Fitzgerald pays tribute to `a real fighter who never let you down'.Byline: Jon LeesTHE 1999 Cheltenham Gold Cup The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt horse race in the United Kingdom for five-year-old and above horses. It is run over a distance of 3 miles 2½ furlongs (5,331 metres) on the New Course at Cheltenham Racecourse during the Cheltenham Festival in March. was the first time Mick Fitzgerald rode See More Business, but it was the start of an incredible relationship that also numbered six other wins, including the Martell Cup, Aon Chase The AON Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom for five-year-old and above horses. It is run over a distance of 3 miles (4,828 metres) at Newbury Racecourse in February. There are eighteen fences to be jumped in the race. and King George VI Chase The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above horses. It is run over a distance of 3 miles (4,828 metres) at Kempton Park Racecourse on Boxing Day. There are eighteen fences to be jumped in the race. , writes Jon Lees. There is no jockey better qualified to talk about the star, as Fitzgerald rode the 14-year-old when he was at his absolute prime. "He's given me some of the best days of my racing life and the highlight for me has got to be winning the Gold Cup on him," said the rider. "It was a great performance. "He didn't get the recognition he deserved. He's won every big race there is for staying chasers. Without a shadow of a doubt he was one of the best I've ever ridden. He was a real fighter who never let you down." The working day will never be the same again for Georgina Bown, See More Business's groom of the past nine years. Bown doubles as trainer Paul Nicholls' secretary and has probably mucked out for the last time following the retirement of her long-term partner. "He is the only horse I look after and I will miss mucking him out," said Bown yesterday. "I always knew this day would come at some stage, but he's lasted longer than most and it's good that he is retiring fit and healthy. "Winning the Gold Cup was a pretty amazing day, but he also got a brilliant reception when won at Wincanton last year in front of all the local people." That occasion was also remembered by Paul Barber Paul Barber (born Patrick Barber, 1952) is a mixed race actor best known for playing Denzil in Only Fools and Horses and Horse in The Full Monty. Born in Crown Street, Liverpool and from the age of 7 grew up within the care system on Merseyside following , who owned See More Business throughout, first with John Keighley and later with Sir Robert Ogden. Barber said: "We will always remember winning a Gold Cup, but the reception he received when winning at Wincanton last year was something that made the body tingle. He will never be forgotten." Ogden, who bought Keighley's share after See More Business had won the Gold Cup, said: "We have many fond memories of See More Business and have taken great pleasure from the way he has captured the hearts of the racing public." Andrew Thornton had a 100 per cent record on him and said: "I was very lucky. He was a spare ride in the [1997] King George King George has referred to many kings throughout history. When used, by Americans, without further reference it most often means George III of the United Kingdom, against whom the Whigs of the American Revolution rebelled. and I was probably about fifth-choice, I think. "It was five years before I rode him again, in the Rehearsal at Chepstow, and he definitely gave me a better feel then than in the King George. "He was awesome at Chepstow, absolutely awesome. I don't think anything would have beaten him that day. He gave Bindaree 20lb and a seven-length beating." See More Business has been ridden by Joe Tizzard in his last two Gold Cup challenges. The jockey told Attheraces: "He always tried his heart out and was one of the gutsiest horses I've ever ridden." nRacegoers can say farewell to See More Business when he parades at the Wessex Racing Festival at Wincanton on February 21. Course Race Jockey 1996 Chepstow Rising Stars Novices' Chase The Rising Stars Novices' Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase for four-year-old and above novices. It is run over a distance of 2 miles 5 furlongs (4,225 metres) at Wincanton Racecourse in early November. There are sixteen fences to be jumped in the race. Tony McCoy 1997 Chepstow Rehearsal Chase Timmy Murphy Kempton King George VI Chase Andrew Thornton 1998 Cheltenham Pillar Chase Timmy Murphy Chepstow Rehearsal Chase Joe Tizzard 1999 Cheltenham Gold Cup Mick Fitzgerald Wetherby Charlie Hall Chase The Charlie Hall Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase for five-year-old and above horses. It is run over a distance of 3 miles 1 furlongs (5,029 metres) at Wetherby Racecourse in late October or early November. There are eighteen fences to be jumped in the race. Mick Fitzgerald Kempton King George VI Chase Mick Fitzgerald 2000 Newbury Aon Chase Mick Fitzgerald Aintree Martell Cup Chase Mick Fitzgerald Wetherby Charlie Hall Chase Mick Fitzgerald 2001 Cheltenham Pillar Chase Mick Fitzgerald 2002 Chepstow Rehearsal Chase Andrew Thornton Won 18 of 36 starts, totalling prize-money of pounds 701,722 |
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