Astonishingly rated nearly two stone inferior to Arkle, the highest-rated steeplechaser of the Timeform era – which, as far as National Hunt racing is concerned, began in the early Sixties – Desert Orchid became the most popular, and recognisable, horse in training in the Eighties. Notwithstanding his early success over the smaller obstacles – he ran, albeit without distinction, in the Champion Hurdle famously won by Dawn Run in 1984 – Desert Orchid was best known for his exploits over fences. Indeed, his often breathtaking jumping ability, combined with his tenacity and versatility, in terms of distance and going, made him a public favourite.
Owned by Richard Burridge and trained by David Elsworth at Whitsbury Manor in Fordingbridge, Wiltshire, Desert Orchid rose to nationwide prominence when winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, 1986. Forsaken by his regular partner, Colin Brown, in favour of better-fancied stable companion Combs Ditch and with doubts about his stamina for the three-mile distance, he was sent off at odds of 16/1. However, under Simon Sherwood, he put quality opposition, including Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Forgive ‘N’ Forget, to the sword, winning by 15 lengths. Desert Orchid was always better – a stone better, according to Sherwood – going right-handed, so his victory in the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup, not only going left-handed, but on unfavoured heavy going, was all the more remarkable.
Desert Orchid ran his last race in the King George VI Chase at Kempton – a race that he had already won four times, in 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1989 – on Boxing Day, 1991. As a twelve-year-old, he had to be ridden along to hold his position after the final open ditch, dropped to last turning into the straight and finally parted company with jockey Richard Dunwoody three fences from home. Nevertheless, in his eight-year career, he won 34 of his 70 races and just over £650,000 in total prize money.