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ARKLE: THE LEGEND LIVES ON
This documentary celebrates the 50th anniversary of an extraordinary race, and recalls a golden era when the beloved Irish horse ARKLE changed the face of National Hunt racing forever. In 1964, the greatest steeplechaser of all time beat the champion of England in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. ARKLE's victory over MILL HOUSE became known as the Race of the Century. The documentary narrated by Alastair Down chronicles the golden era when the Irish wonder horse changed the face of jump racing by winning three Gold Cups in Cheltenham and powered past rivals even when he was handicapped with punishing extra weight. It tells how ARKLE literally changed the handicapping system because he was so superior on the track. ARKLE had shown himself to be so superior they changed the handicap rules that had been in place for 100 years with a new weight system introduced when ARKLE was running. His famous rivalry with English champion Mill House is recalled in the documentary with Dublin-trained ARKLE becoming the darling of the nation when he won four out of their five clashes. Racing commentator Brough Scott reveals how ARKLE oozed charisma, loved crowds and pricked his ears as soon as he hit a racing ring. He said, "He was more aware of himself and the interest in him than any other horse I've ever seen. He would look around and people would be oohing and aahing." It also examines how the legend of ARKLE has grown over the past half century and draws upon comparisons with today's great chasers. All surviving connections associated with the great horse are featured within the documentary from his work rider Paddy Woods; to head lad Johnny Lumley, Jim Dreaper - son of trainer Tom Dreaper - Cath Walwyn, wife of the late Fulke Walwyn and Stan Mellor, one of the few jockeys ever to have beaten ARKLE. The documentary also features 96-year-old broadcasting legend Sir Peter O'Sullevan, whose evocative commentaries on ARKLE's three successive Gold Cups from 1964-1966 perfectly captured those thrilling occasions. Never before or since has a horse so powerfully captured the public imagination and become a symbol, not just of success, but of hope. The story of ARKLE is uniquely fascinating. As Brough Scott says in the film, 'It's much more than just a racing story...it's about a nation yearning for something". "In Ireland, ARKLE still inspires devotion."
(48 Minutes)
| Listing Info: | |
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| Listing ID: | 1490 |
| Format(s) Available: | DVD And VHS |
| Category: | National Hunt / Jumps / Steeplechase |