They called him Himself. A legend. A national hero. Right here stood the man. Or rather the horse. Arkle.
Arkle wasn’t just any racehorse. He was an Irish Thoroughbred a bay gelding born at Ballymacoll Stud in County Meath in 1957. Bred by Mary Baker at Malahow House near Naul County Dublin he was a grandson of the undefeated Nearco. Anne Grosvenor the Duchess of Westminster owned him. She named him after a mountain in Scotland.
Tom Dreaper trained Arkle at Greenogue in County Dublin. Pat Taaffe his jockey rode him to victory after victory. Arkle’s racing career was breathtaking. He won three Cheltenham Gold Cups a feat unmatched. He also won the King George VI Chase the Irish Grand National and numerous other top races. His Timeform rating of 212 remains the highest ever given to a steeplechaser.
Arkle wasn’t just fast. He was incredibly strong. He often carried huge weights winning races even when carrying more than his rivals. In the 1964 Irish Grand National he carried 30 pounds more than other horses still winning by just a length. People joked that his power came from Guinness. Legend says two pints were added to his daily oats. Guinness even supplied Arkle with a free supply.
Arkle wasn’t perfect. He had quirks. He crossed his forelegs when jumping a fence. In the 1966 Cheltenham Gold Cup he plowed through a fence. Yet he never fell. He always recovered. He was resilient.
His career ended sadly. Injury forced his retirement. A fractured pedal bone ended his racing days. Though he tried to return he never raced again. He eventually succumbed to illness. He died at age thirteen. He was buried at Bryanstown.
But Arkle’s legacy lives on. He’s a symbol of Irish pride. Two races the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham and the Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown bear his name. His skeleton is displayed at the Irish National Stud. Statues honor him. Songs celebrate his legend. Arkle’s story isn’t just about a horse. It’s about courage determination and unwavering spirit. He was Himself. And he will always be remembered.