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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 gallant grey achieved iconic status within National Hunt racing, where he was much loved by supporters for his iron will and extreme versatility. | The gallant 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. |
| Report: Racing legend Desert Orchid dies | Report: Racing legend Desert Orchid dies |
| 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." |
| Desert Orchid was famed for his flamboyant front-running performances and breathtaking jumping. | Desert Orchid was famed for his flamboyant front-running performances and breathtaking jumping. |
| 606: COMMENT Some of my fondest memories of racing are watching the great grey HH 606: Have your say Photo gallery: Your Desert Orchid tributes | 606: COMMENT Some of my fondest memories of racing are watching the great grey HH 606: Have your say Photo gallery: Your Desert Orchid tributes |
| His most famous victory came in 1989 when he overcame his Cheltenham hoodoo for an emotional triumph. | His most famous victory came in 1989 when he overcame his Cheltenham hoodoo for an emotional triumph. |
| Despite disliking left-handed tracks and with snow falling on the undulating Gloucestershire course, he beat the mud-loving Yahoo to delight a crowd of nearly 60,000 cheering spectators. | Despite disliking left-handed tracks and with snow falling on the undulating Gloucestershire course, he beat the mud-loving Yahoo to delight a crowd of nearly 60,000 cheering spectators. |
| 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. | 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 named the second favourite racehorse of all-time, behind Arkle and ahead of Red Rum, in a poll of Racing Post readers in 2004, with his Gold Cup win voted their favourite ever race. | He was named the second favourite racehorse of all-time, behind Arkle and ahead of Red Rum, in a poll of Racing Post readers in 2004, with his Gold Cup win voted their favourite ever race. |
| And he was so popular, he would receive hundreds of birthday and Christmas cards. A stack of mints, carrots, biscuits and even cake were among countless presents delivered to his stable. | And he was so popular, he would receive hundreds of birthday and Christmas cards. A stack of mints, carrots, biscuits and even cake were among countless presents delivered to his stable. |
| DESERT ORCHID 1979-2006 Foaled: 21 April, 1979Died: 13 November 2006Owners: Richard/Midge BurridgeTrainer: David ElsworthCareer: Races 70. Wins 34 Key victories: King George VI Chase: 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990Cheltenham Gold Cup: 1989Irish Grand National: 1990Whitbread Gold Cup: 1988 "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. | DESERT ORCHID 1979-2006 Foaled: 21 April, 1979Died: 13 November 2006Owners: Richard/Midge BurridgeTrainer: David ElsworthCareer: Races 70. Wins 34 Key victories: King George VI Chase: 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990Cheltenham Gold Cup: 1989Irish Grand National: 1990Whitbread Gold Cup: 1988 "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." |
| Desert Orchid died in his stable at 6.05 GMT on Monday. His co-owner Richard Burridge and former stable lass Janice Coyle had visited him the previous day. | |
| Newmarket-based Elsworth said: "Desert Orchid will be laid to rest at Kempton Park near his statue where many of his most memorable triumphs took place." | Newmarket-based Elsworth said: "Desert Orchid will be laid to rest at Kempton Park near his statue where many of his most memorable triumphs took place." |
| The course has already named a race after him, which will be run for the first time on 27 December. | The course has already named a race after him, which will be run for the first time on 27 December. |
| Simon Sherwood, who was on board Desert Orchid when he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, was among those to pay tribute. | Simon Sherwood, who was on board Desert Orchid when he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, was among those to pay tribute. |
| "He was brave, tough, intelligent and totally honest," said Sherwood, who also won the King George twice and Whitbread Gold Cup. | "He was brave, tough, intelligent and totally honest," said Sherwood, who also won the King George twice and Whitbread Gold Cup. |
| "He remained at the top level for a long period of time, doing it the hard way from the front. | "He remained at the top level for a long period of time, doing it the hard way from the front. |
| "Without doubt he could have won three or four Gold Cups if Cheltenham had been right-handed." | "Without doubt he could have won three or four Gold Cups if Cheltenham had been right-handed." |
| I think his fans thought he was immortal Midge Burridge, Desert Orchid's co-owner Former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody rode Desert Orchid to two King George wins and victory in the Irish Grand National. | I think his fans thought he was immortal Midge Burridge, Desert Orchid's co-owner Former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody rode Desert Orchid to two King George wins and victory in the Irish Grand National. |
| "He was a fantastic horse to ride and without doubt the best horse I ever rode in my entire career," said Dunwoody. | "He was a fantastic horse to ride and without doubt the best horse I ever rode in my entire career," said Dunwoody. |
| Co-owner Midge Burridge said his death would be felt by thousands of fans around the globe. | Co-owner Midge Burridge said his death would be felt by thousands of fans around the globe. |
| "They all absolutely adored him. It is going to be terribly sad for all of them," he said. | "They all absolutely adored him. It is going to be terribly sad for all of them," he said. |
| "Some of them are quite elderly people and I think they thought he was immortal." | "Some of them are quite elderly people and I think they thought he was immortal." |
| Former jockey Colin Brown, who rode the horse in his early races, told BBC Five Live: "He was just a great character, who never knew when he was beaten, and never had an injury until he retired. | Former jockey Colin Brown, who rode the horse in his early races, told BBC Five Live: "He was just a great character, who never knew when he was beaten, and never had an injury until he retired. |
| "He was a great jumper, who had guts like a lion. You could ride him like you were driving a car, and just ask him to go faster or slower." | "He was a great jumper, who had guts like a lion. You could ride him like you were driving a car, and just ask him to go faster or slower." |