Philco

David Broome has ridden several household names in his career, but he holds special affection for a certain grey thoroughbred with an arrogant swagger, who drew fans from rivals, team-mates and spectators alike

- David Broome has ridden several household names in his career, but he holds special affection for a certain grey thoroughbred with an arrogant swagger, who drew fans from rivals, team-mates and spectators alike, writes Bernard Bale

ONE sign that a horse is a legend in more than just their own stable yard is the praise heaped upon them from rivals and Philco certainly was admired by just about everyone in the showjumping world - and for good reason.

"Philco was exceptional," says David Broome. "I think most top riders would have welcomed him with open stable doors. I have always considered myself to be so fortunate to have been introduced to him, and when it was time to retire we had to give him a permanent home at our place, that is how much he became part of the family."

Their partnership was meant to be - how else could it possibly have happened that David went all the way to Florida to look at another horse that didn't quite fit the bill and found himself returning with a different horse that he had never previously heard of?

"It was strange," David recalls. "Three of us went out to look at another horse and didn't particularly want to come back empty-handed, so we took advice and looked at this racehorse - yes, a racehorse, not even a showjumper.

"He had been taken from the track to the jumping arena though and it was easy to see his potential. He stole the show when we went to see him and he was clearly full of self-confidence. He was a typical thoroughbred who looked good and knew it.

"He hadn't actually won very much in the jumping arena even though he had one of the best on board, Rodney Jenkins. Mind you, Rodney had only just taken him on - so he couldn't tell us much about him. I just thought he had something about him and Lord Harris, who was our principal owner, agreed with me.

“He took to arena jumping over here straight away and had a deceptive turn of speed because he could cover the ground quickly, knew all about strides and made it look like he was out for a Sunday hack.”