Golden Miller

It is fitting that in 2009 we had a contender for the Gold Cup / Grand National double in Denman (although ultimately he did not run in the Grand National), as this year is the 75th anniversary of the first and, to date, only time that this incredible achievement has been completed.

Whilst it is right that in these tricky times we look to the future of our sport, there has to be a case for celebrating the legends that have brought us to where we are today. This will be the year when racing has the chance to pay homage to probably the greatest steeplechaser to be trained and run in Britain – the peerless Golden Miller. 

By 1934 Golden Miller had already earned two Gold Cups for the trophy cabinet on behalf of his owner Miss Dorothy Paget, so it is no surprise that he was the 6/5 favourite to gain another. Seven runners went to post, many of them with National entries, but 1¼ mile from the line it was clear to all that the triple was in the bag. Gerry Wilson and ‘The Miller’ crossed the line easing up, a full six lengths ahead of the five-year-old Avenger. This was the first of the Miller’s outstanding achievements of the year – the first horse to win three consecutive Gold Cups, a feat that would be matched by the great Best Mate in 2004. Golden Miller would go on to win a record five Gold Cups – an unbroken record. 

In 1934 there was no time to celebrate as Dorothy Paget, a fearless gambler, had tasked Golden Miller’s trainer Basil Briscoe with getting her star performer ready for The Grand National – which was in 15 days time! 

Golden Miller went to post at Aintree carrying 12st 2lb and was priced at 9/1, with hindsight these odds look generous, even for a National. There were a couple of heart-stopping moments, both times at Becher’s when The Miller stumbled on landing – but reflecting his brilliant jumping ability and Gerry Wilson’s talent, the partnership stayed intact to cross the line in a new record time of 9min 21secs. Should we need an example of the part that the great legends play in steeple chasing, it is worth noting that this record was eventually only broken by the incomparable Red Rum! 

Was Golden Miller the greatest? – Almost certainly! The only other contender is The ‘Mighty’ Arkle, who would probably win on popular opinion only because he falls within the ‘living memory’ category – but if racing forgets its legends what chance the future? 

And so it is 75 years ago that the double was achieved, a feat that racing fans everywhere should celebrate with as much enthusiasm and pride that those other sporting fans commemorate 1966 and all that.

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