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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. | 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. |
| 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. |
Key | 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. |
| 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 And he was so popular, he would receive hundreds of birthday and Christmas cards, as well as countless presents delivered to his stable. | |
| "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." |
| Desert Orchid died in his Newmarket stable at 6.05 GMT on Monday. | |
| Elsworth said: "Desert Orchid will be laid to rest at Kempton Park near his statue where many of his most memorable triumphs took place." | 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. | |
| Former jockey Colin Brown, who rode the horse in his early races, was among those to pay tribute. | |
| "He was just a great character, who never knew when he was beaten, and never had an injury until he retired," Brown 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," Brown told BBC Five Live. |
| "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." |
| One of his owners, 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. | |
| "Some of them are quite elderly people and I think they thought he was immortal." |