Desert Orchid

An invitation to the historic EGERTON STUD, now occupied by larger-than-life Trainer David Elsworth, was the exciting highlight of my recent trip to England. But the beauty of the place was slightly overshadowed by this white head we saw, at first in the distance:

Meeting DESERT ORCHID was a dream come true for my friend Lee Ann and I, and it was with immense awe and some pride that we said "hello" to Dessie, clearly a Living Legend!
(all photos by John Whistler, with many, many thanks!)

11.04.2006

Today is a special day even for a horse that had many many special day´s when still in the racing game: IT´S DESSIE´S 27TH BIRTHDAY TODAY!
Many congratulations from this side of the channel (a card has been sent out in time!); (due to some cards arriving a month early I know from a truthful source that Dessie actually had two parties this year, and two cakes too!) Dessie has settled in nicely in Newmarket, and the town is very proud to have him.

13th november 2006 - Dessie has passed away

On Nov 13th the very sad news broke that Desert Orchid has passed away. He died at 6.05 am, peacefully in his sleep, as David Elsworth said: "It was time to go"

Dessie´s life was truely extraordinary. Raced by his owner-breeder and in the care of genius trainer David Elsworth not only on, but all the long, long retirement-time off the racetrack as well, Dessie gave his all in his long and honourable career, but he got something back as well. In a retirement that actually span over a longer time then he did race he was looked after in exemplary style by his owner Richard Burridge, where he enjoyed leisure days on top of the Yorkshire moors, and by David Elsworth himself. Horse and trainer had an almost magical bond, their partnership was really formed in heaven. Desert Orchid touched his fan´s, and us, and all the memories he gave us will stay with us forever. Only time will ease the pain we feel now, but as always in life our sorrow only mirrors the joy he gave us: the more we loved him the deeper we feel the sorrow, and the loss. We always knew Dessie was mortal, and the poem fan´s stored for this very sad day we dreaded for some time, knowing that time on earth for Dessie would eventually run out, reflects our feelings:

"The Mourners


When all the light and life are sped
Of flowing tails and manes,
And flashing stars, and forelocks spread,
And foam-flecks on the reins;

I like to think from every land
And far beyond the wave
A crowd of ghosts will come and stand
In grief around that grave -

WILL H. OGILVIE "

We used this poem to mourn for Desert Orchid´s stable companion Persian Punch, and clearly it is no coincidence that both horses lived in the care of just one man, David Elsworth. Our heart goes out to him and Jeannie Brown and the team, first in Whitsbury, now in Egerton Stud, in what clearly is a stressful and difficult time. They made Dessie the horse he was, and allowed him to live the life he led. We will never be able to thank them enough.

From the Sportinglife.co.uk:

"Desert Orchid, the ever-popular Cheltenham Gold Cup winner of 1989, died peacefully on Monday morning at the age of 27.

The dashing grey achieved iconic status within the National Hunt arena and was much-loved by racing enthusiasts for his iron-will and extreme adaptability.

He won 34 races in total, including seven at his beloved Kempton, where four victories in the King George VI Steeple Chase underlined his immense talent.

In a statement, his former trainer David Elsworth revealed: "Desert Orchid died peacefully in his stable at 6.05 this morning.

"There was no stress, he departed from this world with dignity and no fuss.

"He did his dying in the same individual way that he did his living. It was time to go."


Elsworth continued: "Dessie had not been well for the past week and was losing his co-ordination and Richard Burridge visited only yesterday along with Janice Coyle.

"Our thanks goes to David Bartram from Greenwood Ellis for his kind help in making his last days comfortable.

"He was 27 years old and we had been involved with this wonderful horse for quarter of a century both in his racing days and retirement.

"Everybody will miss him and our sympathy goes to his adoring public and fan club that never ceased to take opportunities to see him at his public appearances."

Indeed, Desert Orchid's popularity showed no signs of dimming following his retirement in 1991.

Having gained his last success in the Agfa Diamond Chase at Sandown in February of that year, Desert Orchid bowed out in front of a packed Kempton grandstand on Boxing Day.

Attempting to win his fifth King George, the Richard Burridge-owned gelding took a crashing fall three fences from home.

His swansong may have been unceremonious, but Desert Orchid's past performances at the track meant connections were left in no doubt as to where his final resting place should be.

Elsworth added: "Desert Orchid will be laid to rest at Kempton Park near his statue where many of his most memorable triumphs took place.

"He will be sadly missed by the staff here at Egerton and will forever be remembered for the great moments he gave his racing public."


Desert Orchid Factfile:

Foaled: April 11, 1979

Sire: Grey Mirage

Dam: Flower Child

Owner: Richard Burridge

Trainer: David Elsworth

Career record: Races 71. Wins 34.


Big wins:


1983/4:

Tolworth Hurdle (Sandown)

Kingwell Pattern Hurdle (Wincanton)


1984/5:

Oteley Hurdle (Sandown)


1985/6:

Hurst Park Novices' Chase (Ascot)

Henry VIII Novices' Chase (Sandown)

Killiney Novices' Chase (Ascot)


1986/7:

King George VI Rank Chase (Kempton) £31,696.00

FU's Jeans Gainsborough Handicap Chase (Sandown) £15,666.00

Jim Ford Challenge Cup (Wincanton) £6,322.90


1987/8:

Chivas Regal Cup (Liverpool)

Whitbread Gold Cup (Sandown)


1988/9:

Tingle Creek Handicap Chase (Sandown)

King George VI Rank Chase (Kempton)

Victor Chandler Handicap Chase (Ascot)

Racecall Gainsborough Handicap Chase (Sandown)

Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup (Cheltenham)


1989/90:

King George VI Rank Chase (Kempton)

Racing Post Chase (Kempton)

Jameson Irish Grand National (Fairyhouse)


1990/91:

King George VI Rank Chase (Kempton)

Agfa Diamond Handicap Chase (Sandown)

Other notable performances: Also finished second in the 1984 Christmas Hurdle, second in the 1986 Scilly Isles' Novices' Chase, third in the 1986 Arkle Challenge Trophy, third in the 1987 Queen Mother Champion Chase, second in the 1987 King George, second in the 1988 Champion Chase, third in the 1990 Cheltenham Gold Cup, third in the 1991 Gold Cup.

Winning prize money: £544,238

Win and place prize money: £654,066

photo courtesy of Harriet Tice at Whitsbury Manor Racing Stables

from Racingpost.co.uk:

DESERT ORCHID, the ever-popular Cheltenham Gold Cup winner of 1989, died peacefully on Monday morning at the age of 27.
The dashing grey achieved iconic status within the National Hunt arena and was much-loved by racing enthusiasts for his iron will and extreme adaptability.
He won 34 races in total, including seven at his beloved Kempton, where four victories in the King George VI Steeple Chase underlined his immense talent.
In a statement to PA Sport, his former trainer David Elsworth revealed: "Desert Orchid died peacefully in his stable at 6.05 this morning.

"There was no stress, he departed from this world with dignity and no fuss.

"He did his dying in the same individual way that he did his living. It was time to go."

Elsworth continued: "Dessie had not been well for the past week and was losing his co-ordination and Richard Burridge visited only yesterday along with Janice Coyle.

"Our thanks goes to David Bartram from Greenwood Ellis for his kind help in making his last days comfortable.

"He was 27 years old and we had been involved with this wonderful horse for quarter of a century both in his racing days and retirement.

"Everybody will miss him and our sympathy goes to his adoring public and fan club that never ceased to take opportunities to see him at his public appearances."

Indeed, Desert Orchid's popularity showed no signs of dimming following his retirement in 1991.
Having gained his last success in the Agfa Diamond Chase at Sandown in February of that year, Desert Orchid bowed out in front of a packed Kempton grandstand on Boxing Day.
Attempting to win his fifth King George, the Richard Burridge-owned gelding took a crashing fall three fences from home.
His swansong may have been unceremonious, but Desert Orchid's past performances at the track meant connections were left in no doubt as to where his final resting place should be.

Elsworth added: "Desert Orchid will be laid to rest at Kempton Park near his statue where many of his most memorable triumphs took place.
"He will be sadly missed by the staff here at Egerton and will forever be remembered for the great moments he gave his racing public."

Colin Brown was Desert Orchid's regular partner from 1983 to 1988 and the retired jockey claims he owes his career to the legendary grey.
He said: "He was a different class. I rode him in more than 40 races and won 17.
"He was just an outstanding horse with an outstanding character. He could be stroppy sometimes but he was a real professional.
"To put things in perspective, he was very ordinarily bred but it just shows what can happen sometimes. A big engine gets into a horse and they prove to be unbeatable.
"The first time I saw him was when he came off the box at David Elsworth's yard as athree-year-old. He was just a tiny, hairy thing, but he progressed, galloped well at home and jumped like a buck.
"It took me a mile to pull him up the first time I schooled him.
"Once he strengthened up, you could do whatever you wanted on him. It was like driving a Ferrari rather than a Cortina.
"Basically all I had to do most of the time was just to sit on him. David Elsworth, Janice Coyle and Rodney Boult made the horse.
"Every time I rode him was a highlight. I used to love going to Wincanton for the Jim Ford on the way to Cheltenham every year and there was a memorable Gainsborough Chase I won on him at Sandown.
"He also had a fantastic retirement. I remember when I used to ride him in the parade before the King George. He looked as though he was running away with me but he wasn't. He'd go like the clappers but he was very clever. He would pull up when you wanted him to.
"I owe my career to him. I do corporate hospitality these days and whenever I mention that I used to ride Desert Orchid even the most bored people in the room are suddenly interested."

Simon Sherwood was quick to pay tribute to the gallant grey, with whom he struck up a fantastic partnership throughout 1988 and '89.

The pair gained their most famous victory in the Gold Cup, where Desert Orchid's battling success over Yahoo sent the Cheltenham faithful into raptures.

"To me he was obviously a great friend and was just the greatest horse you could ever wish to ride in a race," Sherwood explained.
"He was brave, tough, intelligent and totally honest.
"He gave me a Whitbread, a Gold Cup and two King Georges to name just a few and he was arguably the most charismatic racehorse we've had for the last decade and more.
"He remained at the top level for a long period of time, doing it the hard way from the front.
"Without doubt he could have won three or four Gold Cups if Cheltenham had been right-handed.

"It was lovely to see him this year at Cheltenham and he was looking fantastic. I was fortunate enough to show him to my son in the stables afterwards and you could see without doubt that his quality of life was 100 per cent.

"Obviously the Gold Cup was really special and it's only afterwards that you hear some of the anecdotes of people's experiences of that day.

"The other race I'll always enjoy is the Whitbread that he won off top weight over a trip that most people thought he'd probably never get.

"But every ride on him wasa bit special," he added.

Richard Dunwoody took over from Sherwood for the last two years of Desert Orchid's career.

The former champion jockey won seven races on the popular grey, including two King George VI Chases and the Irish Grand National.

He said: "It's very sad.
"He was a fantastic horse to ride and without doubt the best horse I ever rode in my entire career."
Reflecting on the news, Paul Fisher, managing director at Kempton Park, said: "He was a real hero at Kempton and willbe sorely missed by everyone here.

"He won four King George's here and one Racing Post Chase.

"We've got a full-size statue of him at the yard as he was such an icon.
"It's honour that his ashes will be laid to rest near the statue at the course.
"It is also quite fitting we've got a race named after him, the Desert Orchid Chase, a day after this year's King George on December 27.

"That's the first running of that particular race and it is sure to be an emotional day.
"He had a great life and will be really missed."

Former jockey Brendan Powell recalls getting into some memorable battles with Elsworth's grey over the years.
One particular contest etched into racing legend is the 1989 Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot, when Desert Orchid had to display all of his fighting spirit to overhaul Powell and Panto Prince after the pair had engaged in a rousing battle.
Powell said: "I took him on that day going down the hill because the one thing Panto could do was jump. "We matched strides all the way round and going to the last I still thought we'd win but he was an amazing horse.
"He'd be three or four wide of you and then Simon would pull him in and as soon as he got to you he'd go and find a bit more.
"It was a great performance as Panto was a good horse and he gave us around a stone and a half that day.
"I think that was actually named the race of the season and we went some gallop from the word go and it was scary half the time."
Powell remembers the Desert Orchid era with great fondness, even though he was never asked to take the reins.
"He was a tremendous horse to do what he did. He won the Irish National with 12 stone and was then also a two-miler," he said.
"He was just a great horse and I was associated with David Elsworth at the time.
"I always thought he might put me on him one day but I think he was maybe too good for me!
"It's Janice (Coyle, stable-lass) and the head lad Rodney Boult you have to feel for as they rode him every single day but I never got on him at home.
"I rode him once at Perth, about six or seven years ago when he paraded, and they were having a bet as to whether he'd run away with me or not.
"But I knew what he was like and I didn't let him out of a trot," he told At The Races.

Dessie´s homepage

Dessie, just 4 weeks before his death
photo: Jim Clark