National Hunt racing has many stories of horses that could have been great had injury or tragedy not intervened, but few horses in the history of the sport have been as universally heralded as a true great that never got a chance to sit on the throne than Golden Cygnet. Trained by Edward O’Grady, such was the sheer brilliance of his novice hurdling campaign, he was considered likely to rule the hurdling scene for many seasons. However, tragedy struck in his final start of that season, as when looking likely to beat two of the greatest hurdlers of all time in Night Nurse and Sea Pigeon in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, he took a heavy fall at the final flight and died of a brain haemorrhage a few days later. Considered by O’Grady to be the most naturally talented horse he has ever trained, he was also reportedly considered to be the best hurdler that Vincent O’Brien had ever seen. One can only imagine what he might have achieved had he had the opportunity to have a full career, but his memory very much lives on in racing circles.
Trainer: Edward O’Grady
Principal Jockey: Niall “Boots” Madden
Notable Wins: Fingal Hurdle (1978), Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (1978), Fournoughts Hurdle (1978), Slaney Hurdle (1978)
Early Days
Produced from a notably weak dam line, Golden Cygnet was at least from the first crop of the mighty Deep Run. Having been bought by Edward O’Grady as an unbroken three-year-old, he was campaigned on the Flat in 1976 and 1977. While he was highly regarded, he showed as much quirks as talent on the racecourse to that point and was most notable for failing to land a massive gamble in the November Handicap at Leopardstown in 1977. However, he would prove to be a completely different proposition once sent over hurdles.
Hurdling Beckons
Golden Cygnet made his hurdling debut at Clonmel on December 8th 1977 and won easily under Boots Madden. He next appeared in a winner’s hurdle at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and produced an immensely impressive winning performance that left the racing public buzzing. Turned out quickly in the Slaney Hurdle at Naas, Golden Cygnet was more workmanlike than impressive in victory, but he once again created an excellent impressive when winning his final race before Cheltenham, the Fournoughts Hurdle at Punchestown.
Cheltenham Beckons
Such was the impression he had created in his four wins in Ireland, Golden Cygnet was widely considered a banker in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and was sent off as the 4/5 favourite. Again ridden by Boots Madden, the six-year-old produced a performance of sheer dominance, tanking to the front after the second-last flight and powering clear to record an immensely impressive 15 lengths success. It was a performance that is widely regarded as one of the most visually impressive wins in the modern history of the Cheltenham Festival and Golden Cygnet was widely expected to rule the hurdling scene after it. He returned to Ireland to take on the pick of the Irish novice hurdlers in the Fingal Hurdle at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival a few weeks later and the result was much the same, with him bolting home by an eased-down 10 lengths.
The Scottish Champion Hurdle
Golden Cygnet’s final start of his novice hurdle campaign came in the Scottish Champion Hurdle where he would come up against two of the most talented hurdlers of all time, Night Nurse and Sea Pigeon. Incredibly, he would have to give the dual Champion Hurdle winner Night Nurse 5 lb and would receive just 1 lb from the future dual Champion Hurdle winner Sea Pigeon. Despite this, he was sent off as the 7/4 joint favourite. With one hurdle to jump, Golden Cygnet looked to have his illustrious rivals well covered with Boots Madden exuding confidence. However, tragedy struck at the final flight as Golden Cygnet took off too early and fell heavily, leaving Sea Pigeon to take the spoils. While all initially seemed to be well with him, a few days later he tragically suffered a brain haemorrhage and died, robbing National Hunt racing of its most exciting prospect for many years.
Even though over 30 years has passed since Golden Cygnet’s tragic death, he is still talked of in revered tones amongst racing fans. One can only wonder how far Golden Cygnet would have went had he been able to compete for the years that followed his novice hurdling season, but on the evidence of what transpired up until the final hurdle in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, it is highly likely that he would have proved to be the top hurdler in the land for many years. An epitome for unfulfilled promise, he is used as a constant reminder of just how close together brilliance and potential disaster are in the great sport of National Hunt racing.
Info supplied by Horse Racing Ireland – Updated January 2011
