I had the privilege of being in the Ascot commentary box with Peter O'Sullevan that long ago day when I was just 12. Now I am a full time race commentator in the USA. But I will never forget that day.
I was at Ascot that day, I'd travelled down from Yorkshire to see Dessie in the flesh and was treated to one of the greatest races over jumps anywhere. I not only backed Dessie but also the other 5 winners on the card. I think in the closing stages Sir Peter says Dessie for the first time it had always been Desert Orchid to that point.
2 miles to 3 1/2 miles. Dessie won them all. Big heart. Never gave up. Won the gold cup in the mud and won the nations hearts. A true champion of the world.
6.32 David the Duke Nicholson offering his congratulations to Simon Sherwood and in doing so acknowledging a truly great horse the pat he gave him spoke volumes , he trained Long Engagement a decent horse in his own right
I recommend the book The Grey Horse: The True Story of Desert Orchid by his owner Richard Burridge. Janice liked to say she was 4ft 11 1/2 not just 4 ft 11. To sum her up in one word, he chose "bossy" and said she and Dessie suited each other. Of course she became a well known and popular face. Yes, who wouldn't to look after Dessie?
Peter O'Sullevan had a lot of nerve calling Desert Orchid the winner - nearly 30 years on and I still can't separate them at the finish. One of the great races.
I had the privilege of being in the Ascot commentary box with Peter O'Sullevan that long ago day when I was just 12. Now I am a full time race commentator in the USA. But I will never forget that day.
Still the greatest i've seen in my time.
Took the best on, time after time over all distances on any ground and beat them. Legend.
The greatest horse in the greatest race I’ve seen. This performance is phenomenal
I was at Ascot that day, I'd travelled down from Yorkshire to see Dessie in the flesh and was treated to one of the greatest races over jumps anywhere. I not only backed Dessie but also the other 5 winners on the card. I think in the closing stages Sir Peter says Dessie for the first time it had always been Desert Orchid to that point.
2 miles to 3 1/2 miles. Dessie won them all. Big heart. Never gave up. Won the gold cup in the mud and won the nations hearts. A true champion of the world.
the greatest imo and my fav of all time dessie
6.32 David the Duke Nicholson offering his congratulations to Simon Sherwood and in doing so acknowledging a truly great horse the pat he gave him spoke volumes , he trained Long Engagement a decent horse in his own right
By god, Dessie was brave, determined horse
The bravest of them all. Poetry in motion.
Memories. Grand. Subbed.
Wonderful Dessie. Heart of a Lion☺️😍
22 pound between them..enough said.....
Darling dessie❤
A legend of a horse with the heart of a Lion.
there'll never be another dessie. too many delicate french bred horses these days , not real home bred chasers with rags to riches stories
Yes. However his sire was a very very good flat horse I used to follow...placed in the Derby if I recall....Grey Mirage.
I'm sure at the time Janice Doyle ? Had the best job in racing looking after this brilliant horse!
Janice Coyle, just a polite correction....
I recommend the book The Grey Horse: The True Story of Desert Orchid by his owner Richard Burridge. Janice liked to say she was 4ft 11 1/2 not just 4 ft 11. To sum her up in one word, he chose "bossy" and said she and Dessie suited each other. Of course she became a well known and popular face. Yes, who wouldn't to look after Dessie?
Peter O'Sullevan had a lot of nerve calling Desert Orchid the winner - nearly 30 years on and I still can't separate them at the finish. One of the great races.
Sir Peter was on the line, the camera is at an angle so he probably had a better view
the only other chaser who attacked his fences like that was Tingle Creek
His lordship showing off what a horse man
It looked like a dead heat to me Dessie deserved it best horse 🐎 the bravest anyway 😊
Horses by nature are not NATURAL JUMPERS they have to be trained. Every now and again you find a horse who really enjoys it eg desert orchid.