Teleprompter boldly goes to geldings' final frontier; 1985 ARLINGTON MILLION.

Byline: Steve Dennis

IT WAS a very American occasion; he was a very British horse. Together, they made history on a warm Chicago afternoon.

The Arlington Million was a watershed in racing history. Its name told the story - when it was inaugurated in 1981 and won in heroic style by 'America's horse' John Henry, it was the first race anywhere in the world that boasted a seven-figure prize fund.

John Henry also won the Million three years later, at the age of nine, but had been retired before the 1985 renewal came around - which it did by the skin of its teeth.

Three weeks before the race, the Arlington grandstands were consumed by fire, and it was only through the determination of the racecourse authorities that their race should not also go up in smoke that Million day dawned at all. The race was run against the backdrop of a field of marquees and the burned-out stand; it was called the Miracle Million.

The pick of the US turf runners headed the betting market, with Dahar, Hollywood Gold Cup winner Greinton and equine nutcase Gate Dancer prominent on the tote board. A little further down was a name unfamiliar to the locals but one that took pride of place back in his native Britain.

Teleprompter had made the transition from handicapper - Cambridgeshire and Royal Hunt Cup runner-up - to Group winner the previous season, when his wins included the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. And with his increased standing came a groundswell of affection, as the racing public took the tough frontrunning gelding to their hearts.

Key to his chances was the 1m2f trip, which was a furlong or so further than his best.

Jockey Tony Ives would have his work cut out to husband his mount's resources in unfamiliar circumstances.

In this he was aided both by Teleprompter's gritty constitution and a little piece of good fortune. Ives and trainer Bill Watts had been uneasy about the gelding's post position on the inside rail, worrying that he would end up behind a wall of horses as the fast-breaking home contingent beat him to the punch.

Teleprompter certainly wasn't first away, but his rivals left him the rail and Ives made the most of it, sending him into the lead on the first bend.

From that position of advantage, Ives was able to slow the race down and therefore save a little for the closing stages. Teleprompter would need it.

At the top of the straight he snaffled a three-length lead and seemed to have the field in trouble, all except Greinton, who was full of running and in hot pursuit. A furlong out it looked as though Teleprompter would be caught - the racecaller howled "And Greinton is flying down the outside" - but the five-year-old had not come all this way to be denied now and he stuck his neck out to hold on by three-quarters of a length.

In winning, he became Britain's top money-earner, a record that lasted just two months. He also became the first British-trained gelding to win a Group/Grade 1 race - and no-one can take that away from him. The feat prompted a change in the rules, allowing geldings to compete in the majority of Group 1 races in Europe. A lot of geldings owe a lot to Teleprompter.

Result 1985

Arlington Million

1 Teleprompter ....14-1

2 Greinton ........1.8-1jf

3 Flying Pidgeon ..30-1

Owner Lord Derby

Trainer Bill Watts

Jockey Tony Ives

Breeder Woodland Stud

Distances 3/4l, 31/2l

CAPTION(S):

Teleprompter (Tony Ives) holds off Greinton (Laffit Pincay) to win the 'Miracle Million'

Article Details

Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
Publication:	The Racing Post (London, England)
Date:	Aug 11, 2008
Words:	597
Previous Article:	Anna Pavlova could be retired after defeat; INTERNATIONAL.
Next Article:	Mourilyan to miss Ebor in favour of Windsor run.