overhaul him was at least some compensation. We need another Dessie now.
That was quite a sum of money back then friend. I'm sure it must've stung a bit because I also thought Yahoo was going to win jumping the last as he loved the ground & Dessie hated it. Very gracious of you.👍 Yeah after Dessie only Kauto Star came close.
His owner, Richard Burridge, wrote a book entitled "The Grey Horse - The True Story of Desert Orchid", which I have read more times than any other book. I am not a betting man; it spoils a good race for me. I've always been an enthusiast (I have ridden myself, though not racing), and his book is just brilliant, and goes behind the myth. I loved this horse, and still do. I was lucky enough to see this horse in the flesh, and I have never forgotten him. A wonderful, brilliant, brave, classy horse.
I have this video though nothing to play it on now, thanks for this upload so I can again enjoy watching my favourite horse of all time. I was at Ascot for the Victor Chandler and Cheltenham for the Gold cup just to see Dessie. I never did see a video of his full career. After the 88/89 season Dessie went on to win 2 more King George VI Chases in '89 and '90, the Racing Post Chase and the Irish Grand National both in 1990 and the Gainsborough Chase for the 3rd time in 1991. Dessie was retired after falling in the 1991 King George VI Chase. His career total was 70 runs, 34 wins, 11 2nd and 8 3rd places.
Wonderful video. Great memories of the amazing grey Desert Orchid. Bravest & most determined horse I've ever seen. Really happy to have been around to watch his career.
it saddens me to think people think arkle was the greatest steeplechaser ever, how can you say that when DO did everything and more than arkle ever did.
He was the greatest. 2 miles to 3 and a half. Any going. gold Cup on SNOW - yes snow as we drove over Prestbury Hill that day to Whitbread on firm. And so often giving lumps and lumps of weight in handicaps. None have ever done so much. And those King George’s ......best Christmas present ever. My hero.
Wonderful decision by his owners NOT to run him in the Grand National. Lucky horse to have such caring owners, who knew his aversion to left-handed tracks and his difficulties jumping safely to the left when tired. At the Canal Turn, second time around, he would easily have been in harm’s way for that reason. GOOD OWNERS. And he lived a long life on sound legs, with the heart and looks of a true champion. ☘️🌿
Desert Orchid, I still remember every race like it was yesterday. What wonderful racing days these were with a great racing team on C4 plus the Voice of Racing on BBC Peter O'Sullivan and you know what you could actually get a real bet on in those days yes not 50p ew and band if you back 3 in a row that shortens up.
So Many times giving lumps of weight away 2 stone or more ( for those of brought up in kilos 13.70 K). Amazing gold cup victory in bottomless ground on a left hand track (he did jump out to his right) no wonder the King George at Kempton was his favourite hunting ground.
DON'T ANYONE SAY ARKLE WAS THE GREAEST STEEPECHASER JUST LOOK AT WHAT DESERT ORCHID ACCOMPLISHED AND MOST OF THE TIME WITH TOP WEIGHT. JUST LOOK AT THE IRISH GOLD CUP THE DISTANCE HE WON AND CARRYING TOP WEIGHT, WHICH WAS A GREATER DISTANCE THAN ARKLE 'S WIN.
@@thepenguin1321 Waffling nonsense, well you idiot, before and since arkle fences had been changed and distances shortened. and rating didn;t come in until the 50s and dessie carried the same weight as arkle giving a horse 36lbs at sandown, also gave over 30lbs to the 2nd in the irish gold cup and beating of over 14 lengths where arkle only beat the 2nd by length and half, The best horse of all was called golden miller he won 5 gold cups plus a national inbetween and set the course record. So i suggest you have no idea what you are talking about regarding racing and horses.
@@thepenguin1321 you are a twerp. You know nothing about racing or TB's. Come on you idiot when did they change the fences to make it easier for them to jump. Think you're idiot here. So justify YOUR reason why arkle is supposedly the best. No doubt you will have to google it.
Amazing horse, that Gold Cup commentary and the roar of the crowd still the best moment in horse racing for me
From the U.S.A. God Bless You Desert Orchid....!! Best I have ever seen..what heart....
Dessie was one of the all-time greats. He's still as popular now, as he was in the 80s
#Legend
I was there when he won his first King George. I'm ashamed to admit I was waiting for him to fade about four out - he'd showed such speed in his two mile races. I couldn't believe it when he just kept on galloping. The sheer versatality of his performances marks him out. I didn't learn my lesson; I'd been backing Yahoo all that winter - I stood to win £13,800 - the sum is etched on my memory - and when he jumped the last just in front I thought, given his proven stamina and love of heavy ground, he must win. But seeing Dessie overhaul him was at least some compensation. We need another Dessie now.
That was quite a sum of money back then friend. I'm sure it must've stung a bit because I also thought Yahoo was going to win jumping the last as he loved the ground & Dessie hated it. Very gracious of you.👍 Yeah after Dessie only Kauto Star came close.
Simply the best will never see his like again he did it all
His owner, Richard Burridge, wrote a book entitled "The Grey Horse - The True Story of Desert Orchid", which I have read more times than any other book. I am not a betting man; it spoils a good race for me. I've always been an enthusiast (I have ridden myself, though not racing), and his book is just brilliant, and goes behind the myth. I loved this horse, and still do. I was lucky enough to see this horse in the flesh, and I have never forgotten him. A wonderful, brilliant, brave, classy horse.
Thanks to you i've got the book and yes, it is marvellous- and i've lent it to a neighbour who really enjoyed it too
I have this video though nothing to play it on now, thanks for this upload so I can again enjoy watching my favourite horse of all time. I was at Ascot for the Victor Chandler and Cheltenham for the Gold cup just to see Dessie. I never did see a video of his full career. After the 88/89 season Dessie went on to win 2 more King George VI Chases in '89 and '90, the Racing Post Chase and the Irish Grand National both in 1990 and the Gainsborough Chase for the 3rd time in 1991. Dessie was retired after falling in the 1991 King George VI Chase. His career total was 70 runs, 34 wins, 11 2nd and 8 3rd places.
Wonderful video. Great memories of the amazing grey Desert Orchid. Bravest & most determined horse I've ever seen. Really happy to have been around to watch his career.
it saddens me to think people think arkle was the greatest steeplechaser ever, how can you say that when DO did everything and more than arkle ever did.
He was the greatest. 2 miles to 3 and a half. Any going. gold Cup on SNOW - yes snow as we drove over Prestbury Hill that day to Whitbread on firm. And so often giving lumps and lumps of weight in handicaps. None have ever done so much. And those King George’s ......best Christmas present ever. My hero.
Wonderful decision by his owners NOT to run him in the Grand National. Lucky horse to have such caring owners, who knew his aversion to left-handed tracks and his difficulties jumping safely to the left when tired. At the Canal Turn, second time around, he would easily have been in harm’s way for that reason. GOOD OWNERS. And he lived a long life on sound legs, with the heart and looks of a true champion. ☘️🌿
But big mistake not to retire him after the gold cup. He fell at Aintree
bought this for me dad when i was 7 for his birthday this how i started my love for horse racing
What a grand discovery this was: much appreciated.
This horse would have been a classic in the grand national
i thouroghly enjoyed this, thanks
At Kempton, Sandown, Ascot and Wincanton he was 20lbs better then he was at Liverpool and Cheltenham.
Desert Orchid, I still remember every race like it was yesterday. What wonderful racing days these were with a great racing team on C4 plus the Voice of Racing on BBC Peter O'Sullivan and you know what you could actually get a real bet on in those days yes not 50p ew and band if you back 3 in a row that shortens up.
My Dad was a Desert Rat, he would always have 2 bob (10p) on any horse with Desert in its name.
I hope you're father didn't miss that Derby Winner Desert Crown 👍
Sorry friend I just realised what you said, about your father being a Desert Rat, you're father was a silent hero friend.🙏
The greatest steeplechaser since Arkle he was a wonder horse from 2m to 3m5f ain’t nothing like him in this day and age
So Many times giving lumps of weight away 2 stone or more ( for those of brought up in kilos 13.70 K). Amazing gold cup victory in bottomless ground on a left hand track (he did jump out to his right) no wonder the King George at Kempton was his favourite hunting ground.
i often wonder what his cruising speeds over 2 and 3 miles plus, they must have been fairly high.
king of kings
My granddad had this on VHS.
How Kildimo must have been sick of that whitetail.
Always gave 100 per cent 😍rip
Brillant
Wasn't he beautiful.
DON'T ANYONE SAY ARKLE WAS THE GREAEST STEEPECHASER JUST LOOK AT WHAT DESERT ORCHID ACCOMPLISHED AND MOST OF THE TIME WITH TOP WEIGHT. JUST LOOK AT THE IRISH GOLD CUP THE DISTANCE HE WON AND CARRYING TOP WEIGHT, WHICH WAS A GREATER DISTANCE THAN ARKLE 'S WIN.
Barbara Dyson Sorry but Arkle was the greatest chaser of all time. The fact they had to rewrite the rule book to accommodate him says it all.
true arkle beat a former australian showjumper who was third to arkle dessie would have trounced arkle
@@thepenguin1321 Waffling nonsense, well you idiot, before and since arkle fences had been changed and distances shortened. and rating didn;t come in until the 50s and dessie carried the same weight as arkle giving a horse 36lbs at sandown, also gave over 30lbs to the 2nd in the irish gold cup and beating of over 14 lengths where arkle only beat the 2nd by length and half, The best horse of all was called golden miller he won 5 gold cups plus a national inbetween and set the course record. So i suggest you have no idea what you are talking about regarding racing and horses.
@@thepenguin1321 you are a twerp. You know nothing about racing or TB's. Come on you idiot when did they change the fences to make it easier for them to jump. Think you're idiot here. So justify YOUR reason why arkle is supposedly the best. No doubt you will have to google it.
@@Iainnick1 All the evidence provided to us shows otherwise
Was that a young Simon Holt commentating when Dessie ran in the Jim Ford Chase?
I think it's Ben Newton commentating
can't understand a word the announcer at the beginning is saying. cute way to start a documentary
Big mistake by owner to run Dessie in race after the gold cup. Too greedy
Yes and it was the only time he lost with Simon Sherwood
Thought Dessie would stay and was a certainty had a bet with my brother mug backed Bolands Cross
Arkle Flyingbolt Mill House Denman Desert Orchid Burrough Hill Lad enough said
One minute dessie is tiring then he's coming again. O'Sullivan make your mind up.
It wasn't just O'Sullivan who thought he was going to be beaten- but Dessie's heart was incredible. He was tired and he still won.
who does might bite but you in mind of, a certain desert orchid
"STUPID BLOODY ADVERT
That’s the rub with Kauto Star he never did what Dessie did he never could he wasn’t that good giving weight to inferior horses simple as that