415:"The race confirmed two important points - that Sea Pigeon had no superior among the established hurdlers apart from Monksfield, and that all the superlatives heaped on Golden Cygnet had been justified.... Golden Cygnet appeared to have plenty left, and was two lengths up on Sea Pigeon and about to take the lead from Night Nurse when he suffered his fatal fall. Judging by the way Golden Cygnet finished in his previous races, he would have taken some catching.....The connections of Sea Pigeon did not dispute the general feeling afterwards that Golden Cygnet would have beaten Sea Pigeon in the Scottish Champion Hurdle if he had not come to grief at the last. And for a novice to have defeated a seasoned campaigner of Sea Pigeon's calibre at a difference of only 1 lb would have been a staggering achievement."
460:"Tragically, a bad fall at the last flight in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April left him fatally injured and robbed hurdling of its most exciting recruit for years. Without doubt Golden Cygnet was a tremendous prospect and, with another year on him, there was no telling how good he might have proved himself to be. By the time of his death, he had achieved much more in his first season as a hurdler than either of the most recent winners of the Champion Hurdle, Monksfield and Night Nurse, at the same stage of their careers.......There was no doubt that he was still improving when we last saw him and it is as certain as anything can be in racing that he would have had a very bright future in the top class had he survived."
407:
lift his front legs high enough and crashed through the hurdle, somersaulting on his head before hitting the ground. Fortunately, Madden was thrown clear and although shaken, he was uninjured. Sea Pigeon went on to win the race, catching Night Nurse close home. "I was cantering on him," said Madden afterwards. "Still cruising. He had jumped brilliantly, never touched a hurdle. And then for some reason, he stood off a bit too far at the last and he just clipped the top of it and came down on his neck." Racing's highly respected judges '
762:
he wouldn't pull. But the further he moved through the field, the more he started to pull. Exactly the opposite to a normal horse. He was certainly the best I ever had and I would like to think that he was the best I saw over hurdles." O'Grady also considered that he was not so distraught at the time as he might have been later, "Being so young, I fully expected that another every bit as good would come along and I simply didn't realize that a horse of his ability would prove to be quite so rare."
334:
sprinted up the hill to win by 15 lengths from
Western Rose in a faster time than the Champion Hurdle, which would take place one hour later. (Form Book: 4/5 Fav, always going easily, led 2 out, went clear flat, impressive). Timeform's 'Chasers & Hurdlers' recorded that "he toyed with his seventeen rivals....pulling over his field and striding majestically up the final hill to win running away by fifteen lengths. The others might as well have stayed in their boxes." Trainer of the runner-up
346:, a race for the best novices in Ireland. As in previous races, he had little difficulty in disposing of his eight opponents, coming home to win eased down by 10 lengths (Form Book: 2/7 Fav, waited with, 2nd 4 out, disputed lead approaching next, soon led, quickened clear approaching last, impressive). It was expected to be his last race of the season, but he was so well in himself afterwards that connections decided to enter him in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at
31:
776:" whilst another quoted a leading trainer as saying "They say that there is always another one around the corner but somehow I think it is going to be a very long corner before we see another Golden Cygnet." He remained Timeform's highest-rated novice hurdler until they gave Constitution Hill a rating of 177 after the 2022
322:
last, ran on well). O'Grady intimated afterwards that he may have run him too soon after
Leopardstown and he planned to give him a break. He was given all the time he needed and did not re-appear until 25 February, exactly 7 weeks later. His target was the Fournoughts Hurdle at Punchestown, a trial for the
761:
Niall Madden described Golden Cygnet as "a freak." "I knew then that no matter how long I'd be in the game I'd never ride another like him." "He was different alright," said O'Grady. "The further most horses go in a race the more they come off the bridle. When he jumped off at the back of the field,
468:
hurdler for over 40 years. Timeform rated him 176 at the end of that season. Sea Pigeon would later attain a rating of 175 after winning 2 Champion
Hurdles. Their highest rated hurdler ever, Night Nurse, was given a mark of 182 at his best in 1976-77 but given the normal improvement one could have
313:
in the Sean Graham
Roundwood Hurdle, a 'winners' hurdle for which he started favourite at 6/4. Having been held up off the pace early on, he gradually made progress to join the leaders approaching the straight. At this stage, he was travelling so well that Madden was struggling to restrain him. As
438:
for a couple of days to be sure that everything was OK before allowing him to travel home. When he was contacted by the
University the following day (Sunday), everything appeared to be fine, but 24 hours later Golden Cygnet's condition began to deteriorate rapidly. When O'Grady arrived home from
406:
The race went according to plan most of the way. Having been held up early on, Golden Cygnet moved into third place as they came to the second last hurdle. Approaching the final flight, he moved alongside the leader Night Nurse travelling very strongly and looked an assured winner, but he did not
321:
at Naas only 12 days later. He won again but was not as impressive as his starting price suggested, and he also had to survive a stewards' inquiry into possible interference. (Form Book: 4/6 Fav, mid-division & waited with, improved when mistake 4 out, 5th 3 out, led from next, edged right at
333:
Golden Cygnet started the
Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham as the 4/5 favourite and as soon as he was asked to make his move at the top of the hill with 3 to jump, he began to take a strong hold. Once he jumped the second last, Madden let him go and he shot clear, flew the final hurdle, and
425:
Golden Cygnet eventually got back to his feet after the fall and appeared to be in relatively good shape, although dazed and sore. A long period of rest over the summer seemed to be all that was required. However, trainer Edward O'Grady was not 100% happy with the horse's condition. A lump had
308:
on 8 December 1977 where he was ridden by 18-year-old amateur Niall Madden, who had ridden him to his only victory on the flat and was to ride him in all of his hurdle races. He won by 3 lengths (Form Book: 11/10 Fav, soon in touch, 2nd after 3 out, led between last two, ran on well). His next
296:, was booked for the ride. However, Golden Cygnet failed to settle in the early stages of the race and was in front with half a mile to run before fading in the straight to finish seventh. This being the last day of the flat season, Golden Cygnet's sights were then switched to hurdling.
330:. He travelled well throughout the race and settled it in a matter of strides when he swept past the leader approaching the final hurdle to win with the minimum of fuss. (Form Book: 4/7 Fav, always close up, 2nd 2 out, led on bridle entering straight, went clear before last, easily).
314:
soon as he loosened his grip, the horse pulled clear on the run to the final hurdle and stretched away to win by 20 lengths (Form Book: 6/4 Fav, waited with, improved to 4th 3 out, joined leader cantering entering straight, soon led, drew clear, impressive).
228:
Golden
Cygneture. Golden Cygnet turned out to be the only foal of his dam. His grand-dam My Cygneture was also unraced and had only two foals apart from Golden Cygneture, both of which were colts with one of them being a minor winner.
338:
was astonished at the performance of the winner and told reporters afterwards that he had "never seen a horse win so easily at the
Festival." Golden Cygnet was immediately installed as favourite for the 1979 Champion Hurdle.
451:
and had been humanely destroyed. O'Grady said, "It was devastating, absolutely devastating. Rather like a friend or part of the family not only dying unexpectedly but in a different country. That was the hardest part."
224:). He was from the first crop of Deep Run - who would prove to be the best National Hunt sire of his era by becoming Champion Jumps Sire for 14 consecutive seasons - and his dam (mother) was the unraced Golden Vision
256:
in June 1976. He was well supported in the betting market (7/1 to 3/1) and although he won the race, he was disqualified for causing interference inside the final furlong and placed second. His next run was in a
358:
The
Scottish Champion Hurdle represented a huge step up in grade. Until now, Golden Cygnet had been taking on fellow novices. At Ayr, he faced very experienced hurdlers of the highest class. It was also a
284:
the following month for another handicap over a trip that was short of ideal (9 furlongs). The form book noted; 'never placed to challenge, some late progress.' Following this run, he contested the
443:
races on Monday evening, his phone rang. It was the
University again. He was hoping to receive the all-clear for the horse to travel home. Instead, he was told that Golden Cygnet had suffered a
469:
reasonably expected from a novice of Golden Cygnet's potential, there is every chance that he would have exceeded that figure in the future but for his fatal fall.
419:
The compilers of the form book commented (7/4 JF, waited with, improved approaching 2 out, quickened between last two, disputed & looked winner when fell last)
430:
but O'Grady was worried that it might be something more serious. After consulting the racecourse vet, he decided as a precaution to send the horse to the
797:
288:
November Handicap and was heavily supported in the betting market (20/1 to 7/2). With only 7 st 7 lbs to carry, the leading British-based lightweight
197:
as "the best hurdler I've ever seen." His hurdling career lasted less than 5 months, as a result of the fatal injury he sustained in the 1978
914:
899:
276:
It was almost a year before Golden Cygnet appeared on the racetrack again, finishing last in a flat handicap over 2 miles at
889:
317:
So easily had Golden Cygnet won at Leopardstown that his trainer Edward O'Grady decided to let him take his chance in the
894:
825:
265:
where he was a fast-finishing third, beaten less than a length before signing off for the year with an 8-length win at
772:
In the aftermath of his death, one Irish newspaper described him as "the greatest loss to National Hunt racing since
909:
904:
884:
879:
343:
160:
375:
who went on to win the Champion Hurdle in 1980 & 1981. However, the handicapper allotted Golden Cygnet
766:
178:
777:
323:
150:
198:
435:
360:
285:
258:
253:
864:
367:
or more in weight from their more experienced championship rivals, especially from the likes of
246:
395:
under 11-4. The only horse with a higher weight was Sea Pigeon, who was asked to carry just
440:
318:
310:
293:
262:
155:
8:
392:
368:
342:
Golden Cygnet ran twice more. First, he headed to the Fairyhouse Easter Festival for the
327:
277:
465:
305:
194:
387:
than Beacon Light, who had been fourth in the Champion Hurdle the previous month, and
821:
242:
130:
444:
221:
266:
220:
terms (although barely 6 months old on the 1st January 1973, he was officially a
35:
Golden Cygnet & Niall Madden at Naas before the Slaney Hurdle in January 1978
347:
238:
859:
854:
849:
844:
420:
873:
839:
193:
who was described in the 1979 Irish Racing Annual by legendary Irish trainer
252:
He began his racing career as a 4-year-old in a flat maiden over 2 miles at
363:. In most years, a Cheltenham-winning novice could expect to receive up to
217:
335:
281:
210:
104:
431:
400:
372:
448:
427:
190:
453:
408:
173:
270:
213:
94:
76:
769:, which takes place annually at Leopardstown in early February.
30:
472:
Golden Cygnet's full race record over hurdles is listed below:
289:
216:, was born on 21 June 1972, which made him a very late foal in
773:
225:
426:
developed on his neck which appeared to be some form of
798:"'But how can you compare anything to Golden Cygnet'"
371:, the Champion Hurdle winner in 1976 & 1977, and
237:
Golden Cygnet was sent to Goffs November Sales as an
241:3-year-old in 1975, where he was bought by trainer
765:Golden Cygnet has a race named in his honour, the
871:
304:His first appearance over hurdles came at
29:
811:
809:
807:
464:Golden Cygnet remained the highest-rated
403:in the previous month's Champion Hurdle.
269:in a one-and-a-half mile flat maiden for
845:1978 Supreme Novices' Hurdle Cheltenham
872:
815:
804:
915:Horses who died from racing injuries
456:stated in their annual publication:
411:' stated in their 1977/1978 Annual:
399:, having finished a close second to
280:in September 1977 before heading to
850:1978 Fournoughts Hurdle Punchestown
732:Scottish Champion Hurdle (Handicap)
13:
391:than Decent Fellow, winner of the
309:appearance was at Leopardstown on
299:
14:
926:
860:1978 Scottish Champion Hurdle Ayr
16:Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse
383:than dual champion Night Nurse,
176:Champion Novice Hurdler 1977/78
232:
790:
1:
900:Racehorses trained in Ireland
855:1978 Fingal Hurdle Fairyhouse
783:
557:Sean Graham Roundwood Hurdle
393:Irish Sweeps Handicap Hurdle
353:
7:
890:Cheltenham Festival winners
767:Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle
179:Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle
10:
931:
895:Racehorses bred in Ireland
447:as a result of an injured
204:
756:
273:riders in early October.
172:
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149:
144:
136:
126:
118:
110:
100:
90:
82:
72:
64:
56:
48:
40:
28:
23:
910:Thoroughbred family 19-b
905:National Hunt racehorses
840:Golden Cygnet's Pedigree
816:Clower, Michael (2007).
199:Scottish Champion Hurdle
865:Supreme Novices' Hurdle
778:Supreme Novices' Hurdle
662:Supreme Novices' Hurdle
436:University of Edinburgh
324:Supreme Novices' Hurdle
259:national hunt flat race
151:Supreme Novices' Hurdle
462:
417:
885:1978 racehorse deaths
880:1972 racehorse births
458:
413:
189:(1972 - 1978) was a
328:Cheltenham Festival
627:Fournoughts Hurdle
140:7: 6-0-0 (hurdles)
820:. London: Aurum.
818:Kings Of The Turf
754:
753:
311:St. Stephen's Day
209:Golden Cygnet, a
184:
183:
922:
832:
831:
813:
802:
801:
794:
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445:brain hemorrhage
398:
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60:Golden Cygneture
33:
21:
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786:
759:
396:
388:
384:
380:
376:
364:
356:
350:18 days later.
302:
300:Hurdling career
235:
207:
195:Vincent O'Brien
177:
159:
154:
36:
17:
12:
11:
5:
928:
918:
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827:978-1845132798
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243:Edward O'Grady
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131:Edward O'Grady
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734:
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697:Fingal Hurdle
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629:
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623:
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592:Slaney Hurdle
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582:
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522:Maiden Hurdle
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394:
374:
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362:
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344:Fingal Hurdle
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319:Slaney Hurdle
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187:Golden Cygnet
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161:Fingal Hurdle
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156:Slaney Hurdle
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68:Golden Vision
67:
63:
59:
55:
52:Pampered King
51:
47:
43:
39:
32:
27:
24:Golden Cygnet
22:
19:
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764:
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551:Leopardstown
471:
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434:unit at the
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379:, which was
377:11 st 13 lbs
357:
341:
332:
316:
303:
286:Leopardstown
275:
254:Leopardstown
251:
236:
233:Early career
208:
186:
185:
86:21 June 1972
18:
735:Mr N Madden
718:10 lengths
700:Mr N Madden
683:15 lengths
665:Mr N Madden
630:Mr N Madden
621:Punchestown
595:Mr N Madden
578:20 lengths
560:Mr N Madden
525:Mr N Madden
389:12 lbs more
369:Night Nurse
336:Fred Rimell
294:Richard Fox
282:Punchestown
874:Categories
784:References
691:Fairyhouse
659:2 miles 1f
656:Cheltenham
648:4 lengths
613:2 lengths
543:3 lengths
481:Racecourse
432:veterinary
401:Monksfield
385:7 lbs more
381:5 lbs more
373:Sea Pigeon
218:bloodstock
145:Major wins
122:Ray Rooney
723:15 Apr 78
688:28 Mar 78
653:15 Mar 78
618:25 Feb 78
583:07 Jan 78
548:26 Dec 77
513:08 Dec 77
449:vertebrae
441:Kilbeggan
428:haematoma
397:1 lb more
354:Last race
263:Roscommon
191:racehorse
49:Grandsire
601:Yielding
566:Yielding
484:Distance
454:Timeform
409:Timeform
361:handicap
278:Listowel
245:for 980
239:unbroken
222:yearling
174:Timeform
44:Deep Run
729:2 miles
694:2 miles
624:2 miles
589:2 miles
554:2 miles
519:2 miles
516:Clonmel
508:Margin
326:at the
306:Clonmel
271:amateur
247:guineas
214:gelding
205:Lineage
168:Honours
127:Trainer
111:Breeder
95:Ireland
91:Country
77:Gelding
65:Damsire
824:
757:Legacy
534:11/10f
505:Result
493:Weight
490:Jockey
466:novice
365:10 lbs
290:jockey
163:(1978)
158:(1978)
153:(1978)
137:Record
101:Colour
83:Foaled
774:Arkle
750:Fell
744:7/4jf
738:11-13
706:Heavy
668:11-11
563:11-11
531:Heavy
502:Field
496:Going
119:Owner
822:ISBN
741:Good
709:2/7f
703:12-0
674:4/5f
671:Good
639:4/7f
636:Soft
633:11-9
604:4/6f
598:11-6
586:Naas
569:6/4f
528:12-0
499:Odds
487:Race
478:Date
267:Naas
226:mare
41:Sire
726:Ayr
715:1st
680:1st
645:1st
610:1st
575:1st
540:1st
348:Ayr
261:at
211:bay
105:Bay
73:Sex
57:Dam
876::
806:^
780:.
677:18
607:12
572:12
537:17
422:.
292:,
249:.
201:.
830:.
800:.
747:7
712:9
642:7
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