One Man (horse)
Encyclopedia
One Man was an Irish-bred National Hunt
steeplechase
racehorse sired by Remainder Man out of the mare Steal On. The popular grey won 20 of 35 races, including the Queen Mother Champion Chase
in 1998. He was trained by the late Gordon W. Richards
and owned by John Hales. Renowned for his breathtaking jumping and high cruising speed, he was nicknamed his "little bouncing ball" by Richards and adopted by many as the new Desert Orchid
. One Man received a Timeform rating of 179, an outstanding figure.
in March 1994. Despite being the 3-1 favourite for the Sun Alliance Chase, he finished a disappointing ninth behind Monsieur Le Cure.
at Newbury, before unseating his rider in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby. This was followed by an uncharacteristic fall in the Racing Post Chase
at Kempton, which ended his season.
of victories in the Motherwell Chase (at Ayr Racecourse
), the Tommy Whittle Chase (at Haydock Park Racecourse
) and the King George VI Chase
(at Sandown) provided the perfect preparation for a shot at the Cheltenham Gold Cup
in March 1996. One Man started the 1996 Gold Cup as the 11-8 favourite, but finished a disappointing sixth behind Imperial Call. He had travelled well throughout the race and had every chance, before weakening approaching the last fence. The conclusion of many was that he did not quite stay the three-mile, two-and-a-half-furlong trip, which ended with the gruelling hill finish at Cheltenham Racecourse
. He had previously won over this distance at Newbury Racecourse
; the pace of the Cheltenham Gold Cup is often more like a 2½-mile contest, however, and there is a greater emphasis on stamina.
(at Wetherby Racecourse
), the King George VI Chase
for a second time (at Kempton Park Racecourse
) and the Pillar Chase at Cheltenham's January meeting. Despite finishing second to Strong Promise in the Comet Chase at Ascot Racecourse
in February, One Man returned to Cheltenham in March 1997 for another attempt at the Gold Cup. Once again however, despite apparently going well and moving close into second place after the next-to-last fence, One Man suddenly tired again before the last fence and was reduced to almost walking pace in the run-in, ultimately finishing sixth again (at odds of 7-1). This disappoinment was followed by a trip to Aintree Racecourse
for the Martell Cup, in which jockey Richard Dunwoody
pulled up One Man after the horse burst a blood vessel in his nose.
(at Wetherby), and a win in the Peterborough Chase (at Huntingdon Racecourse
). Attention then turned to Kempton, and his bid to win the King George VI Chase
for a third straight time and emulate Desert Orchid (who won the race in 1986 and three successive times from 1988-1990). However, One Man could only finish fifth in the Boxing Day
spectacular this time around, with the race being won by the progressing See More Business. His connections were left to decide on One Man's target for the 1998 Cheltenham Festival. A third attempt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup
was not to be considered; instead, a start in the two-mile Queen Mother Champion Chase
was the favoured option. Before this, One Man returned to Ascot for the Comet Chase in February; this time, he finished ahead of Strong Promise.
In March 1998 One Man returned to Cheltenham, attempting to prove his doubters wrong and put his Festival jinx behind him. He started the Champion Chase at 7-2 odds and jumped well throughout; jockey Brian Harding took him clear at the final turn, where he once again faced the Cheltenham hill. However, this time the trip was right; he saw off his closest challengers Or Royal and Lord Dorcet with a blistering pace, to prove himself a champion. One Man's Queen Mother Champion Chase victory is remembered as one of the most emotional Cheltenham festival victories of all time, as he was led towards the deafening cheers around the winners' enclosure by a tearful John Hales. Never before had a horse won both the King George and the Champion Chases; his critics had been silenced.
No one at the racecourse that day could have suspected that One Man's Champion Chase triumph would be his last. Just 16 days later at Aintree, the ultimate tragedy struck; on 3 April 1998, One Man crashed through the ninth fence in the Melling Chase and landed in a heap. He did not seem to take off at the fence; one possibility is that he could have had a heart attack. He broke a hind tibia in the fall (a fatal injury in a racehorse), and was put down on the spot.
One Man was listed number 38 in a 2010 Daily Mail list of the top 50 National Hunt horses and number 6 in a 2004 Racing Post readers' poll of their favourite race horses, with just three steeplechasers ahead of him (Arkle
, Desert Orchid
and Red Rum
).
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...
steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
racehorse sired by Remainder Man out of the mare Steal On. The popular grey won 20 of 35 races, including the Queen Mother Champion Chase
Queen Mother Champion Chase
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are twelve fences to be jumped...
in 1998. He was trained by the late Gordon W. Richards
Gordon W. Richards
This article is about the racehorse trainer. For the jockey, see Gordon Richards----Gordon W. Richards was a British racehorse trainer specialising mainly in National Hunt racing...
and owned by John Hales. Renowned for his breathtaking jumping and high cruising speed, he was nicknamed his "little bouncing ball" by Richards and adopted by many as the new Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid , 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 fifth best National Hunt...
. One Man received a Timeform rating of 179, an outstanding figure.
Early career
Bought for 4,000 Irish guineas as an unraced three-year-old in Ireland, One Man first raced over hurdles and won three races from nine starts. He was then sold for 68,000 guineas to John Hales in May 1993; Hales had gone to the sale with a limit of 7,000 guineas, spending far more than he anticipated.1993–1994 season
One Man was switched to steeplechasing and won his first five Novices' Chase races before his first race at the Cheltenham FestivalCheltenham 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...
in March 1994. Despite being the 3-1 favourite for the Sun Alliance Chase, he finished a disappointing ninth behind Monsieur Le Cure.
1994–1995 season
His next season began with victories in the Tennents Special Chase at Ayr and the Hennessy Cognac Gold CupHennessy Cognac Gold Cup
The Hennessy Gold Cup is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-one fences to be jumped...
at Newbury, before unseating his rider in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby. This was followed by an uncharacteristic fall in the Racing Post Chase
Racing Post Chase
The Racing Post Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there are eighteen fences to be jumped...
at Kempton, which ended his season.
1995–1996 season
A hat-trickHat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
of victories in the Motherwell Chase (at Ayr Racecourse
Ayr Racecourse
Ayr Racecourse at Whitletts Road, Ayr, Scotland, was opened on 1907. The track is a left-handed, oval track, thirteen furlongs in circumference, with a straight run-in of half a mile. There are courses for flat and for National Hunt racing...
), the Tommy Whittle Chase (at Haydock Park Racecourse
Haydock Park Racecourse
Haydock Park Racecourse is a racecourse in Haydock, Merseyside, England. The track is a mostly flat left-handed oval of around 1 mile 5 furlongs with a very slight rise on the run-in. There are courses for flat racing and National Hunt racing...
) and the King George VI Chase
King George VI Chase
The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there are eighteen fences to be jumped...
(at Sandown) provided the perfect preparation for a shot at the 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...
in March 1996. One Man started the 1996 Gold Cup as the 11-8 favourite, but finished a disappointing sixth behind Imperial Call. He had travelled well throughout the race and had every chance, before weakening approaching the last fence. The conclusion of many was that he did not quite stay the three-mile, two-and-a-half-furlong trip, which ended with the gruelling hill finish at Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is a racecourse for horse racing events, located at Prestbury Park, in the suburban village of Prestbury on the outskirts of the English town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire...
. He had previously won over this distance at Newbury Racecourse
Newbury Racecourse
Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps...
; the pace of the Cheltenham Gold Cup is often more like a 2½-mile contest, however, and there is a greater emphasis on stamina.
1996–1997 season
The following season began with another hat-trick; One Man took the Charlie Hall ChaseCharlie Hall Chase
The Charlie Hall Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt chase in England which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Wetherby over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong , and during its running there are 18 fences to be jumped...
(at Wetherby Racecourse
Wetherby Racecourse
Wetherby Racecourse is a National Hunt racecourse situated near the market town of Wetherby in West Yorkshire, England, located from Leeds city centre.-Location:...
), the King George VI Chase
King George VI Chase
The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there are eighteen fences to be jumped...
for a second time (at Kempton Park Racecourse
Kempton Park Racecourse
Kempton Park Racecourse is a horse racing track in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England, which is a western suburb of London 16 miles from the city centre. The site is set in of land....
) and the Pillar Chase at Cheltenham's January meeting. Despite finishing second to Strong Promise in the Comet Chase at Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
in February, One Man returned to Cheltenham in March 1997 for another attempt at the Gold Cup. Once again however, despite apparently going well and moving close into second place after the next-to-last fence, One Man suddenly tired again before the last fence and was reduced to almost walking pace in the run-in, ultimately finishing sixth again (at odds of 7-1). This disappoinment was followed by a trip to Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England.It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in the 1960s....
for the Martell Cup, in which jockey Richard Dunwoody
Richard Dunwoody
Thomas Richard Dunwoody MBE is a retired British jockey in National Hunt racing. He was a three-time Champion Jockey, riding 1699 British winners in his career. His father was a leading Point to Point rider...
pulled up One Man after the horse burst a blood vessel in his nose.
1997–1998 season
One Man's 1997-98 season started with a victory over his old rival Barton Bank in the Charlie Hall ChaseCharlie Hall Chase
The Charlie Hall Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt chase in England which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Wetherby over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong , and during its running there are 18 fences to be jumped...
(at Wetherby), and a win in the Peterborough Chase (at Huntingdon Racecourse
Huntingdon Racecourse
Huntingdon Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in The Stukeleys near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England.It is also the venue for the annual Mascot Grand National, a race between the mascots of various football and other sports teams....
). Attention then turned to Kempton, and his bid to win the King George VI Chase
King George VI Chase
The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there are eighteen fences to be jumped...
for a third straight time and emulate Desert Orchid (who won the race in 1986 and three successive times from 1988-1990). However, One Man could only finish fifth in the Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
spectacular this time around, with the race being won by the progressing See More Business. His connections were left to decide on One Man's target for the 1998 Cheltenham Festival. A third attempt at the 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...
was not to be considered; instead, a start in the two-mile Queen Mother Champion Chase
Queen Mother Champion Chase
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are twelve fences to be jumped...
was the favoured option. Before this, One Man returned to Ascot for the Comet Chase in February; this time, he finished ahead of Strong Promise.
In March 1998 One Man returned to Cheltenham, attempting to prove his doubters wrong and put his Festival jinx behind him. He started the Champion Chase at 7-2 odds and jumped well throughout; jockey Brian Harding took him clear at the final turn, where he once again faced the Cheltenham hill. However, this time the trip was right; he saw off his closest challengers Or Royal and Lord Dorcet with a blistering pace, to prove himself a champion. One Man's Queen Mother Champion Chase victory is remembered as one of the most emotional Cheltenham festival victories of all time, as he was led towards the deafening cheers around the winners' enclosure by a tearful John Hales. Never before had a horse won both the King George and the Champion Chases; his critics had been silenced.
No one at the racecourse that day could have suspected that One Man's Champion Chase triumph would be his last. Just 16 days later at Aintree, the ultimate tragedy struck; on 3 April 1998, One Man crashed through the ninth fence in the Melling Chase and landed in a heap. He did not seem to take off at the fence; one possibility is that he could have had a heart attack. He broke a hind tibia in the fall (a fatal injury in a racehorse), and was put down on the spot.
One Man was listed number 38 in a 2010 Daily Mail list of the top 50 National Hunt horses and number 6 in a 2004 Racing Post readers' poll of their favourite race horses, with just three steeplechasers ahead of him (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...
, Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid , 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 fifth best National Hunt...
and Red Rum
Red Rum
Red Rum was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years...
).
External links
- famousracehorses.co.uk – One Man press reviews
- cheltenhamfestival.net – Queen Mother Champion Chase winners