King George Chase 86

[Sunburst75]

Dessie was a 16/1 shot that day, a novice winning the King George. The start of a great horse's career. RIP Dessie,

[MrRobWill]

on his day best jump horse ever

[MrRickB123]

Desert Orchid, bless him, would not have seen which Mill House went, let alone Arkle. Mill House, don't forget, was the only horse who gave Arkle weight and a beating !

[foriamonlyahorse1]

@MrRickB123 I don't necessarily agree with that. Mill House was good but Arkle improved past him & by some way too. Dessie would have took care of Mill House, especially around this track!!

[william270169]

Remember this so well, hard to believe it is almost 24 years ago!

[tehvideoman349]

very good

[crazylyn357]

A nostalgic moment, wonderful memories of such a popular and talented horse. Comparisons are unfair - he was te best of his time and will be remembered by so many people. I confess I cried buckets watching this!

[sjc14031974]

0:20-what a jump by Dessie

[aquamarineeyes]

it's interesting to note that in every single chart of favourite horse races and it is always Dessie's 1989 Gold Cup Triumph.

[wraigneil]

This was an exceptional performance against seriously good horses. Dessie was a horse that tugged at the heart strings.....I can remember watching all his races with butterflies in my stomach......how often does that happen in your life?!!

[irishbraq]

im a horsey man like u lot...love them all ,istabraq my fav but can really say who's best!

[grincher2006]

"best" is a subjective word as you can really never compare over the years. Dessie was certainly one of the most versatile, however, Kauto Star is pretty pretty versatile also. Striclty on ratings then KS is 8-10lbs better....but ratings are not scientific. Another very good horse was Burrough Hill Lad (season 1983-4).

[foriamonlyahorse11]

@grincher2006 Correct. Every horse has his day although I tend to agree with the majority. I feel Kauto would have tried to match Dessie & come unstuck. Dessie beat better horses, without question. Kauto has been mightily impressive but none the less has had things very much his own way. Worth remembering Dessies 8 length, 12st 2lb win in the Racing Post Chase against horses that would have veru much compared with Kauto Stars King George opponents.

[stevemark2110]

DESERT ORCHID what can i say well yes kauto would beat him on a left handed track but on a right handed track kauto would never live with the grey legend he would jump him in2 the ground hed break kautos heart hed have to much flair and fight 4 kauto dessie beat good horses giving stones away he was just 2 good 4 them when did u see dessie shirk a fight NEVER HE WAS SIMPLY AWSOME and we will never c his like again love u my friend and never forgotten x

[dnjljjess]

he was a class jumper

[marsvltor2]

'Desert Orchid - the video' is the best video of the horse's career: almost every race is there, including him as a very young slate grey novice hurdler!!! How he got lighter over the years...

[waz2510]

been watching horseraceing for 27 years and i can honestly say dessie was the best chaser i ever saw that includes best mate and kauto star at his peak he was sommat else i'll never forget him ever

[elscrimmo]

Wonderful stuff. We were there and my wife had money on him - paid for the entire day. Thanks for posting.

[seamanmark25]

Great memories - the arrival on the scene of Desert Orchid. As the Hammers fan below says.....16-1....that would never be seen again for Dessie!

[raekiesha]

Jesus, Graham Goode was crap all the way back in 1986 as well !

[STEVIEFROMNORWAY]

@raekiesha Ha ha! I think the quality of commentator now is miles better than back then. GG was probably one of the best in the 80s but compared with messrs Hunt, Bartlett, Cattermole etc he's tailed off! Great footage there by the way.

[MrSkydog]

Fantastic! Simon Sherwood didn't even pick his whip up! Great horse.

[marsvltor2]

Jockey change from Brown to Sherwood was, in my view, a vital part of Dessie's transformation, too...

[stevemark2110]

i totally agree with that what i coulnt understand was why brown was back on the following year .dessie was almost human he knew everyone loved him and went to the racecourse to put a show on for his fans and never let us down he was SIMPLY THE BEST

[noblewestham]

The arrival of Dessie!! 16-1 FFS!!!!!

Thanks for bringing back memories of great race.

[MEECHIO]

Great performance from Desert Orchid, who murdered top class performers of the like of Wayward Lad, Forgive N Forget and Combs Ditch. This race was a sign of things to come as Dessie went on to make this race his own over the coming years! Thanks for posting.

[huded]

Thanks for taking the time and effort to bring back some old memories

[rockinmusicman]

One of the greats won it 4 times

Wayward lad won it 3 times this race was full of class

take a look at horseracingonly at multiply

[Preekcrap2]

Dessie the best horse ever and he gave me so many happy wins but above all he was the most exciting horse I have ever seen and will see. Dessie the Class of the Class.

[xrockxmyxsockz]

thanks for posting!!!!!!!!!

[sheedysvsign]

ran them ragged ,some very good horses were

hammered there...brilliant !

[JimShadyUK]

Brilliant race - and what a quality field he left in his wake!

[december2364]

66/1 Desert Orchid could be had at the week before that race.

[RobinCarmody]

Great to see this, of course - this was when he *arrived*, and also when I was first starting to follow racing - but I wonder if anyone has a higher-quality recording?

[politiciansarevermin]

Alot of these vids can be bought on ebay (DVD) if that helps

[2gther4ever]

Good old Dessie!Thanks for posting this video.

[mabbrey]

brilliant