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| Racing legend Desert Orchid dies | Racing legend Desert Orchid dies |
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| Legendary racehorse Desert Orchid has died at the age of 27. | Legendary racehorse Desert Orchid has died at the age of 27. |
| The dashing grey achieved iconic status within National Hunt racing, where he was much loved by supporters for his iron will and extreme versatility. | The dashing grey achieved iconic status within National Hunt racing, where he was much loved by supporters for his iron will and extreme versatility. |
| He won 34 races in total, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and seven at his beloved Kempton, where he won the King George VI Chase a record four times. | He won 34 races in total, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and seven at his beloved Kempton, where he won the King George VI Chase a record four times. |
| Former trainer David Elsworth said the horse, nicknamed 'Dessie', died peacefully in his stable on Monday. | Former trainer David Elsworth said the horse, nicknamed 'Dessie', died peacefully in his stable on Monday. |
| Elsworth added: "There was no stress, he departed from this world with dignity and no fuss. | Elsworth added: "There was no stress, he departed from this world with dignity and no fuss. |
| "He did his dying in the same individual way that he did his living. It was time to go." | "He did his dying in the same individual way that he did his living. It was time to go." |
| 606: COMMENT Some of my fondest memories of racing are watching the great grey HH 606: Have your say Desert Orchid's most famous victory came in 1989 when he overcame his Cheltenham hoodoo for an emotional triumph. | |
| He landed jump racing's Christmas showpiece, the King George, four times between 1986 and 1990, and was retired in 1991. | He landed jump racing's Christmas showpiece, the King George, four times between 1986 and 1990, and was retired in 1991. |
| In his advancing years, Desert Orchid became a distinguished figure as his grey coat grew whiter, and he was warmly cheered when paraded before big races. | |
| "He was 27 years old and we had been involved with this wonderful horse for a quarter of a century both in his racing days and retirement," said Elsworth. | "He was 27 years old and we had been involved with this wonderful horse for a quarter of a century both in his racing days and retirement," said Elsworth. |
| "Everybody will miss him and our sympathy goes to his adoring public and fan club that never ceased to take opportunities to see him at his public appearances." | "Everybody will miss him and our sympathy goes to his adoring public and fan club that never ceased to take opportunities to see him at his public appearances." |
| He added: "Desert Orchid will be laid to rest at Kempton Park near his statue where many of his most memorable triumphs took place." |