page_title: Arkle
hierarchical_section_title: Arkle
caption_attribution_description: English: The Irish thoroughbred racehorse Arkle is widely regarded as the greatest steeplechaser in history. Regarded as a remarkable combination of talent, intelligence and bravery, Arkle was also the first horse to capture the imagination of the Irish and British public outside racing circles. He left everyone who witnessed him in awe of his remarkable abilities. Even when he was still around, the general belief was that racing would never see his kind again. Foaled in 1957, Arkle was bred by Mary Baker and later purchased by Anne, the Duchess of Westminster. He was sired by Archive and the mare Bright Cherry. His grandsire was the undefeated Nearco, one of the best flat racehorses ever. This photograph of Arkle's skeleton was taken at the Irish National Stud in County Kildare, Ireland.
context_page_description: Arkle was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. A bay gelding by Archive out of Bright Cherry, he was the grandson of the unbeaten flat racehorse and prepotent sire Nearco. Arkle was born at Ballymacoll Stud, County Meath, and bred by Mrs Mary Alison Baker of Malahow House, near Naul, County Dublin. He was named after the mountain Arkle in Sutherland, Scotland that bordered the Duchess of Westminster’s Sutherland estate. Owned by Anne Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, he was trained by Tom Dreaper at Greenogue, Kilsallaghan in County Meath, Ireland, and ridden during his steeplechasing career by Pat Taaffe.
  At 212, his Timeform rating is the highest ever awarded to a steeplechaser. Only Flyingbolt, also trained by Dreaper, had a rating anywhere near his at 210. Next on their ratings are Sprinter Sacre on 192 and then Kauto Star and Mill House on 191. Despite his career being cut short by injury, Arkle won three Cheltenham Gold Cups, the Blue Riband of steeplechasing, and a host of other top prizes.
  On 19 April 2014 a 1.1 scale bronze statue was unveiled in Ashbourne, County Meath in commemoration of Arkle.
context_section_description: Arkle (19 April 1957 – 31 May 1970) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. A bay gelding by Archive out of Bright Cherry, he was the grandson of the unbeaten (in 14 races) flat racehorse and prepotent sire Nearco. Arkle was born at Ballymacoll Stud, County Meath, and bred by Mrs Mary Alison Baker of Malahow House, near Naul, County Dublin. He was named after the mountain Arkle in Sutherland, Scotland that bordered the Duchess of Westminster’s Sutherland estate. Owned by Anne Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, he was trained by Tom Dreaper at Greenogue, Kilsallaghan in County Meath, Ireland, and ridden during his steeplechasing career by Pat Taaffe.
  At 212, his Timeform rating is the highest ever awarded to a steeplechaser. Only Flyingbolt, also trained by Dreaper, had a rating anywhere near his at 210.  Next on their ratings are Sprinter Sacre on 192 and then Kauto Star and Mill House on 191. Despite his career being cut short by injury, Arkle won three Cheltenham Gold Cups, the Blue Riband of steeplechasing, and a host of other top prizes.
  On 19 April 2014 a 1.1 scale bronze statue was unveiled in Ashbourne, County Meath in commemoration of Arkle.
caption: Skeleton of Arkle the horse at the Irish National Stud
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