The jumps season is an exciting time of year for horse racing. It brings with it a unique kind of excitement that other horse racing simply can’t match. It’s also a time where the best of the best jump horses are pitted against one another, testing their skills and courage in front of large, passionate crowds. But which of these amazing horses is the best of all time?
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best jumps horses ever to grace the track and try to answer the question: who is the best jumps horse ever?
I. Introduction
Jumps racing has been around since the 18th century, with the first recorded race taking place in 1752. Since then, the sport has grown in popularity and is now one of the most popular horse racing events in the world. Every year, millions of spectators attend race meetings to watch the best jumps horses battle it out.
But who are the best of the best? Who are the horses that have risen above the rest to become the greatest jumps horses of all time? To answer this question, let’s take a closer look at some of the greatest horses to ever grace the jumps track.
II. Arkle
Arguably the greatest jumps horse of all time, Arkle was a true champion. During his career, he won an incredible 18 races, including three Cheltenham Gold Cups, two Hennessy Gold Cups, and a King George VI Chase. He was also the first horse in history to win the Triple Crown of National Hunt Racing, achieving this feat in 1965.
What made Arkle so special was his sheer speed and stamina. He was able to maintain a gallop for long distances, meaning he was able to stay ahead of the other horses in the race. He was also incredibly brave, often jumping fences with ease, even when they were much bigger than him.
III. Desert Orchid
Another horse that deserves a mention in the list of greatest jumps horses ever is Desert Orchid. This grey horse was trained by David Elsworth and had an incredible career, winning four King George VI Chases and four Cheltenham Gold Cups. He was also the first horse to win the King George VI Chase in three consecutive years.
Desert Orchid was renowned for his amazing courage and determination. He was also incredibly brave over fences, often taking them on at speed and with ease. His most famous jump was in the 1989 King George VI Chase, where he flew over the last fence to clinch victory.
IV. Red Rum
No list of the greatest jumps horses ever would be complete without the legendary Red Rum. This horse is arguably the greatest National Hunt horse of all time and won an incredible three Grand Nationals during his career. He also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice, as well as the King George VI Chase and the Hennessy Gold Cup.
What made Red Rum so special was his sheer guts and determination. He was never one to give up and was always willing to give his all, no matter how tough the race was. He was also incredibly brave over fences and could often be seen taking them on with ease.
V. Kauto Star
Kauto Star is another horse that deserves to be on the list of greatest jumps horses ever. This horse was trained by Paul Nicholls and had an incredible career, winning five King George VI Chases, four Cheltenham Gold Cups, and two Betfair Chases. He was also the first horse to ever win the King George VI Chase four times.
What made Kauto Star so great was his sheer speed and power. He was able to stay ahead of the other horses in the race with ease and also had a great jumping ability. He was also incredibly brave over fences and often flew over them with ease.
VI. Best Mate
Best Mate is another horse that deserves a mention in the list of greatest jumps horses ever. This horse was trained by Henrietta Knight and had an incredible career, winning three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups, as well as two King George VI Chases. He was also the first horse to ever win three consecutive Gold Cups.
What made Best Mate so great was his speed and stamina. He was able to stay ahead of the other horses in the race with ease and also had a great jumping ability. He was also incredibly brave over fences and often flew over them with ease.
VII. Crisp
Crisp is another horse that deserves to be on the list of greatest jumps horses ever. This horse was trained by Reg Akehurst and had an incredible career, winning the Grand National in 1973 and 1974. He was also the first horse to ever win two consecutive Grand Nationals.
What made Crisp so great was his sheer guts and determination. He was never one to give up and was always willing to give his all, no matter how tough the race was. He was also incredibly brave over fences and could often be seen taking them on with ease.
VIII. Golden Miller
Golden Miller is another horse that deserves a mention in the list of greatest jumps horses ever. This horse was trained by George Dockeray and had an incredible career, winning five consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups between 1932 and 1936. He was also the first horse to ever win five consecutive Gold Cups.
What made Golden Miller so great was his speed and stamina. He was able to stay ahead of the other horses in the race with ease and also had a great jumping ability. He was also incredibly brave over fences and often flew over them with ease.
IX. Arkle’s Legacy
Arguably the greatest jumps horse of all time, Arkle has left an indelible mark on the sport of jumps racing. Not only was he an incredible horse, but he also helped to popularize the sport and attract new fans. He was also an inspiration to many other horses, who wanted to emulate his achievements.
X. Conclusion
There have been many great jumps horses over the years, but it’s clear that some have stood out above the rest. Arkle, Desert Orchid, Red Rum, Kauto Star, Best Mate, Crisp, and Golden Miller are all horses that have achieved greatness on the jumps track and will forever be remembered as some of the greatest jumps horses of all time.