Golden Cygnet
Encyclopedia
Golden Cygnet was a racehorse who many racing professionals believed was going to be the next superstar of National Hunt racing after his performance at Cheltenham in March 1978. Described by Irish trainer Vincent O'Brien
as "the best hurdler I've ever seen", he suffered a fatal injury in the Scottish Champion Hurdle
. His hurdling career had lasted less than five months.
, was born on the 21st June 1972 which made him a very late foal in bloodstock
terms (on the 1st January 1973 he was officially the same age - 1 year old - as those born 5 months before him). He was from the first crop of his sire Deep Run - who would prove to be the best National Hunt sire of his era - and his dam (mother) was the Golden Vision mare
, Golden Cygneture. He turned out to be the only foal of his dam who never set foot on a racecourse. His grand-dam was My Cygneture who never ran either and only had two foals apart from Golden Cygneture, both of whom were colts with one of them being a minor winner.
s.
Golden Cygnet began his racing career as a 4-year-old in a flat maiden over 2 miles at Leopardstown
on the June bank holiday
Monday. He was backed in to 3/1 from 7's. Although he won the race, he was disqualified for causing interference inside the final furlong and placed second. His next run was in a bumper at Roscommon
where he was a fast finishing third, beaten less than a length before signing off for the year with an 8-length win at Naas
in a one-and-a-half mile flat maiden for amateur
riders in early October.
It was almost a year before Golden Cygnet re-appeared on the racetrack again, finishing last in a handicap over 2 miles at Listowel in September before heading to Punchestown the following month for another handicap over a trip that was too short for him (9 furlongs). The form book stated 'never placed to challenge, some late progress'. He turned up for the Leopardstown
November Handicap and was backed in from 20/1 to 7/2. With only 7-7 to carry, the top British-based lightweight jockey
, Richard Fox, was booked for the ride. However, he failed to settle in the early stages of the race and as a result found himself in front with half a mile to run before fading in the straight to finish seventh. This being the last day of the flat season, Golden Cygnet's sights were then switched to hurdling.
on the 8th December, 1977 where he was ridden by 19-year-old amateur Niall Madden who had ridden him to his only victory on the flat and was to ride him in all of his hurdle races. He won by 3 lengths (Form Book: 11/10 Fav, soon in touch, 2nd after 3 out, led between last two, ran on well). His next appearance was at Leopardstown on St. Stephen's Day
in a 'Winners' hurdle for which he again started favourite at 6/4. This was a performance that had to be seen to be believed. Having been held up off the pace early on, he gradually made progress to join the leaders approaching the straight. At this stage he was travelling so well that Madden was having trouble restraining him as he had begun to take such a strong hold. He went to the front sooner than intended because he could not hold him any longer and he strolled away from the others in the straight to win on a tight rein (Form Book: 6/4 Fav, waited with, improved to 4th 3 out, joined leader cantering entering straight, soon led, drew clear, impressive).
So easily had Golden Cygnet won at Leopardstown that his trainer Edward O'Grady decided to let him take his chance in the Slaney Hurdle at Naas only 12 days later. Although he won, he was not as impressive as one would have expected after his performance at Leopardstown and not only was his victory hard fought, he also had to survive a stewards' inquiry into possible interference although he deservedly kept the race (Form Book: 4/6 Fav, mid division & waited with, improved when mistake 4 out, 5th 3 out, led from next, edged right at last, ran on well). He was given plenty of time to recover and did not re-appear until the 25th February, exactly 7 weeks later. His target was the Fournoughts Hurdle at Punchestown, a trial for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle
at the Cheltenham Festival
. He beat his 6 opponents (Form Book: 4/7 Fav, always close up, 2nd 2 out, led on bridle entering straight, went clear before last, easily).
As soon as Niall Madden pulled him out to challenge at the top of the hill with 3 to jump, he began to take a strong hold. Once he jumped the second last, he let him go and he shot clear, jumped the last well and sprinted up the hill to win running away by 15 lengths from Western Rose in a faster time than the Champion Hurdle which took place one hour later. (Form Book: 4/5 Fav, always going easily, led 2 out, went clear flat, impressive). Trainer of the runner-up Fred Rimell said "I've never seen a horse win so easily at the Festival." He was immediately installed as favourite for the 1979 Champion Hurdle.
He was to run twice more. Firstly he headed to the Fairyhouse Easter Festival for the Fingal
Hurdle, a race for the best novices in Ireland. As in previous races, he beat his eight opponents, coming home eased down by 10 lengths (Form Book: 2/7 Fav, waited with, 2nd 4 out, disputed lead approaching next, soon led, quickened clear approaching last, impressive). It was expected to be his last race of the season but he was so well in himself afterwards that connections decided to let him take his chance in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr
18 days later.
The race went according to plan most of the way. Having been held up early, Golden Cygnet moved into third place as they came to the second last hurdle. Approaching the final flight, he moved alongside Night Nurse travelling very strongly and looked an assured winner when for some unknown reason he just did not lift his front legs and crashed through the flight, somersaulting on his head before hitting the ground with a tremendous thud. Luckily, Niall Madden was thrown clear before the horse landed on him. Sea Pigeon went on to win the race, catching Night Nurse close home. "I was cantering on him," said Madden. "Still cruising. He had jumped brilliantly, never touched a hurdle. And then for some reason he stood off a bit too far at the last and he just clipped the top of it and came down on his neck." Racing's most respected judges 'Timeform
' stated in their 1977/1978 Annual:
Very few people were inclined to disagree, including the compilers of the form book whose comment was (7/4 JF, waited with, improved approaching 2 out, quickened between last two, disputed & looked winner when fell last) http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=GtieDQ9blK4.
Golden Cygnet eventually got back to his feet after the fall and although dazed and naturally very sore as a result, everything appeared to be pretty much OK. A long period of rest over the summer seemed to be all that was required. However, trainer Edward O'Grady was not 100% happy with his condition. A lump had developed on his neck which appeared to be a regular hematoma
but something about it just did not look right. After consulting the racecourse vet he decided as a precaution to send the horse to the veterinary unit at Edinburgh University for a couple of days to be sure that everything was OK before allowing him to travel home. When he was contacted by the University the following day, everything appeared to be fine, but 24 hours later Golden Cygnet's condition began to deteriorate rapidly. When Edward O'Grady arrived home from Kilbeggan races later that Monday evening, his phone rang. It was the University again. He was hoping to receive the all-clear for the horse to travel home. Instead he was told that Golden Cygnet had suffered a brain hemorrhage as a result of an injured vertebrae and had been humanely destroyed. O'Grady said, "It was devastating, absolutely devastating. Rather like a friend or part of the family not only dying unexpectedly, but in a different country. That was the hardest part." When the news broke, the racing world was stunned. Timeform
shared many peoples feelings when stating in their annual publication:
He remains the highest rated novice hurdler of all time.
Golden Cygnet has a race named in his honour which is run at Leopardstown every year and it must bring back vivid memories for those who were present on the 26th December 1977. No one who was there is ever likely to forget the performance of Golden Cygnet that day or indeed any of his subsequent races. That his potential was never given the chance to be fulfilled remains one of the most disappointing and tragic events ever to have happened in National Hunt racing. Indeed it was described by one Irish newspaper as "the greatest loss to National Hunt racing since Arkle
". However, of the many quotes after his death, the following one probably summed it up best for everybody - "They say that there is always another one around the corner but somehow I think it is going to be a very long corner before we see another Golden Cygnet." More than 30 years later that same quote could still apply.
Vincent O'Brien
Dr. Michael Vincent O'Brien was an Irish race horse trainer from Churchtown, County Cork, Ireland. In 2003 he was voted the greatest influence in horse racing history, according to a worldwide vote hosted by the Racing Post newspaper...
as "the best hurdler I've ever seen", he suffered a fatal injury in the Scottish Champion Hurdle
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle...
. His hurdling career had lasted less than five months.
Lineage
Golden Cygnet, a bay geldingGelding
A gelding is a castrated horse or other equine such as a donkey or a mule. Castration, and the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male horse to be calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday...
, was born on the 21st June 1972 which made him a very late foal in bloodstock
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
terms (on the 1st January 1973 he was officially the same age - 1 year old - as those born 5 months before him). He was from the first crop of his sire Deep Run - who would prove to be the best National Hunt sire of his era - and his dam (mother) was the Golden Vision mare
Mare
Female horses are called mares.Mare is the Latin word for "sea".The word may also refer to:-People:* Ahmed Marzooq, also known as Mare, a footballer and Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee* Mare Winningham, American actress and singer...
, Golden Cygneture. He turned out to be the only foal of his dam who never set foot on a racecourse. His grand-dam was My Cygneture who never ran either and only had two foals apart from Golden Cygneture, both of whom were colts with one of them being a minor winner.
Early career
Golden Cygnet was sent to Goffs November Sales as an unbroken 3-year-old in 1975 where he was bought by trainer, Edward O'Grady for the sum of 980 guineaGuinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
s.
Golden Cygnet began his racing career as a 4-year-old in a flat maiden over 2 miles at Leopardstown
Leopardstown
Leopardstown is a district in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Ireland, located at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. A residential suburb of the greater Dublin area, it is divided by the course of the M50 motorway, and adjoins the neighbouring areas of Sandyford, Stepaside, Ballyogan, Foxrock and...
on the June bank holiday
Bank Holiday
A bank holiday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom or a colloquialism for public holiday in Ireland. There is no automatic right to time off on these days, although the majority of the population is granted time off work or extra pay for working on these days, depending on their contract...
Monday. He was backed in to 3/1 from 7's. Although he won the race, he was disqualified for causing interference inside the final furlong and placed second. His next run was in a bumper at Roscommon
Roscommon
Roscommon is the county town of County Roscommon in Ireland. Its population at the 2006 census stood at 5,017 . The town is located near the junctions of the N60, N61 and N63 roads.-History:...
where he was a fast finishing third, beaten less than a length before signing off for the year with an 8-length win at Naas
Naas
Naas is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. With a population of just over twenty thousand, it is also the largest town in the county. Naas is a major commuter suburb, with many people residing there and working in Dublin...
in a one-and-a-half mile flat maiden for amateur
Amateur
An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training....
riders in early October.
It was almost a year before Golden Cygnet re-appeared on the racetrack again, finishing last in a handicap over 2 miles at Listowel in September before heading to Punchestown the following month for another handicap over a trip that was too short for him (9 furlongs). The form book stated 'never placed to challenge, some late progress'. He turned up for the Leopardstown
Leopardstown
Leopardstown is a district in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Ireland, located at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. A residential suburb of the greater Dublin area, it is divided by the course of the M50 motorway, and adjoins the neighbouring areas of Sandyford, Stepaside, Ballyogan, Foxrock and...
November Handicap and was backed in from 20/1 to 7/2. With only 7-7 to carry, the top British-based lightweight jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
, Richard Fox, was booked for the ride. However, he failed to settle in the early stages of the race and as a result found himself in front with half a mile to run before fading in the straight to finish seventh. This being the last day of the flat season, Golden Cygnet's sights were then switched to hurdling.
Hurdling career
His first appearance over hurdles came at ClonmelClonmel
Clonmel is the county town of South Tipperary in Ireland. It is the largest town in the county. While the borough had a population of 15,482 in 2006, another 17,008 people were in the rural hinterland. The town is noted in Irish history for its resistance to the Cromwellian army which sacked both...
on the 8th December, 1977 where he was ridden by 19-year-old amateur Niall Madden who had ridden him to his only victory on the flat and was to ride him in all of his hurdle races. He won by 3 lengths (Form Book: 11/10 Fav, soon in touch, 2nd after 3 out, led between last two, ran on well). His next appearance was at Leopardstown on St. Stephen's Day
St. Stephen's Day
St. Stephen's Day, or the Feast of St. Stephen, is a Christian saint's day celebrated on 26 December in the Western Church and 27 December in the Eastern Church. Many Eastern Orthodox churches adhere to the Julian calendar and mark St. Stephen's Day on 27 December according to that calendar, which...
in a 'Winners' hurdle for which he again started favourite at 6/4. This was a performance that had to be seen to be believed. Having been held up off the pace early on, he gradually made progress to join the leaders approaching the straight. At this stage he was travelling so well that Madden was having trouble restraining him as he had begun to take such a strong hold. He went to the front sooner than intended because he could not hold him any longer and he strolled away from the others in the straight to win on a tight rein (Form Book: 6/4 Fav, waited with, improved to 4th 3 out, joined leader cantering entering straight, soon led, drew clear, impressive).
So easily had Golden Cygnet won at Leopardstown that his trainer Edward O'Grady decided to let him take his chance in the Slaney Hurdle at Naas only 12 days later. Although he won, he was not as impressive as one would have expected after his performance at Leopardstown and not only was his victory hard fought, he also had to survive a stewards' inquiry into possible interference although he deservedly kept the race (Form Book: 4/6 Fav, mid division & waited with, improved when mistake 4 out, 5th 3 out, led from next, edged right at last, ran on well). He was given plenty of time to recover and did not re-appear until the 25th February, exactly 7 weeks later. His target was the Fournoughts Hurdle at Punchestown, a trial for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Supreme Novices' Hurdle
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 110 yards , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
at the Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...
. He beat his 6 opponents (Form Book: 4/7 Fav, always close up, 2nd 2 out, led on bridle entering straight, went clear before last, easily).
As soon as Niall Madden pulled him out to challenge at the top of the hill with 3 to jump, he began to take a strong hold. Once he jumped the second last, he let him go and he shot clear, jumped the last well and sprinted up the hill to win running away by 15 lengths from Western Rose in a faster time than the Champion Hurdle which took place one hour later. (Form Book: 4/5 Fav, always going easily, led 2 out, went clear flat, impressive). Trainer of the runner-up Fred Rimell said "I've never seen a horse win so easily at the Festival." He was immediately installed as favourite for the 1979 Champion Hurdle.
He was to run twice more. Firstly he headed to the Fairyhouse Easter Festival for the Fingal
Fingal
Fingal is a county in Ireland. It is one of three smaller counties into which County Dublin was divided in 1994. With its county seat located in Swords, it has a population of 239,992 according to the 2006 census...
Hurdle, a race for the best novices in Ireland. As in previous races, he beat his eight opponents, coming home eased down by 10 lengths (Form Book: 2/7 Fav, waited with, 2nd 4 out, disputed lead approaching next, soon led, quickened clear approaching last, impressive). It was expected to be his last race of the season but he was so well in himself afterwards that connections decided to let him take his chance in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr
Ayr
Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...
18 days later.
Last Race
The Scottish Champion Hurdle represented a huge step up in class. Up until now, Golden Cygnet had been taking on fellow novices and he had shown himself to be in a different league. At Ayr he was taking on very experienced hurdlers of the highest class who were well capable of exposing any chinks he might have in his armour. On top of that, it was a handicap. In most years a Cheltenham winning novice could be expected to receive in weight from his more experienced rivals, especially from the likes of Night Nurse, the Champion Hurdler in 1976 & 1977 and Sea Pigeon who was to go on and win the Champion Hurdle in 1980 & 1981. However, the handicapper paid Golden Cygnet the huge compliment of allotting him which was than dual champion Night Nurse, than Beacon Light, who had been fourth in the Champion Hurdle the previous month and than Decent Fellow, winner of the Irish Sweeps Handicap Hurdle under 11-4. The only horse set to carry more weight than he did was Sea Pigeon who was asked to carry only having finished a close second to Monksfield in the previous month's Champion Hurdle. In allowing him to take his chance at this level and at these weights, it showed just how highly Edward O'Grady rated him - and his assessment proved to be extremely accurate.The race went according to plan most of the way. Having been held up early, Golden Cygnet moved into third place as they came to the second last hurdle. Approaching the final flight, he moved alongside Night Nurse travelling very strongly and looked an assured winner when for some unknown reason he just did not lift his front legs and crashed through the flight, somersaulting on his head before hitting the ground with a tremendous thud. Luckily, Niall Madden was thrown clear before the horse landed on him. Sea Pigeon went on to win the race, catching Night Nurse close home. "I was cantering on him," said Madden. "Still cruising. He had jumped brilliantly, never touched a hurdle. And then for some reason he stood off a bit too far at the last and he just clipped the top of it and came down on his neck." Racing's most respected judges 'Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
' stated in their 1977/1978 Annual:
"The race confirmed two important points - that Sea Pigeon had no superior among the established hurdlers apart from Monksfield, and that all the superlatives heaped on Golden Cygnet had been justified........Golden Cygnet appeared to have plenty left, and was two lengths up on Sea Pigeon and about to take the lead from Night Nurse when he suffered his fatal fall. Judging by the way Golden Cygnet finished in his previous races, he would have taken some catching........The connections of Sea Pigeon did not dispute the general feeling afterward that Golden Cygnet would have beaten Sea Pigeon in the Scottish Champion Hurdle if he had not come to grief at the last. And for a novice to have defeated a seasoned campaigner of Sea Pigeon's calibre at a difference of only 1 lb would have been a staggering achievement."
Very few people were inclined to disagree, including the compilers of the form book whose comment was (7/4 JF, waited with, improved approaching 2 out, quickened between last two, disputed & looked winner when fell last) http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=GtieDQ9blK4.
Golden Cygnet eventually got back to his feet after the fall and although dazed and naturally very sore as a result, everything appeared to be pretty much OK. A long period of rest over the summer seemed to be all that was required. However, trainer Edward O'Grady was not 100% happy with his condition. A lump had developed on his neck which appeared to be a regular hematoma
Hematoma
A hematoma, or haematoma, is a localized collection of blood outside the blood vessels, usually in liquid form within the tissue. This distinguishes it from an ecchymosis, which is the spread of blood under the skin in a thin layer, commonly called a bruise...
but something about it just did not look right. After consulting the racecourse vet he decided as a precaution to send the horse to the veterinary unit at Edinburgh University for a couple of days to be sure that everything was OK before allowing him to travel home. When he was contacted by the University the following day, everything appeared to be fine, but 24 hours later Golden Cygnet's condition began to deteriorate rapidly. When Edward O'Grady arrived home from Kilbeggan races later that Monday evening, his phone rang. It was the University again. He was hoping to receive the all-clear for the horse to travel home. Instead he was told that Golden Cygnet had suffered a brain hemorrhage as a result of an injured vertebrae and had been humanely destroyed. O'Grady said, "It was devastating, absolutely devastating. Rather like a friend or part of the family not only dying unexpectedly, but in a different country. That was the hardest part." When the news broke, the racing world was stunned. Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
shared many peoples feelings when stating in their annual publication:
"Tragically, a bad fall at the last flight in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April left him fatally injured and robbed hurdling of its most exciting recruit for years. Without doubt Golden Cygnet was a tremendous prospect and, with another year on him, there was no telling how good he might have proved himself to be........he was still improving when we last saw him as a hurdler and it is as certain as anything can be in racing that he would have had a very bright future in the top class had he survived."
He remains the highest rated novice hurdler of all time.
Legacy
Niall Madden has described Golden Cygnet as "a freak." "I knew then that no matter how long I'd be in the game I'd never ride another like him." "He was different alright," said O'Grady. "The further most horses go in a race the more they come off the bridle. When he jumped off at the back of the field, he wouldn't pull. But the further he moved through the field, the more he started to pull. Exactly the opposite to a normal horse."Golden Cygnet has a race named in his honour which is run at Leopardstown every year and it must bring back vivid memories for those who were present on the 26th December 1977. No one who was there is ever likely to forget the performance of Golden Cygnet that day or indeed any of his subsequent races. That his potential was never given the chance to be fulfilled remains one of the most disappointing and tragic events ever to have happened in National Hunt racing. Indeed it was described by one Irish newspaper as "the greatest loss to National Hunt racing since Arkle
Arkle
Arkle was a famous Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. A bay gelding by Archive out of Bright Cherry, his grandsire was the unbeaten flat racehorse and prepotent sire Nearco. Arkle was bred at Ballymacoll Stud, County Meath by Mrs. Mary Alison Baker of Malahow House, near Naul, County Dublin...
". However, of the many quotes after his death, the following one probably summed it up best for everybody - "They say that there is always another one around the corner but somehow I think it is going to be a very long corner before we see another Golden Cygnet." More than 30 years later that same quote could still apply.