• Big Race Meetings Uk
• Famous British Racehorses
• Famous Horse Racing Commentators Uk
• Famous British Horse Races

Results of enquiries (Neil Mulholland and John Jenkins) heard by the Disciplinary Panel on 19 January Neil Mulholland 1. The Disciplinary Panel of the British Horseracing Authority on 19 January 2017 held an enquiry to establish whether or not Neil Mulholland, a licensed trainer, had committed. The Grand National in Aintree, England, offers a different kind of horse-racing experience with a pack of horses competing along a 4-mile course studded with 30 fences. This National Hunt horse race, a style popular in France and the United Kingdom, takes place on a Saturday in early April. Greatest horse racing win ever at history of horse racing.

(Trained in Ireland)
Born 1957
Golden years 1964-1966

A steeplechaser so far ahead of his peers that the Jockey Club and Irish Turf Club had to change the rules of weight in handicaps to take account of his extraordinary ability. A superb jumper, he never fell, and was significantly superior to his brilliant contemporary, Mill House, himself one of the best chasers of the century.

Arkle was the son of Archive, a 48 guineas stallion. He was bought as an untried three year old by Mary, Duchess of Westminster, for 1,150 guineas and named after the mountain facing her house at Loch Stack in Sutherland in the Republic of Ireland.

From the moment he won his first hurdle race at 20-1, Arkle appeared destined for greatness, usually with Pat Taffe riding him. Perhaps his greatest victory was the 1964 Cheltenham Gold Cup when he avenged defeat by Mill House in the previous year's Hennessy by winning by five lengths, a race that Julian Wilson described as 'the greatest steeplechase of the past forty years'. Until that race Mill House was widely believed to be the best steeplechaser since Golden Miller - but he would never again beat the great Arkle.

Roll of honour
Cheltenham Gold Cup 1964, 1965 and 1966
King George VI Chase 1965
Irish Grand National 1964
Hennessy Gold Cup 1964 and 1965
Whitbread Gold Cup, Leopardstown Chase 1964, 1965 and 1966

2 Ribot

(Trained in Italy)
Born: 1952
Golden years: 1955 and 1956

Unbeaten in 16 races, this Italian-trained colt was sent out to land a King George and two Arcs at a time when the transport of horses was relatively primitive. He was tungsten tough, and for two seasons ruled Europe. His second victory in the Arc, by six lengths from a strong field, was one of the best in the history of the race.

Roll of honour
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 1955 and 1956
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes 1956
Gran Premio di Milano 1956

3 Secretariat

(Trained in America)
Born 1970
Golden year 1973

Known as 'Big Red', this imposing colt was a Triple Crown winner whose performance in the final leg, the Belmont Stakes, was the finest in American racing; he won by 31 lengths in record time. A race was created to match him against the best of the age, Riva Ridge and Cougar, both winners of $1m in prize money. Big Red slaughtered them.

Roll of honour
Kentucky Derby 1973
Preakness Stakes 1973
Belmont Stakes 1973
Man O'War Stakes 1973
Canadian International Championship 1973

4 Sea-Bird II

(Trained in France)
Born 1962
Golden year 1965

One of the easiest winners of the Derby, his reputation rests on his victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The 1965 race attracted arguably the strongest field of middle-distance thoroughbreds ever assembled in one field. The flashy chestnut sweated profusely in the parade ring and then wandered alarmingly in the closing stages, but won unforgettably by six lengths.

Roll of honour
Derby 1965
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 1965
Grand Prix de Saint Cloud 1965

5 Mill Reef

(Trained in England)
Born 1968
Golden years 1971-72

The diminutive champion was outpaced by Brigadier Gerard in the 2,000 Guineas over a mile, a distance that favoured the winner. Raced over longer distances Mill Reef was unbeaten, and particularly effective on soft ground. Often he wouldn't just win, but win by a relatively large margin, as when he took the King George VI by six lengths. Brigadier Gerard won more races, but none of his achievements matched Mill Reef at his peak.

Roll of honour
Derby 1971
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes 1971
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 1971
Eclipse Stakes 1971
Prix Ganay 1972
Coronation Cup 1972

6 Phar Lap

(Trained in Australia)
Born 1927
Golden years 1929-32

The best horse to have been trained in Australia, he dominated their domestic racing for three seasons. In 1932 he was sent to America, and contested the prestigious Caliente Handicap in Mexico. Another win, another record, but soon afterwards he died from poisoning. His heart is preserved in the Australian National Museum.

Roll of honour
AJC Derby 1929
Victoria Derby 1929
AJC Craven Plate 1929
Melbourne Cup 1930
AJC Craven Plate 1930
AJC Craven Plate 1931
WS Cox Plate 1930
WS Cox Plate 1931
Aqua Caliente Handicap 1932

7 Brigadier Gerard

(Trained in England)
Born 1968
Golden years 1971-72

Unfashionably bred, the Brigadier won 17 of his 18 races, being beaten only by the Derby winner Roberto at York in 1972, a race in which both horses beat the track record. A resolute galloper, he won the best 2,000 Guineas of the century, but many of his subsequent successes were gained against relatively weak opposition.

Big Race Meetings Uk

Roll of honour
Middle Park Stakes 1970
2,000 Guineas 1971
Sussex Stakes 1971
Champion Stakes 1971
Eclipse Stakes 1972
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes 1972
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Champion Stakes 1972

8 Kelso

(Trained in America)
Born 1957
Golden years 1960-64

A gelding who was voted Horse Of The Year in America for five seasons, Kelso won almost £2m, a record that was not bettered until more than 10 years after his retirement. His reputation for speed and durability was gained on dirt, but he beat the best turf horses in the Washington DC International of 1964.

Roll of honour
Jockey Club Gold Cup 1960
Jockey Club Gold Cup 1961
Woodward Stakes 1961
Jockey Club Gold Cup 1962
Woodward Stakes 1962
Jockey Club Gold Cup 1963
Woodward Stakes 1963
Aqueduct Stakes 1963
Washington DC Inter'l 1964
Jockey Club Gold Cup 1964
Aqueduct Stakes 1964

9 Pretty Polly

(Trained in England)
Born 1901
Golden years 1904-06

Famous British Racehorses

The winner of the three Classics, Pretty Polly would have added the Derby if she had been entered. She had the physique of a colt, she was beaten only twice in 24 races, and is the filly of the century.

Roll of honour
The Oaks 1904
1,000 Guineas 1904
St Leger 1904
Coronation Cup 1905
Champion Stakes 1905
Coronation Cup 1906

10 Red Rum

(Trained in England)
Born: 1965
Golden year: 1974

Winner of the Grand National in 1973 and 1974, he finished second in the next two years before completing a third victory in 1977 at the age of 12. A sound jumper, suited by a severe test of stamina, he took the Scottish Grand National in 1974. Red Rum had dead-heated in his first race, a seller on the Flat at Aintree in 1967, 10 years before his final triumph.

Roll of honour
Grand National 1973
Grand National 1974
Grand National 1977
Scottish Grand National 1974

Famous Horse Racing Commentators Uk

Justifying the selection

10 will be a regular feature in OSM, each month focusing on a different sport and a different topic. This month's was selected by Graham Rock, The Observer's racing correspondent. This is how he justifies his choice:

There is no objective system for measuring the abilities of different generations of racehorses. Official handicappers from around the world accept the impossibility. So this list is, of course, subjective. Compiling it was a fascinating but infuriating process - and I'll be disappointed if you find yourself agreeing with every choice. Some on my list have been included to acknowledge raw ability, others to recognise the hoofprint they have driven into the tableau of the sport. Arkle is my No 1 simply because he was manifestly superior to his contemporaries, although purists would be happier if a famous champion from the Flat had been chosen. Arkle was surely better than Golden Miller and Easter Hero, his two most obvious rivals. I prefer Ribot to Sea-Bird II because he dominated Europe for two seasons. His second success in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe of 1956 was at least as impressive as Sea Bird's in the same race nine years later. The victories that stamped him as exceptional were gained away from home, at a time when the process of taking horses long distances was laboured and debilitating. If Secretariat was the fastest racehorse to gallop in America, Kelso was the toughest, perhaps the most durable top-class thoroughbred. Pretty Polly's record suggests she was the best filly of the last century, ahead of Sceptre, while Red Rum is the most famous horse in the world. His record of three Grand National victories is unique. Nijinsky, Shergar, Dancing Brave and Peintre Celebre, all worthy champions, just missed the cut. None was as good as Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard. The Brigadier may have beaten Mill Reef on the only occasion they raced together; subsequently, the best performances of Mill Reef suggest he would have taken his revenge if they had met again. Over 10 furlongs or further, on easy ground, he would have crushed his adversary.

Now you have your say

Enraged by our choice? Unable to contain your ire at our stupidity? We thought so, and we want to hear from you. Write and tell us who your 10 would be, justifying your selection in no more than 50 words. A selection of your 10s will be published next month.

Send your cards to: 10 Raceshorses, OSM, Observer Sports desk, 119 Farringdon Rd, London EC1R 3ER or email us at osm@observer.co.uk

There are 60 Flat and National Hunt racecourses in Britain, including 17 multi-purpose tracks offering both disciplines. But which exactly are the top ten racecourses in Britain and what makes them so special?

Famous British Horse Races

Cheltenham

Set among 350 acres at the heart of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham racecourse showcases some of the very best National Hunt racing in the country. Cheltenham began racing in 1815 and has since grown into one of the largest racecourses, attracting crowds of up to 68,000. The highlight of Cheltenham’s racing fixtures is the Cheltenham Festival. Which runs for 4 days in March and boasts 14 Grade 1 races. It is the most popular National Hunt meeting in the world and the pinnacle of Jumps racing, every owner, jockey and trainer dreams of running or riding a winner at the Cheltenham Festival.

Find out more about Cheltenham races HERE.

Ascot

Ascot racecourse is considered the epicentre of British horseracing, hosting 26 days of top class racing including 9 Group 1 Flat races. The track is mixed purposed, with Flat and National Hunt fixtures throughout the year. However, it is at Royal Ascot where the track really sparkles. A 5-day festival in the heart of summer, gives racing fans and newcomers the chance to indulge in the finest entertainment, cuisine and sporting action around. Founded in 1711 by Queen Anne, Ascot has maintained it’s association with the Royal Family by catering for Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the British Royal Family each year at Royal Ascot. A true testament to British racing and tradition.

Find out more about Ascot races HERE.

Aintree

Aintree is located on the west of England in the heart of Liverpool and is the home of the Grand National. Originating in 1839, the Grand National is the longest jumps race in Britain and considered a National Hunt tradition. The Grand National sees record TV viewings and crowds in excess of 70,000 every year, which make it such a high profile event that is on everybody’s bucket list.

Find out more about Aintree races HERE.

Newmarket

Newmarket is widely regarded as the ‘home of racing’ due to their rich history in breeding and racing, stretching back over 3 centuries. There are two tracks that are ran on at different times of the season, the Rowley Mile and the July Course. The Rowley Mile operates at the beginning of the season before intermittently switching to the July course. This track covers the summer fixtures from June to August, before returning back to the Rowley Mile for the remainder of the season. There are many training yard surrounding Newmarket, which make it a popular venue for owners and trainers.

Find out more about Newmarket races HERE.

York

Awarded the ‘Best Racecourse in Britain’ 4 times, York is a fantastic tourist attraction in the heart of Yorkshire. It’s rich heritage dates back to Roman times, with archaeology evidence that racing on the Knavesmire first began as early as 1530. York hosts Flat racing through the summer months, with it’s feature highlight the Ebor Festival at August’s end. As one of the most premier tracks in Britain, York attracts high quality racing as well as the glitz and glamour of a high profile event. With stunning views and friendly crowds, it’s the perfect venue for a day out in the sun.

Find out more about York races HERE.

Goodwood

Goodwood is one of the most southern racetracks in Britain, host to the Glorious Goodwood festival and home to 13 Group races throughout the year. Overlooking the Sussex Downs, it’s picturesque backdrop and unique track undulations make it one of the more remarkable courses in the country. Racing only occurs here from May to October and is highlighted by the Glorious festival in late July/early August. This is sandwiched by the Spring Meeeting before and the August and Autumn meeting later on in the year.

Find out more about Goodwood races HERE.

Doncaster

Another fantastic Yorkshire course, with a mixed purpose track catering for both Flat and National Hunt racing for a total of 36 meetings throughout the year. The official Flat season begins and ends at Doncaster. The Lincoln meeting kicking things off in April and the St Leger meeting closes the season in September. National Hunt racing fills the remainder of the calendar which is equally entertaining. Racing on the Town Moor has a rich history in racing, and home to the oldest classic horse race; the St Leger.

Find out more about Doncaster races HERE.

Haydock

One of two courses in Merseyside. Haydock Park is a dual purpose track that plays host to numerous quality jumps and flat races throughout the year. The highlights from each code come in November for the jumps; the Betfair Chase. This is the first leg of the prestigious £1 million Chase Triple Crown that also includes the King George at Kempton and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Whilst on the flat, the Sprint Cup in September holds Group 1 status over 6 furlongs.

Find out more about Haydock races HERE.

Newbury

One of three courses situated in Berkshire, Newbury has hosted both flat and National Hunt fixtures since its first meeting in 1905. The area surrounding the course is known as the Greenham. Which is also the name of the Classic informative 3-year-old flat race held there in April. There are 31 total Group 1 races in the UK and Newbury’s is the Lockhinge stakes over a mile. It also holds big National Hunt meeting in November when the feature is the Hennessy Gold Cup. In late December when the Challow Novices’ hurdle takes centre stage.

Find out more about Newbury races HERE.

Epsom

Epsom plays a pivotal part in the Flat season, despite a relatively small number of meetings compared to other tracks. The entire season at Epsom is dominated by the two-day Investec Derby festival. The Epsom Derby takes place on the first Saturday in June, with the Oaks held the day before.The track is based in Surrey and is a unique test, particularly over the Derby trip. The back straight features a significant climb, with runners negotiating the sharp turn of Tattenham Corner before coming back downhill in the home straight. The home straight has a camber towards the inside of the track and an uphill finish.

Find out more about Epsom races HERE.