26 Facts About Desert Orchid

Desert Orchid, known as Dessie, was an English racehorse.

Desert Orchid was rated the fifth-best National Hunt horse of all time by Timeform.

Desert Orchid fell heavily at the last in a Kempton novice hurdle and took such a long time to get to his feet that it seemed his first race might be his last.

Desert Orchid was pulled up in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Racecourse, the Welsh Champion Hurdle, and on his final outing of the season fell at Ascot.

Desert Orchid did not win again that season despite three further placed efforts.

Desert Orchid was well clear in his final race of the season at Ascot only to make a very serious mistake which stopped his momentum.

Desert Orchid followed up with wins at Sandown and Wincanton, before finishing third in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, three lengths behind Pearlyman.

Desert Orchid gave the former 22 pounds and the latter 23 pounds.

Desert Orchid just got back up after being headed to beat Panto Prince by a head.

Three cheers were called as Desert Orchid was unsaddled, surrounded by thousands of fans.

In 1989, Desert Orchid again won at Wincanton, this time with a new jockey, Richard Dunwoody.

Desert Orchid followed up with a win at Wincanton and then took the Racing Post Chase at Kempton.

Desert Orchid was given top weight of 12 stone, but was even money favourite and won by twelve lengths.

Also in 1989, Desert Orchid was painted by the noted equine artist Barrie Linklater.

Desert Orchid did not reappear until November 1990, finishing second in the Haldon Gold Cup.

Desert Orchid's final start of the season was a 15-length third to Garrison Savannah in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Desert Orchid finished third in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon before falling in his last race, the 1991 King George at Kempton, where he was attempting his fifth win.

Desert Orchid had a tendency to jump to his right especially when tired.

Desert Orchid raced more times at both Sandown and Ascot than he did left-handed.

Desert Orchid retired in December 1991 and survived a life-threatening operation for colic a year later.

Desert Orchid took his summer holidays with the Burridge family at Ab Kettleby, and spent the winter with David Elsworth leading out the 2 year olds and getting ready for his many public appearances.

Desert Orchid returned every year to Kempton to lead out the parade of runners for the King George VI Chase.

When David Elsworth left Whitsbury after 25 years, Desert Orchid packed up and went with him to Egerton House Stables in Newmarket, Suffolk.

Desert Orchid paraded at the course to the delight of his fans.

Desert Orchid was no longer ridden due to his age, and David announced that his appearances would be fewer, and nearer to home, as he was now such a senior citizen.

Desert Orchid's ashes were buried in a private ceremony at Kempton Park Racecourse near his statue the week prior to the King George.