DESERT ORCHID Story of a Champion Jonathan Powell 1989

DESERT ORCHID The Story of a Champion by Jonathan Powell

Hardback with dust cover. 141 pages, black and white and colour photographs throughout. Published by Stanley Paul 1989.

Price clipped and name inscription inside, otherwise good condition.

The finish of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March 1989 will long be remembered as one of the supreme moments in sport.  Snow, sleet and rain swept across the Cotswolds all day until the conditions were almost unraceable.  One horse's name alone was on the lips of the record crowd of more than 50,000, who had defied the worst of the weather.  His name was DESERT ORCHID.
Through the gloom and the mud, galloping and jumping, with soaring spirit, the handsome iron-willed grey steeplechaser touched the hearts of the nation with a late and improbable victory charge up the final pitiless hill.  Emotion overflowed as he fought his way back through the huge cheering crowds to the hallowed winner's circle.  It was his 27th success in a long, extraordinary and uplifting career that stretched back over seven seasons.  This is his story.