Pearl joins forces with Dessie
Florida Pearl will return to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs next Sunday.
Owned by Corkwoman Violet O’Leary, Florida Pearl will join another former legend of the National Hunt game, Desert Orchid, in the parade before Sunday’s King George VI Chase at Kempton.
The nine-times Grade 1 winner, who was retired during the summer after close on a decade at the top, enjoyed one of his finest moments in the 2001 renewal of the Kempton Park Christmas showpiece.
Under a brilliant ride from Adrian Maguire, Florida Pearl beat subsequent triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate by three parts of a length in 2001.
Florida Pearl made the frame in two Gold Cups, finishing third behind See More Business in 1999 and second behind Looks Like Trouble the following year.
Kempton clerk of the course Brian Clifford is particularly pleased about the participation of Florida Pearl in Sunday’s parade.
Mr Clifford told the : “It’s great that he is coming and Tracy Gilmore, who has looked after him ever since he was at Willie Mullins’ yard, is going to ride him in the parade.”
