Mill House
Encyclopedia
Mill House was an Irish-bred but English-trained racehorse. He is considered one of the best National Hunt racing
competitors in UK horse racing history but whose quality was overshadowed by arch rival, Arkle
. Mill House won the 1963 Cheltenham Gold Cup
and 1967 Whitbread Gold Cup
.
Known as 'The Big Horse' on account of 18 Hands height, Mill House took part in one of the epic battles of National Hunt Racing when, in March 1964, he defended his Cheltenham crown against the Irish star Arkle. Trained by the legendary Fulke Walwyn
and ridden by Willie Robinson, Mill House matched Arkle stride for stride over the last two miles failing by 5 lengths to hold the great horse off. It was a classic England v Ireland match at Cheltenham and regarded by many as the finest race ever for the Gold Cup.
Tragically Mill House was never quite the same horse again. The following year he took Arkle on again in the Gold Cup but was beaten quite easily. His size meant increasing back problems and he failed to participate in 1966 when Arkle won his third crown. But in 1967 he was back again this time without his great rival who was retired after a serious leg injury a few months before at Kempton. Hopes were high that he could become the first horse ever to win back his crown in a field that was not considered the best. Sadly he slipped and fell at an open ditch in the back straight and left the race to a virtual unknown, Woodland Venture.
A few weeks later his form was confirmed when he took the prestigious Whitbread Gold Cup under top weight at Sandown Park. It was his last major win. Continuing back weakness plagued his campaign in 1968 when he fell again in both the Cheltenham and Whitbread Gold Cups. He died in 1975.
Mill House still has among the highest ratings ever for a National Hunt horse - see Timeform
.
National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing is the official name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland in which the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences...
competitors in UK horse racing history but whose quality was overshadowed by arch rival, 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...
. Mill House won the 1963 Cheltenham Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
and 1967 Whitbread Gold Cup
Bet365 Gold Cup
The Bet365 Gold Cup is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of about 3 miles and 5½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-four fences to be jumped...
.
Known as 'The Big Horse' on account of 18 Hands height, Mill House took part in one of the epic battles of National Hunt Racing when, in March 1964, he defended his Cheltenham crown against the Irish star Arkle. Trained by the legendary Fulke Walwyn
Fulke Walwyn
Fulke Thomas Tyndall Walwyn was a British jockey and racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing. He was born in Wrexham and died in Newbury.He was educated at Malvern College....
and ridden by Willie Robinson, Mill House matched Arkle stride for stride over the last two miles failing by 5 lengths to hold the great horse off. It was a classic England v Ireland match at Cheltenham and regarded by many as the finest race ever for the Gold Cup.
Tragically Mill House was never quite the same horse again. The following year he took Arkle on again in the Gold Cup but was beaten quite easily. His size meant increasing back problems and he failed to participate in 1966 when Arkle won his third crown. But in 1967 he was back again this time without his great rival who was retired after a serious leg injury a few months before at Kempton. Hopes were high that he could become the first horse ever to win back his crown in a field that was not considered the best. Sadly he slipped and fell at an open ditch in the back straight and left the race to a virtual unknown, Woodland Venture.
A few weeks later his form was confirmed when he took the prestigious Whitbread Gold Cup under top weight at Sandown Park. It was his last major win. Continuing back weakness plagued his campaign in 1968 when he fell again in both the Cheltenham and Whitbread Gold Cups. He died in 1975.
Mill House still has among the highest ratings ever for a National Hunt horse - see 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...
.