Crisp (horse)
| Crisp | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Rose Argent (GB) |
| Grandsire | Owen Tudor |
| Dam | Wheat Germ (GB) |
| Damsire | Trigo (IRE) |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1963 |
| Country | Australia |
| Colour | Bay |
| Owner | Thomas Chester Manifold Jnr. |
| Trainer | Fred Winter |
| Major wins | |
|
Queen Mother Champion Chase (1971) Gainsborough Chase (1972) |
|
| Honours | |
| Crisp Steeplechase at Flemington | |
| Last updated on 3 August 2011 | |
Crisp was a champion steeplechase horse. He was a bay Thoroughbred gelding that was foaled in 1963 in Australia. In his native country, he won many important jumping races, particularly two-milers, including the Hiskens Steeplechase in 1969 and 1970. So well did he jump, he was nicknamed "The Black Kangaroo". However, Crisp is probably best remembered for his epic contest with Red Rum in the 1973 Grand National in England.
Crisp made his British debut in a handicap race at Wincanton and was allotted 12 stone 7 pounds (79 kg). He was ridden by Richard Pitman, who would go on to ride Crisp for the majority of his racing life, including at the Grand National. Crisp won his debut race easily, by 15 lengths.
His first major test was the 1971 Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival (now the Queen Mother Champion Chase). Once again, it was an easy victory.
The following year, Crisp's owner decided to run him in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. But the two-miler struggled in the three-and-a-quarter mile race, finishing fifth. Despite the setback, they aimed Crisp at the following year's Grand National, one of the world's most famous steeplechases, at Aintree near Liverpool.
Before the off, Crisp was 9/1 joint-favourite with Red Rum to win the National. However, by the time the runners had reached The Chair, Crisp, who was carrying the top weight of 12 stone (a weight that is now forbidden in the National), had already built up a significant lead and appeared unstoppable. For much of the initial stages, his closest challenger was Bill Shoemark on Grey Sombrero, but that horse fell (fatally) at The Chair, gifting Crisp an even greater lead which had grown to 20 lengths by the end of the first circuit.
Just a furlong to run now, 200 yards now for Crisp, and Red Rum is still closing on him! Crisp is getting very tired, and Red Rum is pounding after him. Red Rum is the one who's finishing the strongest. He's going to get up! Red Rum is going to win the National. At the line Red Rum has just snatched it from Crisp!
...
Wikipedia