Half a century after his death Arkle still heads the field of greatness

POETRY IN MOTION: Arkle and Pat Taafe en route to victory in the 1965 Gallaher Gold Cup, arguably his most impressive victory. Photo by Dennis Oulds/Central Press/Getty Images

If you come seeking folksy clichés, then look somewhere else. You’ll find no bottles of Guinness mixed in the daily feed bucket or homemade Christmas cards addressed simply to ‘Himself, Ireland.’ No singing of sentimental ballads, no mystical healing powers or descriptions of horses with human characteristics.