Silver Fame

Last updated
Silver Fame
SireWerwolf
Grandsire Hurry On
DamSilver Fairy
DamsireHe Goes
Sex Gelding
Foaled1939 [1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
Colour Chestnut
Owner Vivian Smith, 1st Baron Bicester
Trainer George Beeby
Record23 wins
Major wins
Seven Springs Handicap Chase (1948)
Golden Miller Chase
Stanley Chase (1950)
National Hunt Handicap Chase (1950)
Cheltenham Gold Cup (1951)

Silver Fame (foaled 1939) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1951 Cheltenham Gold Cup. After beginning his racing career in Ireland he moved to England and became one of the leading steeplechasers of his time. He won races at the Cheltenham Festival in 1948 and 1950 and ran twice in the Grand National, falling when favourite for the race in 1948. Despite running extremely well at Cheltenham he did not contest the Gold Cup until 1951 when he won the race in record time. He was also the oldest winner of the race up to that time, and remains one of only two horses to win the race at the age of twelve. He spent his retirement as a hunter.

Contents

Background

Silver Fame was a "big, pale chestnut with a white blaze" [2] [3] bred in the United Kingdom. He was sired by Werwolf, a son of Hurry On and therefore a representative of the Godolphin Arabian sire-line. Werwolf was a very successful National Hunt stallion who also sired the Grand National winner Bogskar and the Champion Hurdler Free Fare. [4] Silver Fame's dam Silver Fairy was a distant female-line descendant of The Oaks winner Cyprian. [5]

During his racing career Silver Fame was owned Vivian Smith, 1st Baron Bicester and trained by George Beeby. Beeby trained the horse at Hamilton House at Compton in Berkshire. [6] Silver Fame's racing style meant that he seldom won by a wide margin but was very difficult to overtake once he took the lead. [2]

Racing career

Silver Fame began his racing career in Ireland and recorded his first success in a bumper at Naas Racecourse in 1943. [7] He was sent to England after the war and developed into a high-class steeplechaser in the late 1940s proving particularly well-suited to courses such as Cheltenham Racecourse (where he won ten times over fences) and Sandown Park. [8] He was less adept over the bigger fences of Aintree Racecourse and never completed any of his races at the Lancashire track. In the 1947 Grand National he started at odds of 33/1 [9] but fell in the race after being hampered by loose horses three fences from the finish. [10] In the following season he won his first five races and was again aimed at the National. [11] At the 1948 Cheltenham Festival he won the £600 Seven Springs Handicap Chase carrying top weight of 175 pounds. [12] He also won the Golden Miller Chase at the same course, over a distance of four miles. In his second attempt at the Grand National he was made the 9/1 favourite, [9] but fell at Becher's Brook on the first circuit. [13]

In 1949 he bypassed the National, running instead in the Champion Chase over two miles seven furlongs at the same course. He was leading and looked likely to win before falling heavily. Silver Fame remained on the ground for some time, leading to fears that he had been fatally injured, but he had only been winded by the fall and quickly recovered. In the following year he defeated Freebooter in the Stanley Chase at Sandown and in March he recorded his second success at the Festival as he carried 175 pounds to victory in the National Hunt Handicap Chase. [2]

Until 1951 Silver Fame had never contested the Cheltenham Gold Cup. For last two renewals Lord Bicester had preferred to rely on Finnure who had finished fourth in 1949 and second in 1950. [6]

On his final start before the Cheltenham Festival Silver Fame was beaten by Lockerbie at Manchester Racecourse, conceding weight to the winner. The weather then turned exceptionally cold and wet and the Cheltenham meeting was abandoned after the first day. The Gold Cup was rescheduled for the next Cheltenham meeting and was run on 25 April, meaning that it took place after the Grand National. Many of the original entrants, including the likely favourite Arctic Gold, did not appear and the race attracted only six runners. Silver Fame, ridden by Martin Molony, started the 6/4 favourite ahead of Lockerbie on 3/1 with the best of the others appearing to be the Queen's horse Manicou (winner of the King George VI Chase) and Freebooter (who had won the 1950 Grand National). The two outsiders were Mighty Fine and Jimmy Rank's eight-year-old Greenogue. Lockerbie took the early lead before Greenogue took over on the second circuit. The field remained closely grouped until first Manicou and then Freebooter weakened leaving four horses still in contention as the field turned into the straight. Lockerbie had regained the advantage and led at the last but quickly began to struggle leaving Silver Fame and Greenogue to fight out the finish. Greenogue appeared to have the slight edge all the way up the run in but Silver Fame, under a strong ride from Molony, drew level in the final strides and was adjudged to have won by a short head. There was no photo-finish at the time in National Hunt racing and there was some criticism of the judge's verdict. He became the oldest horse to win the race, supplanting Thrown In who won as an eleven-year-old in 1927. [6] The winning time of 6:23.4 for three and a quarter miles was a record for the race. [14] Silver Fame's time has never been beaten (as of 2016) although it should be mentioned that the distance of the race has been slightly altered on several occasions.

Silver Fame returned for a final season in 1951/52. He failed to recover his best form: after being beaten at Leicester Racecourse he finished unplaced behind Mont Tremblant in the 1952 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

After the end of his racing career Silver Fame spent several years as a hunter for Lord Bicester. [2]

Assessment and honours

In their book, A Century of Champions, based on the Timeform rating system, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Silver Fame an "average" Gold Cup winner. [14]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Silver Fame (GB), chestnut gelding, 1939 [1]
Sire
Werwolf (GB)
1919		 Hurry On (GB)
1913		MarcovilMarco
Lady Villikins
Toute Suite Sainfoin
Star
Forest Lassie (GB)
1908		 Isinglass Isonomy
Dead Lock
Baroness La Fleche Ladas
La Fleche
Dam
Silver Fairy (IRE)
1928		He Goes (GB)
1917		 Prince Palatine Persimmon*
Lady Lightfoot
FeroniaFariman
La Carolina
Fugle Star (IRE)
1917　		FuglemanPersimmon*
Claque
CatsmeatMilner
Arum (Family: 23-a) [5]

* Silver Flame is inbred 4D × 4D to the stallion Persimmon, meaning that he appears twice fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arkle</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred champion racehorse

Arkle was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. A bay gelding by Archive out of Bright Cherry, he was the grandson of the unbeaten flat racehorse and prepotent sire Nearco. Arkle was bred by Mary Baker of Malahow House, near Naul, County Dublin, and was born at Ballymacoll Stud, County Meath. He was owned by Anne Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, who named him after the mountain Arkle in Sutherland, Scotland, that bordered her Sutherland estate. Trained by Tom Dreaper at Greenogue, Kilsallaghan in County Meath, Ireland, he was ridden during his steeplechasing career by Pat Taaffe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Miller</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Golden Miller (1927–1957) was a Thoroughbred racehorse who is the most successful Cheltenham Gold Cup horse ever, winning the race in five consecutive years between 1932 and 1936. He also is the only horse to win both of the United Kingdom's premier steeplechase races - the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National - in the same year (1934).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Synchronised (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Synchronised was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. A specialist long-distance steeplechaser, he was best known for his performances in the 2011–2012 National Hunt season, when he won the Grade I Lexus Chase in Ireland before winning Britain's most prestigious steeplechase, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, on 17 March. He was euthanized after incurring a leg fracture in the Grand National on 14 April 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobs Worth</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Bobs Worth was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He won the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle in 2011, the RSA Chase in 2012 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2013 at the Cheltenham Festival, making him the first horse since Flyingbolt in the 1960s to win three different races at consecutive Cheltenham Festivals. In 2012, he also won the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. Bobs Worth was trained by Nicky Henderson, owned by the Not Afraid Partnership.

Remittance Man was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse who competed under National Hunt rules. He was noted for his consistency, excellent jumping and nervous temperament. Between December 1988 and April 1990 he competed in hurdle races, and showed promise by winning two of his twelve races including the Grade 2 Bristol Novices' Hurdle and never finishing worse than third. When switched to compete in steeplechases he showed immediate improvement and won thirteen of his first fourteen races over fences. In his first season of steeplechasing his wins included the Noel Novices' Chase, Wayward Lad Novices' Chase, Galloway Braes Novices' Chase and Arkle Challenge Trophy. He had his greatest success in the 1991/1992 season when he won the Arlington Premier Chase, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Melling Chase. In the following autumn he won the Desert Orchid Chase and the Peterborough Chase but then sustained a serious tendon injury. He won his comeback race in February 1994 but was beaten in his three remaining races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charter Party (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Charter Party was an Irish-bred British-trained thoroughbred racehorse, best known for his win in the 1988 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He overcame persistent injury problems to win twelve races under National Hunt rules. He showed promise as a hurdler and as a Novice steeplechaser before recording his first major win in the 1986 National Hunt Handicap Chase. As a ten-year-old in 1988 he defeated Desert Orchid in the Gainsborough Chase, before taking the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March. He never won again, but produced a fine effort to finish third on heavy ground in the 1989 Gold Cup.

Red Splash was a British racehorse who won the inaugural Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Patron Saint was a British racehorse who won the 1928 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Easter Hero (1920–1948) was an Irish-bred British-trained racehorse who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1929 and 1930 and made three unsuccessful attempts to win the Grand National. He showed little early promise and was passed from owner to owner before beginning to display ability in 1927. Wins in the Becher Chase and the Coventry Chase established him as a leading steeplechaser and he was bought by Alfred Loewenstein with the aim of winning the National. In his first attempt at the race he fell at the eighth and brought the field to a virtual halt after becoming trapped in the ditch in front of the fence.

Morse Code was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1938 Cheltenham Gold Cup. His Gold Cup victory was achieved at the expense of Golden Miller, who was attempting to win the race for the sixth time. He had previously won the Grand Annual Chase and went on to finish second when odds-on favourite for the Gold Cup in 1939.

Brendan's Cottage (1930–1940) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1939 Cheltenham Gold Cup. After beginning his career in flat racing he developed into a top-class steeplechaser and won the Gold Cup by defeating the odds-on favourite Morse Code. He never won again and died a year later at the age of 10.

Roman Hackle was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1940 Cheltenham Gold Cup. After winning several races over hurdles he was switched to steeplechasing in 1939 and made an immediate impact by winning the Broadway Novices' Chase. In the following year he won the Gold Cup as a seven-year-old but did not build on his early promise. In two subsequent bids for the Gold Cup he ran poorly when favourite in 1941 and fell in 1942. His British career ended when National Hunt racing in Britain was suspended in September 1942 but he went on to win races in Ireland.

Medoc II was a French-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1942 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He won races at the Cheltenham Festival in 1938, 1940 and 1941 before defeating a strong field in the Gold Cup but his later career was severely limited by wartime restrictions.

Red Rower was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1945 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He raced during the Second World War when opportunities for National Hunt horses were severely limited. After winning the Lilley Brook Chase in 1940 he finished third to stable companion Poet Prince in his first attempt at the Gold Cup in the following year. In 1942 he won the Grand Annual Chase and started favourite for the Gold Cup but was beaten into second place by Medoc II. On the resumption of National Hunt racing after a two-year break he finally won the Gold Cup at the age of eleven in 1945.

Prince Regent was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1946 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He was the dominant steeplechaser in Ireland during World War II with his wins including the Irish Grand National in 1942. After the war he was able to compete in the major British chases and won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1946. He finished third when favourite for the 1946 Grand National and fourth in the race in 1947, carrying top weight on both occasions. He continued to race until the age of fourteen, retiring in 1949.

Fortina (1941–1968) was a French-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1947 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He was and remains the only entire horse to win the race. After establishing himself as a top-class steeplechaser in France he was sent to England and won the Gold Cup on his second British start. He was then retired to become a breeding stallion and became a very successful sire of National Hunt horses.

Mont Tremblant was a French-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1952 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Originally trained in France, he was switched to a British stable and made an immediate impact, defeating a strong field to win the Gold Cup as a six-year-old. In the following season he finished third in the King George VI Chase and fourth in the Gold Cup before producing arguably his best performance by running second under top weight in the Grand National. His later career was repeatedly interrupted by injury.

Four Ten was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1954 Cheltenham Gold Cup. A former point-to-pointer he was professionally trained near Cheltenham Racecourse by John Roberts and won the National Hunt Handicap Chase at his local course in 1953. In the following season he made rapid improvement and defeated a strong field to win the Gold Cup in March. He went on to finish third in the 1955 Gold Cup and won several other good steeplechases. He died in 1971.

Limber Hill was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1956 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He was owned and bred by James Davey and trained in Yorkshire by Bill Dutton. After racing on the point-to-point circuit he then ran over hurdles before becoming a steeplechaser in 1954. He made an immediate impact and won the National Hunt Handicap Chase at the end of his first season. In the 1955/56 National Hunt season he was the leading staying chaser in Britain winning both the King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He continued to race until 1958 but his later career was disrupted by injury and he never recovered his best form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Native River</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Native River is an Irish-bred, British-trained, Thoroughbred racehorse who races under National Hunt rules. He is a specialist long-distance steeplechaser known for his front-running style and apparently inexhaustible stamina. He won three minor hurdle races but began to show better form in the 2015/16 when taking the Worcester Novices' Chase and the Mildmay Novices' Chase. He emerged as a top-class steeplechaser in the following season when he won the Hennessy Gold Cup, Welsh Grand National and Denman Chase as well as finishing third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In the spring of 2018 he won a second Denman Chase before recording his biggest win in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

References

  1. 1 2 "Silver Fame pedigree". Pedigree Online. 2016-03-19. Retrieved 2016-03-19.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dick Francis (1957). The Sport of Queens. Penguin. ISBN   9780141942247.
  3. ↑ Silver Fame image
  4. ↑ "Jumper Sires Godolphin Arabian Line". Thoroughbred Heritage.
  5. 1 2 "A-La-Grecque – Family 23-a". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.
  6. 1 2 3 Harman, Bob (2000). The Ultimate Dream: The History of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN   1-84018-381-0.
  7. ↑ Guy St John Williams (2001). "Martin Molony: A Legend in his Lifetime". Hillgate. p. 107.
  8. ↑ "1950s – Cheltenham". Cheltenham Racecourse official site.
  9. 1 2 Green, Reg (1993). The History of the Grand National: A Race Apart. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN   0-340-58515-3.
  10. ↑ "Lifetime Dream of Lord Bicester". Montreal Gazette . 19 March 1948.
  11. ↑ "Odds shortened on Silver Fame". St. Petersburg Times . 16 March 1948.
  12. ↑ "Mellon's horse wins in England". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . 4 March 1948.
  13. ↑ "Irish horse wins National". Free Lance–Star . 20 March 1948.
  14. 1 2 Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1999). A Century of Champions. Portway Press. ISBN   9781901570151.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.