Desert Orchid (April 11, 1979 – November 13, 2006), affectionately known as Dessie, was an English racehorse. The gallant grey achieved iconic status within National Hunt racing, where he was much loved by supporters for his front-running attacking style, iron will and extreme versatility. He was rated the fourth best National Hunt horse of all time by Timeform.
Desert Orchid's first season started in an unspectacular fashion. Few who saw him on ...
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Desert Orchid (April 11, 1979 – November 13, 2006), affectionately known as Dessie, was an English racehorse. The gallant grey achieved iconic status within National Hunt racing, where he was much loved by supporters for his front-running attacking style, iron will and extreme versatility. He was rated the fourth best National Hunt horse of all time by Timeform.
Desert Orchid's first season started in an unspectacular fashion. Few who saw him on his debut thought they were watching one of racing's superstars. When he fell heavily at the last in a Kempton novice hurdle in 1983, he took such a long time to get to his feet that it seemed his first race might be his last. David Elsworth's grey was no longer eligible for novice hurdles in 1984/5 and struggled to recapture his early form. He won one of his eight starts this season, in February at Sandown Park. He was pulled up in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Racecourse, the Welsh Champion Hurdle, and on his final outing of the season...
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