Arkle

The story of this equine gladiator, deemed “immortal” by his supporters, knows no bounds. Julian Muscat investigates Arkle’s supremacy – the likes of which may never be seen again

- Julian Muscat

Arkle’s origins

Bay gelding, foaled 19 April 1957 By Archive out of Bright Cherry, by Knight Of The Garter

OWNER: Anne, Duchess of Westminster

TRAINER: Tom Dreaper

BREEDER: Mary Baker

JOCKEY: Pat Taaffe

ARKLE’S sire, Archive, was well bred but next to useless as a racehorse: he never managed to win a race of any description. That meant his stud fee was negligible, which prompted his breeder, Mary Baker, to choose him as a mate for Arkle’s dam, Bright Cherry. Bright Cherry won six times over jumps over two miles for the Tom Dreaper stable. Arkle’s breeder was only too happy to sell him as an unbroken three-year-old for 1,150 guineas in 1960. The rest, as they say…

“ARKLE, Ireland.”

Two words on the front of an envelope were sufficient for fan mail posted in Britain to find its way to Tom Dreaper’s stables in Co Meath, where Arkle was trained. Arkle’s fame was such that any further details were superfluous.

It was a reflection of the reverence accorded a horse who was asked a series of searching questions in the mid-1960s, both in Britain and Ireland. Arkle answered them with dazzling brilliance. Each time the bar was raised, he responded by clearing it with greater margins to spare.

In four seasons from 1962/63, Arkle won 24 times from 26 starts. His supremacy during these peak years was so pronounced that he often carried the welter-burden of 12st 7lb in handicaps, with the rest of the field carrying 10 stone. However, even this 35lb weight concession wasn’t enough to stop him.