Famous Irish thoroughbred racehorse Arkle is generally regarded as the greatest National Hunt horse of all time. Arkle was foaled in 1957 at Ballymacoll Stud near Dunboyne County Meath. He was trained by Tom Dreaper in County Meath and during his steeplechasing career his jockey, in the main, was Pat Taffe.
During his career he would come to be regarded as the greatest National Hunt horse of all time. His wins included The Broadway Chase, Powers Gold Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup in 1963. The Irish Grand National in 1964 & 1965. The King George VI in 1965 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1964, 1965, 1966). The English trained Mill House and Arkle were rivals for many years.
Arkle has the highest ever timeform rating of 212 for a steeplechaser. Flyingbolt (1959-1983) with a rating of 210 is second and joint third on 191 are Timeform and Kauto Star.
During the King George VI race at Kempton Park in 1966 Arkle fractured a pedal bone when he struck a fence with a hoof. Though he recovered and came back to training he was officially retired in the year 1968. Within two years stiffness caused by the injury meant he could hardly stand.
Arkle was put down at the early age of 13 in the year 1970 On This Day.
Arkle 1957-1970 by Damork on 2012-05-27 12:08:10
Cheltenham by Carine06 on 2014-03-11 14:01:05