A TRIBUTE TO UN DE SCEAUX
In life we are always attracted to big personalities, whether we know them personally or just appreciate and enjoy them from afar. With horse racing, particularly National Hunt racing (as the horses remain in training for so much longer), we often feel that we develop a strong magnetic-like connection with these personalities, a definitive competitor/spectator relationship that is unrivalled in any other sport. And there was no bigger personality on a racecourse than the brilliant, the loveable, the brave, equine superstar Un De Sceaux.
Un De Sceaux was foaled in France in May 2008 and went on to win his only two races there before moving to Ireland. He ended his career having won 23 of his 34 races under rules winning over £1.5m in prize money, and he was retired in February this year when sustaining minor ligament damage when preparing for the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Un De Sceaux left Ireland for France at the end of April and Willie Mullins said,
"Un De Sceaux is leaving us today for his new life in France. A horse with a remarkable attitude and a 'will to win' like no other. He will be really missed around the yard."
Un De Sceaux had hunger, he had desire, and he had a competitive streak that did not fit the usual conforms of a horse's natural instincts or behavioural characteristics. As much as we racing fans don't want to hear it, horses are lazy animals by nature whose idea of heaven is an enormous field of lush grass where they can graze until their hearts content. However, many horses do become competitive and learn to race each other, with the motivation being striving to be the dominant one in the herd. Un De Sceaux certainly wasn't lazy. He had a uniqueness about him that endeared him to the masses. He had that steely determination and eagerness to be in front rarely seen in a lot of racehorses. He often galloped his rivals into submission with his limitless energy. He approached every fence with such keenness and with boundless enthusiasm that you couldn't help but to fall in love with him.
He also had an inseparable bond with the girl who rode him out and looked after him every day, Virginie Bacop. I got to know Virginie well over the years. Horses respond well to calm, laid-back people and Virginie is certainly that. All great horses usually have someone behind the scenes who are giving them love and security, reassurance when they need it, and caring for them how we all would want to be treasured. Virginie certainly did that and I believe that she had a major part to play in Un De Sceaux's fantastically successful career.
Un De Sceaux competed at 5 Cheltenham festivals. He won the Arkle in 2015 and the Ryanair in 2017, ridden on both occasions by the excellent Ruby Walsh. His spectacular performance in the Ryanair was one of those Cheltenham Festival memories that will always remain vividly in our memory banks. You can run out of adjectives to describe Un De Sceaux, but exhuberant and tenacious are very accurate and pertinent descriptions of this great horse.
"Un De Sceaux is leaving us today for his new life in France. A horse with a remarkable attitude and a 'will to win' like no other. He will be really missed around the yard."
Horses remember favourable experiences and these act as motivational pointers in the future. Hence the term 'Horses For Courses.' Un De Sceaux won 23 races in all, and although he had his favourite tracks : Punchestown (5 wins), Cheltenham (3 wins), Auteuil (3 wins), Ascot (2 wins), Fairyhouse (2 wins), he showed his great versatility by winning at 13 different racecourses, 4 of them left-handed tracks and 9 of them right-handed tracks.
Jumping for fun is an overused term when describing equine athletes but it is a term that succinctly encapsulates this wonderful horse. He will be missed by all of us who follow this great sport, but as with all horses, when they retire safe and sound there is satisfaction to be gained from that in itself, and hopefully Un De Sceaux will have many more happy leisurely years ahead of him to relax and enjoy life.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Un De Sceaux, the O'Connell Family (I got to know Helen through social media too), Virginie, Willie Mullins, all the jockeys that rode him, and everyone that had any positive input during his racing career. As a huge racing fan, I have loved every single minute of his career and will be following his retirement with interest. Thank you again Un De Sceaux. Absolute heart of a lion x
What a lovely tribute! Thank you,
ReplyDeleteJust found this. So much more than an account of a brilliant horse's career. You clearly understand the individual essence of life in horses, dogs, people, and much more. Beyond just "performance" there are the joys of companionship, empathy, and a sense of - especially with dogs - riotously silly fun. I know so many who have as much a sense of humour as humans. Maybe expressed a little differently, as not too many of us throw ourselves ecstatically onto our backs, begging for tummy tickles, when we meet friends. Although l don't see why not! But your photography and writing is lovely, Michael, because you share these gifts of insight from your heart. Thank you so much for what is based in love - for your adorable dogs, brave horses, or people.
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