My Favourite Horse of All Time

Sea Pigeon

by Wendy Myers

Sea Pigeon having won the Ebor Handicap in 1979

Sea Pigeon - the very name evokes a vision of racing excellence. A legend in his own lifetime, Sea Pigeon was one of the greatest and best-loved stars from 'The Golden Age of Hurdling' in the 1970s.

However, the ultra-tough Sea Pigeon's story begins in America. He was classically bred into the purple, being a son of the greatest flat race horse ever - the mighty Sea Bird II (rated 145) out of Around The Roses, a daughter of the American Champion, Round Table. He was foaled at Greentree Stud, Lexington, Kentucky, at 4 a.m. on 7th March 1970.

Sea Pigeon's action was deemed more suitable for English racetracks and he was trained for the 1973 Derby by Jeremy Tree at Beckhampton. Disappointingly, he came seventh behind Morston and shortly afterward he was gelded. He was then sold to Pat Muldoon and spent a short time with Gordon Richards before transferring to Peter Easterby's yard near Malton.

Sea Pigeon competed under both codes - winning 16 races on the Flat and 21 races under National Hunt rules. During a racing career from 1972 to 1982 he amassed prize money of £277,045 and is acknowledged as the best 'all-rounder' since Brown Jack in the 1920s. The grace and fluency of his hurdling was a joy to behold and his lethal acceleration at the end of high-class races was simply breathtaking. (Sea Pigeon's confrontations with Monksfield at Cheltenham was the stuff of legends - Editor)

In a superb career, the big races he won are as follows:

Sea Pigeon has always had the ability to generate deep devotion from those closest to him. He was so adored by his stable lass, Monica Wakefield that, when he retired, she too handed in her resignation. His early retirement years were a potential disaster story that had a fairy tale ending. By 1984 his owner found he was unable to keep him and the future looked bleak. Sea Pigeon was living at Etchingham Stud, Slingsby, and the Stud's owner, Ms Polly Perkins, kept him for three years, after which time Lord and Lady Oaksey stepped in and set up a Trust to fund his retirement years. All Sea Pigeon's fans are very much in their debt.

Sea Pigeon continues to hold court at Etchingham Stud where he is devotedly cared for by Polly Perkins, who ensures that he enjoys the loving and happy retirement he so richly deserves. I believe that it is largely due to Polly's expertise that we were all able to celebrate Pigeon's 30th birthday on 7th March. The event was covered by Racing Post, Yorkshire Television and radio. To Polly, also, we owe a debt of gratitude.

On a personal level I first became acquainted with Sea Pigeon in 1996 and while it was undeniably his fame that initially attracted me, it is the horse himself who continues to hold my heart. I come from a dog showing background and had little interest in horses prior to 1995 - indeed, I was fearful of them if I had to pass through a field where they were grazing! A gradual interest in high-class races developed and, more particularly, an interest in past and present great horses, generated no doubt by the racing books I was acquiring at an alarming rate.

Sea Pigeon and her devoted fam Wendy Myers

When I finally caught up with Sea Pigeon at Malton Open Day, little could I imagine the huge impact he would have on my life. The lady in charge of him (Polly) was very approachable, answering all questions with patience and humour, and I was ecstatic when she invited me to visit the Stud the following morning. Sea Pigeon was such a gentleman in his box that I felt no fear at all. He crunched my five packets of Polo mints and then, quite unexpectedly but so touchingly, laid his muzzle on my shoulder while I stroked him. He has repeated this endearing gesture several times since then and each time it leaves me on 'cloud nine' for the rest of the day.

I visit him at Etchingham Stud every other month and have been made so welcome that each visit is eagerly anticipated. Indeed, Polly and I have a standing joke that after six weeks I get withdrawal symptoms and need to return for another 'fix'. It is difficult not to get emotive about a horse like Sea Pigeon - he has such endearing ways, although, as befits a great champion, he is no milksop and can be dominant and quite a handful. He is a life-enhancer, enriching the lives of all who enter his orbit - and time spent in his company leaves one with a tremendous feeling of joy and lightness of spirit. To me, he is simply pure magic and the longer I have known him, the deeper my attachment has become.

On the 'down to earth' side, my visits to see him have allowed me to overcome my fear of horses and have given me an interest and some insight into horses generally. The Stud nurtures horses, taking in 'care' cases, bringing back horses from injury, preparing horses for the sales, foaling in-foal mares, plus livery. The time I have spent there has been a real education. I am privileged to have Sea Pigeon for a friend; he has opened up a whole new world for me.

In conclusion, Sea Pigeon continues to be a wonderful ambassador for racing. He doesn't travel too well these days and his outings are curtailed to his own area, but he can be seen parading before the Ebor Handicap at York Racecourse and also at Malton Open Day. Like all great actors, he plays to his audience with aplomb and never passes up the opportunity of a photo-call. He was always a handsome horse and, even now, at 30 years old, his neck and head carriage are still proud and magnificent. His high intelligence is obvious to all who meet him and he retains a lively and enthusiastic interest in life. To paraphrase Shakespeare, truly "a horse unparalleled".