Greatest Racehorses: Recommended reading

Whether you want to simply relive the exploits of Frankel, whose rating of 147 is the highest ever awarded to a Flat horse, or learn more about past stars such as Tudor Minstrel – who was dubbed a “world-beater” by Timeform’s founder Phil Bull – you will relish these comprehensive reviews.

Find your favourites and start reading now!

Editor’s choice – three must-read profiles

Brigadier Gerard (144)

In 1971 Brigadier Gerard established himself as a top-class racehorse by quickening past Mill Reef – who would also go on to become a true great – and the previously unbeaten My Swallow in what was surely the strongest 2000 Guineas ever run.

Read about how Brigadier Gerard decisively lowered the colours of those two formidable rivals and then went on to dominate the mile division while Mill Reef swept aside all-comers over a mile and a half, setting up the tantalising prospect of a rematch at a mile and a quarter.

Alas, that much-anticipated clash never materialised, despite both horses staying in training at four, but it still proved to be a memorable campaign for Brigadier Gerard who advanced his rating to 144, running to a level of form that at the time had only been bettered by Sea-Bird.

Night Nurse (h182)

No horse has run to a higher level over hurdles than Night Nurse, who won two Champion Hurdles during an exceptionally strong period remembered as the ‘golden age of hurdling’.

Read how Night Nurse beat Monksfield and Sea Pigeon – who would share the next four Champion Hurdles – in the 1977 Champion Hurdle, which came at the height of the golden age and was arguably the strongest field ever assembled.

Night Nurse was an extremely tough horse and those battling qualities came to the fore most memorably in the 1977 Templegate Hurdle, which ended in a dead-heat with Monksfield, while he was also versatile enough to develop into a top-class staying chaser and finish runner-up in the 1981 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The story of Night Nurse is an incredible one.

Persian War (h179)

Persian War was an extremely successful racehorse – a three-time winner of the Champion Hurdle whose rating places him behind only Night Nurse, Monksfield and Istabraq in the hurdles pecking order.

However, what makes his tale so fascinating is the human interest. Persian War’s over-ambitious owner Henry Alper ensured the horse regularly made headlines for things other than his exploits on the track. Indeed, Persian War changed yards no fewer than five times during his jumping career!

Read Persian War’s profile to find out more about a champion racehorse with a colourful owner.