Try GOLD - Free

'One of the best weeks of my life'

Horse & Hound

|

August 03, 2023

John Whitaker reflects on two momentous wins and ponders the blood rule

'One of the best weeks of my life'

WINNING the Nations Cup on home soil on Friday was right up there as one of the very best. But when my son Robert followed that with victory in Sunday's King George V Gold Cup, on a horse I bred, it became one of the greatest weeks of my life.

The Nations Cup win was made all the more special because it was so long coming. After 13 years, it was certainly about time we won it. Every year, I think we should win our own Nations Cup, then it never happens. Sometimes we've even been right down the bottom. We did have a good feeling coming into it this year. There was a great team spirit and we were all rooting for each other. So it was a much-needed win, but we won it well.

MORE STORIES FROM Horse & Hound

Horse & Hound

Horse & Hound

The appliance of science

How can science help reduce the risk of fractures in racing, and in turn societal concerns about horses in sport?

time to read

6 mins

October 02, 2025

Horse & Hound

LUCKY CLOVER STRIKES AGAIN

MONSTEAD course specialists Pippa Warren and Clovers Reward chalked up their first BE90 win when they romped home in front in section A.

time to read

1 mins

October 02, 2025

Horse & Hound

Peaky Blinder steps up in style

From debut wins to emotional salutes, this week delivers rising stars, loyal partnerships and eye-catching comebacks

time to read

3 mins

October 02, 2025

Horse & Hound

Horse & Hound

'Beyond expectations'

The country's best producers and breeders will showcase some exceptional young horses in next week's HOYS finals.

time to read

4 mins

October 02, 2025

Horse & Hound

Horse & Hound

'Incredible' Augustus reigns with world title

A teenage rider and a home-bred, who suffered an accident as a youngster, shine in an unforgettable week for Ireland

time to read

3 mins

October 02, 2025

Horse & Hound

Horse & Hound

Smith's sweet Melody

A Valentine's gift proves a treasure, it's third time lucky for a Welsh section A and a senior Arabian is London-bound

time to read

2 mins

October 02, 2025

Horse & Hound

It's like driving a Ferrari

A former five- star campaigner dances in the rain before bad weather stops play

time to read

3 mins

October 02, 2025

Horse & Hound

Horse & Hound

Tools to change our behaviour to make horses' lives better

The RSPCA hopes its new tools will not “educate” owners, but help them look at equine welfare differently

time to read

2 mins

October 02, 2025

Horse & Hound

Horse & Hound

‘The right riders got the medals’

Andrew Nicholson reflects on an exciting European Championships

time to read

3 mins

October 02, 2025

Horse & Hound

Horse & Hound

Horse buyers and sellers warned of unintended phone contracts

A High Court case shows that even WhatsApp or text messages can count as contracts in horse sales

time to read

2 mins

October 02, 2025

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size