Dessie ready for his Kempton party trick
Few horses will ever match the popularity of Desert Orchid.
The grey captured the hearts of the racing world during an illustrious career, and his loyal fans will turn out in droves to cheer him on again when he leads the pre-race parade for the Pertemps King George VI Chase on Boxing Day this year.
Dessie, as he has long been affectionately known, retired from racing in 1991, but his appearance at Kempton remains a highlight of the Christmas period.
This year will be no exception as his owners, the Burridges, will dispatch him off to the Sunbury track to link up with former pilot Richard Dunwoody.
“Colin Brown usually rides him and he knows him well, but there have been one or two jockeys who have been run away with on him! Once he’s back on a racecourse he really seems to wake up,” reports co-owner Midge Burridge.
Desert Orchid was foaled on April 11, 1979, and his career spanned eight years and encompassed 34 wins, including one memorable Cheltenham Gold Cup and four King Georges.
Dessie landed his first win in the Kempton showpiece in 1986 under Simon Sherwood, when he defeated Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Forgive’N Forget, among others, for a 15-length triumph.
He was beaten by Nupsala in 1987 but bounced back with a vengeance in ‘88 for trainer David Elsworth, beating Kildimo by four lengths to land a second win.
It was a case of history repeating the following year as he ran and jumped with his customary gusto under new partner Dunwoody to defeat Barnbrook Again by eight lengths and equal Wayward Lad’s record three wins in the race.
However, the nation’s favourite grey produced another vintage performance at the grand age of 11 years old to smash that record in 1990.
Dunwoody never had a worry as Dessie turned in another show round of jumping, clearing every fence superbly while maintaining his relentless gallop to win by 12 lengths.
Mrs Burridge enjoyed all the wins, but has a special place in her heart for his first and last victories.
She explains: “The first win was the most unexpected. That was terribly exciting, as only David believed he would get the three miles.
“I think the last one was wonderful, too, as the press had completely written him off and said he should have been retired, but then he won by 12 lengths.”
Unfortunately the scene of his greatest triumphs was also the setting for his sad departure from racing the following year.
Dessie’s usually impeccable jumping let him down as he took a crashing fall, and he bowed out of racing on a disappointing note.
Since his retirement though, Dessie has been far from idle. Though the ‘old man’ is taking it a little more steady now, he has appeared at many charity functions, at racecourses and at other events in a busy social calendar. And he returns to Elsworth’s Whitsbury Manor Stables every winter to help the trainer settle his new stock.
“He used to do a lot of appearances, a lot of big horse shows, racecourse appearances and things,” says Mrs Burridge. “He raised a lot of money for charity, but he is 24 coming up to 25 now and he doesn’t do nearly so much. He’s quite an old boy.
“At the moment he’s staying with David Elsworth and he’ll be staying with him until after the King George.
“He’s been down there every winter for quite a long time. He goes back to his old box and he leads out the yearlings with Rodney Boult.
“He went to David’s in the second week of September after having his fan club open day, which was down in Lambourn for the first time this year.
“Then he goes up to Yorkshire in the summer and does the odd appearance.
“He will be at David’s until the beginning of January and he absolutely loves it there.”
Although Dessie may be out of the public eye a little these days, he is certainly not forgotten.
His fan club, which is run by Mrs Burridge and John Hippisley, is still well subscribed and raises plenty of money for the Injured Jockeys’ Fund and caring for ill-treated horses and donkeys.
Dessie’s fans certainly don’t forget to send a few treats his way during the Festive period, and the postman has been struggling with a heavy sack of mail for the horse again this year.
Mrs Burridge adds: “He’s got masses of presents this year, treats like Polos and carrots and absolutely loads of cards. He gets cards and presents on his birthday still, too.”
There will always be a reminder of the gallant grey at Kempton as his statue stands by the parade ring.
Desert Orchid’s record of wins in the race is unlikely to be surpassed and it is a credit to his durability and bravery that he managed so many victories at the highest level for such a long time.
His place in King George history is secure, and those who were lucky enough to see him race will never forget.
