Blakeney and Morston are villages on the north Norfolk coast. The first is pronounced 'Blake-ney'. Arthur Budgett, the trainer, always believed that Morston was a better horse than Blakeney. Both were good enough to win the Derby and as a four year old Blakeney was second only to the magnificent three year old Nijinsky at Ascot in July 1970.
It is not surprising that he does not linger in your memory - he only ran twice! We shall never know how good he could have been. Pseudo-scientific form figures tell us very little. It does seem fair to say, though, that he would have come on massively for this run.
Definitely not a vintage Derby field. Another similarity between Morston and Blakeney is that they are both names of small villages in Suffolk or Norfolk (can't now recall which). I was pleased that Edward Hide notched up a Derby win but Morston was not a horse to linger in the memory.
Could have proved to be one of the all time greats. Retired after impressive work before the Great Voltigeur in preparation for for the Leger. To to be judged as 'one of the worst Derby winners since the War' after winning it on only his second appearance on a racecourse is madness. So much for the so-called experts!
forgot to mention (as mentioned by the commentator) Morston was a half brother to Blakeney which may have something to do with his being retired to stud and not setting foot on another racecourse. Cavo Doro was by Sir Ivor and Sea Pigeon was by Sea Bird. Poor Mon Fils (Frankie Durr) didn't stay a foot past a mile did he?
Terbine if cavo doro had have won Lester would have ridden and bred the Derby winner. He bred Cavo Doro now that would have been an achievement even for Lester
Indeed he did minster son in the leger wasn't it.Just a shame the leger has been so devalued in recent years maybe its just me but its got the status of a long distance handicap nearly. Dont think its helped by the fact its run the same day as the champion stakes at leopardstown which carries more weight.
I can remember rushing home from school to find out what had won the Derby that day and thinking 'Morston'?..I didn't even know he was running!! until I became senile recently I used to be able to name the entire field for the 1973 Epsom Derby why? how? who cares?
The two years 'twixt Roberto/Rheingold and Grundy were not vintage years for Derby winners ... this of course was the year that Sea Pigeon, later to become one of the most popular horses ever to race in Britain, ran at Epsom.
Blakeney and Morston are villages on the north Norfolk coast. The first is pronounced 'Blake-ney'. Arthur Budgett, the trainer, always believed that Morston was a better horse than Blakeney. Both were good enough to win the Derby and as a four year old Blakeney was second only to the magnificent three year old Nijinsky at Ascot in July 1970.
davidnettleton 2 months ago
Morston could have been anything- we'll never know. Certainly it was a sub-standard renewal, but he won well enough and was just a baby at the time.
The commentator pronounces "Blakeney" as "Black-ney"- is that correct????
tigerboy1966 2 years ago
It is not surprising that he does not linger in your memory - he only ran twice! We shall never know how good he could have been. Pseudo-scientific form figures tell us very little. It does seem fair to say, though, that he would have come on massively for this run.
jet9491 3 years ago
Definitely not a vintage Derby field. Another similarity between Morston and Blakeney is that they are both names of small villages in Suffolk or Norfolk (can't now recall which). I was pleased that Edward Hide notched up a Derby win but Morston was not a horse to linger in the memory.
Czerniakowska 3 years ago
Could have proved to be one of the all time greats. Retired after impressive work before the Great Voltigeur in preparation for for the Leger. To to be judged as 'one of the worst Derby winners since the War' after winning it on only his second appearance on a racecourse is madness. So much for the so-called experts!
jet9491 3 years ago
... wasn't Eddie Hide riding this?
gary1961 3 years ago
That's right.
december2364 3 years ago
forgot to mention (as mentioned by the commentator) Morston was a half brother to Blakeney which may have something to do with his being retired to stud and not setting foot on another racecourse. Cavo Doro was by Sir Ivor and Sea Pigeon was by Sea Bird. Poor Mon Fils (Frankie Durr) didn't stay a foot past a mile did he?
terbine13 3 years ago
Terbine if cavo doro had have won Lester would have ridden and bred the Derby winner. He bred Cavo Doro now that would have been an achievement even for Lester
nellie1912 3 years ago
nice one nell, I didn't know that..has that been achieved? I've a feeling wee Willie did it?
terbine13 3 years ago
Indeed he did minster son in the leger wasn't it.Just a shame the leger has been so devalued in recent years maybe its just me but its got the status of a long distance handicap nearly. Dont think its helped by the fact its run the same day as the champion stakes at leopardstown which carries more weight.
nellie1912 3 years ago
I can remember rushing home from school to find out what had won the Derby that day and thinking 'Morston'?..I didn't even know he was running!! until I became senile recently I used to be able to name the entire field for the 1973 Epsom Derby why? how? who cares?
terbine13 3 years ago
The two years 'twixt Roberto/Rheingold and Grundy were not vintage years for Derby winners ... this of course was the year that Sea Pigeon, later to become one of the most popular horses ever to race in Britain, ran at Epsom.
RobinCarmody 3 years ago