Famous Race Horses - Desert Orchid

Easily one of, if not the most popular racehorse in UK horse racing history, is undoubtedly the great grey, Desert Orchid, who was affectionately known as 'Dessie".

There's something about a grey horse that stands out amongst others. I suppose its that although not rare, they are not as popular as bay, chestnut etc, and so stand out as a white knight in a blur of dark horses. And Dessie was exactly that, a white knight.

How It All Started

Desert Orchid was born on 11 April 1979 to the aptly named Sire (father) Grey Mirage, and to Dam (mother) Flower Child.

His horse racing debut was in 1983, but did not exactly start as planned, as he fell at the first fence at a race at Kempton. The fall was a heavy one and many wondered whether he'd recover to race competitively again, but despite this early setback, Dessie was already showing the courage that would adorn him to millions of fans.

I must admit that I did not see his first race, but what would ensue was something that I did witness, and boy am I glad that I did.

Dessie Gets Off The Mark

At the start of the 1983/84 season, Dessie was up and running, winning his first race of the season by 20 lengths at Ascot. In fact the season proved to be a successful one for Dessie and got him the attention that he would keep for the remainder of his career, as he would rack up six wins from eight starts in that season.

But the following season saw him struggle once again. After the success of the previous season, he was no longer eligible for running in novice races and the step up in class showed.

He would go on and win only one of his eight starts that season, at Sandown in the February, but as many horses do when stepping up amongst a better class of horse, Dessie struggled to aclimatise.

A Change Worked Wonders

After that season, trainer David Elsworth decided to switch Dessie to the bigger obstacles, this time racing in steeplechasing races, rather than hurdles, and he immediately looked and felt more at home.

He would run up a sequence of four wins at Exeter, Sandown and twice at Ascot, and his famous front running style was proving hard to beat, but proving to be hugely popular with horse racing fans.

At the start of the 1986 season, he would feature regularly in the top three places, but failed to win a race until the November, when he would win at Sandown.

He would also taste success twice in December, winning a two mile handicap chase at Ascot, followed up by victory on Boxing Day at Kempton by a massive 15 lengths, against a hugely impressive field, that included Door Latch, Forgive 'n' Forget and Wayward Lad.

Dessie Starts A Rich Vein Of Form

This impressive and consistent form would lead Dessie nicely into the 1987 season, with wins at Sandown and Wincanton in February, followed by a decent run at Cheltenham in the two mile chase, where he finished 3rd.

Dessie would then win three out of his next four runs, tasting success at Ascot again, Wincanton and Kempton, but he would miss out in the December, where he had been so successful the previous year, achieving two second places. This was a measure of the horse, as second places were now considered disappointments.

Over the course of the 1988 and 1989 season, Desert Orchid would run riot, producing a winning run that would begin to create the legendary status that he go on to enjoy.

From 7 April 1988 until 16 March 1989, the beautiful grey would win eight races on the spin (consecutively), starting with victory in the Chivas Regal Cup Chase at Liverpool over three miles and a furlong. This impressive run of wins would take Dessie through Sandown, Wincanton, Sandown (again), Kempton, Ascot and then Sandown (yet again!).

The run of eight wins culminated, perhaps fittingly, with Dessie's magnificent victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, infront of a packed crowd at Prestbury Park. In heavy conditions, Dessie would prevail by one and a half lengths, ahead of Yahoo, with Charter Party a further eight lengths back.

Dessie's Record

In all, Dessie's record was impressive, leading Time Form to rate him as the fourth best national hunt horse of all time.

He won almost half of his 70 races, achieving 34 victories whilst accumulating over half a million pounds of prize money - a lot of money in those days.

Dessie's last victory came on 2 February 1991, fittingly at Sandown, the venue for many of his successes.

His last two races were later that year. In November where he showed the kind of professional style that was his hallmark, finishing 3rd in the Peterbrough Chase at Huntingdon.

Dessie looked a tired horse in his final race on Boxing Day however, and after struggling throughout, he fell three fences out.

And so his career ended as it had started... with a fall. What had come in between however, was a spectacular, glittering and thoroughly entertaining career that spanned 8 years.

He had captured both the attention and the imagination of the horse racing public at large, with horse racing fans, horse racing experts, broadcasters and everyone involved directly in the industry, all seemingly hypnotised by this great horse.

Dessie Retires And Shows Courage ... Yet Again

After that final race in 1991, Dessie went into a well deserved retirement, and no one could deny that he'd earned it.

He continued to show his bravery by surviving a potentially life threatening operation for colic in 1992. But in true Dessie style, he battled through it and he would go on to make many public appearances, raising money for charity through a variety of appearances, and through the selling of Dessie merchandise.

In fact, when his trainer David Elsworth relocated from Whitsbury, to Egerton House Stables in Newmarket, Dessie went with him as if he was part of the family. In fact, just after the move, Newmarket racecourse held their annual press day, which happened to fall on Dessie's 27th birthday in April 2006. He was greeted by a huge crowd and in typical fashion he acknowledged and appreciated the attention that he got.

As Dessie got older, naturally his public appearances became less and less, and he spent more and more time relaxing at his new home. In fact his last public appearance was on 1 October 2006 at his fan club open day. The great horse was determined not to let down his fans for one last appearance.

In the coming weeks, it appeared that Dessie was becoming more and more frail, but he never complained and his fighting spirit kept going and going. On 6 November 2006 he appeared to be losing coordination, and all around him feared the worst, but the great horse kept on fighting.

He was last seen by someone in the early hours of 13 November 2006, lying down nibbling on some hay, determined not to make a fuss. Just about one hour later, at around 6am this magnificent horse had passed away, as quietly and as gracefully as he had jumped fences for most of his career.

Always Remembered

Dessie's ashes were buried at Kempton racecourse in a private ceremony. Fittingly, they were buried near to his statue and now anyone that visits the racecourse can see the legend for themselves.

All in all I shall remember him for the fact that as a grey, he stood out amongst the other horses. But one shouldn't under estimate that if he had not had class and ability, then despite his striking colour he would not have stood out at all.

He was truly one of the greats, both on and off the race track. The appearances that he made in public to raise money are a testament to this most fabulous of horses.

Dessie, you're on in a million and will forever be remembered :)