Horse Racing Tips
Where does Red Rum rank among the greatest horses of all time?
During his distinguished career, Red Rum established himself as the greatest horse to compete in the Grand National. No competitor in the history of the most prestigious meeting in the sport triumphed more than the bay gelding. His total of three victories at the event are yet to be beaten in the 40 years since his retirement. Elite horses have attempted to match his accomplishment, but not a single one has managed to win twice. Red Rum stands alone in the history of the Grand National, arguably the toughest of all tests for a racehorse.
However, his record outside of the event at Aintree was not as distinguished, winning only the Scottish Grand National at Ayr Racecourse, while also notably losing to Red Candle at the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury Racecourse. There are competitors who boast a stronger resume outside of one race than Red Rum’s, which could give them an edge in the argument of the greatest National Hunt horse of all time.
Arkle
The Irish horse has the credentials to match Red Rum, although the two horses never crossed paths on the track. He dominated the decade before Ginger McCain’s charge, putting forward truly great performances on the big stage. Arkle was a legend of Cheltenham Festival, winning the Gold Cup three years on the bounce between 1964 and 1966. The bay gelding’s success resulted in the Arkle Challenge Trophy being named in his honour in 1969. It was not just at Cheltenham Racecourse where he thrived.
It’s truly a pub debate whether you would take Arkle or Red Rum in a head-to-head duel.
Tom Dreaper’s charge also won the Hennessy Gold Cup twice along with single triumphs in the King George VI Chase, Punchestown Gold Cup and the Irish Grand National. Arkle did not compete in the Grand National and his last race before retirement was the King George VI Chase in 1966 where he suffered an injury in the early stages of the meet, but still managed to finish second – the hallmark of a truly great competitor.
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Desert Orchid
David Elsworth’s charge could also lay claim to the crown. He raced in the decade after Red Rum, notching multiple crowns on the big stage during the 1980s and into the first year of the 1990s. His level of dominance stretched across the decade, boasting a greater longevity over his two contemporaries. Desert Orchid was truly home at Kempton Park and his speciality, the King George VI. The grey gelding won the meet four times – securing three titles on the bounce between 1988 and 1990 after notching his maiden crown in 1986. Only Kauto Star eclipsed his feat, highlighting his dominance during his career.
Desert Orchid was also part of an elite group of horses to win the Gainsborough Chase three times, following in the footsteps of Mill House and Burrough Hill Lad. He claimed the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989 and was only denied a second victory on the bounce by a stunning performance from outsider Norton’s Coin. However, in the same campaign, he added the Irish Grand National and Racing Post Chase to his collection of crowns. It’s a matter of splitting hairs between the trio of horses and only a race between them could settle the debate. Unfortunately, it’s one we’ll never get to witness.
Kauto Star
A most unusual racehorse, the Paul Nicholls-trained Kauto Star remains to be the only horse ever to be top rated over two miles, two-and-a-half miles and three miles in one season. This son of Village Star ran in 41 races, over hurdles and fences, winning 23 of them including two victories at Cheltenham and one at Aintree.
From his first Grade 1 win in 2005, the Tingle Creek Trophy Chase, he won 15 further Grade 1 races over his 11-year career. Among these were two Cheltenham Gold Cups, which put Kauto Star in the company of the very best chasers of all time.
The French-bred gelding also has four Betfair Chases to his name (2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011), which still remains a record to this day. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ recently retired stable star Bristol De Mai got the closest to tipping Kauto Star off the Betfair Chase throne, racking up three wins of the race in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
Usually partnered by 11-time Leading Jockey at the Cheltenham Festival, Kauto Star’s peak Official Rating was 193, awarded after his 36-length win of the King George VI Chase in 2009.
He was truly remarkable and remains peerless in versatility.
Altior
Trained by Nicky Henderson for the duration of his career, Altior is revered as an unsurpassable living legend. From 26 starts over his seven years on the racecourse, he won 21 races and accumulated over £1.3million in prize money.
His best winning streak wasn’t broken until he had tallied up 19 consecutive wins between the ages of five and nine years old. No other UK National Hunt horse has broken this record yet. The Latin ‘Altior’ translates to ‘higher’ – there is not a more appropriate word with which to describe this incredible athlete.
Altior’s most important and prestigious wins were two Champion Chases at the Cheltenham Festival, the first of which he won by seven lengths. In total, the gelding won 10 Grade 1 races and achieved a peak Official Rating of 183 over fences.
Ridden principally by Henderson’s stable jockey, Nico de Boinville, Altior’s success is arguably wholly responsible for shaping de Boinville’s early success in the top races of the season.
