Dancing Brave - Probably the Greatest Flat Horse of All Time

Dancing Brave - Probably the Greatest Flat Horse of All Time

Any horse that wins multiple group one races has got to be something special, but to do it from a mile up to a mile and a half takes some doing. Especially, when he won the "Guineas" at Newmarket, from what was to be a champion sprinter in waiting, "Green Desert". Everyone with a racing brain, could see the reason he just got up to win, was because he was crying out for further, but would it be a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half? In my mind, there was no doubt that the horse would stay a mile and a half.

I am going to focus now on the biggest riding blunder of all time. That was derby day at Epsom in the summer of 1986, i will talk about his more triumphant days in future articles.There was much debate before the derby in the racing media, "would he stay the distance and how would they ride the horse", surely if he stayed he would win? It was that simple to me and i had no doubt that he would stay and win. As time drew closer and closer to the off time, the money poured in on "the brave" and he ended up favorite at the off . THE ONLY SERIOUS OPPOSITION WAS THE OTHER CLASS HORSE IN THE RACE, THE MICHAEL STOUTE TRAINED "SHARASTANI". BUT NO ONE HAD BANKED ON SUCH DREADFUL JOCKEY-SHIP FROM A CERTAIN "G.STARVEY", DANCING BRAVE'S PILOT ON THE DAY. To this day he must have nightmares about the shocking ride he gave the horse. It was such a travesty, that such a great horse should suffer such indignity at the hands of this shocking jockey. He must have known he was on the best horse. If he didn't stay the distance and got beat fair and square then fair enough but give the horse a chance.

The time had arrived and the horses were loaded into their stalls. I could not wait, and then the last horse was loaded into the last empty stall. There was a slight pause, and then they were off. As they settled down for the first couple of furlongs, "Dancing Brave" was settled at the back, just cantering along, keeping tabs on them all. I thought "good he will make up ground gradually and pick them off at his leisure". So, as the pace quickened, i thought "right, start picking them off", but, no still no move from Mr G. STARKEY. "Oh it's okay, he knows the horse, he is a top jockey after all", but as they rounded "tattenham corner", with only four furlongs to run "the brave" was stone last! Was something wrong with the horse? It didn't seem so, as he seemed to be just lobbing along. As i shouted at the television, he started to make ground, as if he heard me shouting, as he passed them one by one "Sharastani" had set sail for home. It was a furlong out and "the brave" was passing them as if they were standing still. Just into the last 100 yards, as he passed the second placed horse and with "Sharastani" tiring, he ran to the line but "Sharastani" just held on by a whisker from the the staying "Dancing Brave". What a horse! Pity you couldn't say that about the jockey. He lost the greatest horse the greatest race. Hopefully, they would meet again and "the brave" would get his revenge. There would be no doubt in my mind that he would, unless they kept "G.STARKEY" as the jockey.

POST COMMENT

Dance Star Mickey Dancing Can Help You Lose Weight Dancewear Shoes - Modern Day Dancing Sunshine Coast Ballroom Dancing Classes Photo Booths The Next Big Thing After Dance Floors An Awesome Alternative Weight Loss By Dancing Sunshine Coast Dance Studios Sunshine Coast Jazz Dance Classes Sunshine Coast Dance Lessons Dance Lessons At Sunshine Coast Helpful Nuevo Vallarta Space Guidance With Trustworthy Words For Couples Live in Abundance, NOW! Sunshine Coast Contemporary Dancing Classes