http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=racing/06/11/13/RACING_Orchid.html

A wonderful ambassador for the sport, Dessie used to put thousands on an attendance. I'm so glad that he wasn't killed in action. His career can be viewed as one of immense celebration and no doubt the racing channels will be showing plenty of Dessie memories of which there were many.

:( sad to hear a famous horse has died. But glad he had a longish cared for life and didn't die in his racing days like many do ;)
RIP Dessie

A supremely talented jumper, with a wonderful racing attitude. Winning the King George 4 times was an amazing feat, but the 'never say die' attitude going up the hill at Cheltenham for the big one was a joy to watch.

Enjoy the apples and Polo's upstairs Dessie; you'll be missed.
(Hopefully Fondmort won't be joining you just yet.)

was that the grey one?

R.I.P Dessert Orchard.

absolutely gutted a true racing legend

will be sorely missed in my house

night and god bless dessie!

was that the grey one?

R.I.P Dessert Orchard.

No you got Dessert Ochard mixed up with Angel Delight - another racing legend.

I can only now bring myself to talk about the early death of Britain's number sporting legend. Dessie never argued with the officials. Never had a punch up in a night club. He was never done for drink driving. He never even drank alcohol!!
Why, if god had to take a sportsman today, couldn't he have taken Gary Neville!!
There is no justice!!

I can only now bring myself to talk about the early death of Britain's number sporting legend.

A horse that managed to live to the immense age of twenty-seven, can hardly be considered an early death.

Yes, he'll be missed. But to live such a long healthy life and then die peacefully when his time is due, should not be a cause for grief. It's a perfect opportunity to celebrate his life and racing career.

Is it me, or is this just a horse? or was it a very special horse?

i remember bookies taking bets on who would come in second in one race that dessie was running in cos the winner was a forgone conclusion

Is it me, or is this just a horse? or was it a very special horse?

The most popular racehorse since Red Rum.

The most popular racehorse since Red Rum.

Yup, trotted out every Boxing Day at Kempton, and round Cheltenham sometimes.

I loved his attitude to the game; a bit like Viking Flagship was like when racing, but Dessie was much better (over 3 miles anyway).

Yup, trotted out every Boxing Day at Kempton, and round Cheltenham sometimes.

I loved his attitude to the game; a bit like Viking Flagship was like when racing, but Dessie was much better (over 3 miles anyway).

And it wasn't just that the horse was good; it had a style of jumping that I, for one, have never seen before or since. No horse should be able to stay in the air for that distance :o

In terms of quality, probably the best chaser since Himself.

And it wasn't just that the horse was good; it had a style of jumping that I, for one, have never seen before or since. No horse should be able to stay in the air for that distance :o

In terms of quality, probably the best chaser since Himself.

Oooh, now there's a debate ........ I think in terms of what he achieved, you could be right, but he'd never get to Arkle.

Arkle would have beaten Dessie with pure arrogance, I think ...... but the other thing with Desert Orchid was the abilty to handle different terrain. One Man would never hane been within a furlong of Desert Orchid at Cheltenham, but what if at Aintree (Mildmay), or Kempton?

No, let's enjoy Arkle and Dessie, and One Man for the great horses they were, and we know that 'Himself' would have destroyed them both.

Open Gold Cup this year, Racing Demon e/w at 25-33/1 if you can still get it ........

Oooh, now there's a debate ........ I think in terms of what he achieved, you could be right, but he'd never get to Arkle.

That's no debate. Arkle would have carried Desert Orchid over 3 miles and still beaten him.

I nominate Dessie as the best chaser since Arkle retired; in other words, he might just have been within two stone of Arkle. :cool: