Memories of Mister McGoldrick

The 2008 Festival wasn’t going well no winners on Tuesday, no racing on Wednesday and by mid-afternoon Thursday still no sign of a success (unless you count tipping Alberta’s Run and then not having a bet on it !). Watched the runners parade I still wasn’t sure what I fancied in the Racing Post Plate, although Mister McGoldrick looked good, a year earlier he had been good enough to run in the Champion Chase and I had won money on him a few times at Wetherby. Close to not having a bet I looked at the tote window as I entered the bar and saw the odds so took out the remaining pound coins from my pocket (8 in total) and had a £4 each way bet. What followed was one of the best moments I have experienced in over 50 years of watching racing – the result was never in doubt as they passed the grandstand first time his jumping was breathtaking and he continued to pull away. As I watched from my seat and they came down the hill I seemed to be the only person in the stand cheering – in fact I was on feet screaming (not great for those behind me as I am 6ft 8in tall). I went down to watch him come into the winners enclosure and as I got there the commentator announced the tote return £175 to a £1 stake – with the place money I had won over £800 for just a £4ew.

Mister McGoldrick still gets regular mentions in our house and is without doubt one of my favourite horses of all time.