Now for a personal favourite of mine. He was known simply as 'the Iron Horse', and never was a name so richly deserved. The great Giant's Causeway was as tough as they come and he showed all his battling qualities throughout his excellent campaign in 2000. He was never out of the first two in all his 13 starts and won 9 of them. During the year of 2000 he ran in no less than 10 times, 9 of them at Group 1 level. He won 5 consecutive Group 1 prizes, including the St James' Palace, the Eclipse, the Sussex, the International, the Irish Champion and the QEII. In his other races he won a Group 3 and finished 2nd in another 4 Group 1 prizes. He might not have been the most brilliant racehorse that ever ran but he was one of the toughest. His battling qualities and level of consistency were remarkable. In his final start he was sent to take on the best that America had to offer in the Breeders' Cup Classic on the dirt. It is always a tough ask for a horse to transfer their turf form to the dirt but if ever a horse was tough enough to cope with the challenge then the Iron Horse was the one.
As you would expect a top class field assembled for America's biggest prize. The field included Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, Belmont winner from 1999 Lemon Drop Kid, and Grade 1 winners Tiznow, Captain Steve, Albert The Great, Cat Thief and Golden Missile. Giant's Causeway was drawn poorly in stall 14 of 14. He broke well and tracked to the inner under Mick Kinane but he was stuck 4 wide round the first turn as Albert The Great set a decent pace from Tiznow. As the field raced down the back stretch he settled in 3rd as Tiznow moved up to push the pace. As expected he was off the bridle entering the home turn. But this was not a cause for concern because this was a horse that found plenty for pressure. The giant Tiznow travelled strongly into a clear-cut lead entering the home straight as Mick Kinane went for everything on the Iron Horse. He had a couple of lengths to make up and he gradually closed the gap. Throughout the final furlong a titanic battle ensued. Giant's Causeway just got his head in front inside the final furlong. But in the end he was unable to get past the American horse going down by a 1/4 length after an epic tussle. In many ways it was a fitting end to his career because he was a battler through and through. It was typical of the horse that he could find a way to challenge under such unfavourable circumstances. A poor draw, travelling wide and the new surface were not enough to make him lay down and he fought all the way to the line. His tenacity and determination deserved a win but it was not to be. Despite this it was a race that exemplified everything great about horse racing as two of the best horses in the world battled up the home straight for a major prize. A great race and a fitting end to the career of the Iron Horse.
And whilst this is something of a diversion, if anybody questions the will to win of a racehorse i advise that you point them in the direction of the Iron Horse. His displays earlier in the season are well worth a look to those who have not had the pleasure of witnessing them. He simply refused to be beaten. He was never impressive but always seemed to find a way of having his head in front when it mattered most.
The St James' Palace - They lined up to challenge but just couldn't get past.
The Eclipse -What a race with Kalanisi, Sakhee, Shiva and Fantastic Light in opposition. But once again he just will not be beaten.
The Sussex Stakes - A return to a mile but still too strong as he sees off Dansili.
The International - Another titanic battle with Kalanisi, this time challenging wide to avoid a fight, but the Iron Horse is impossible to pass once more.
The Irish Champion Stakes - 5 consecutive Group 1s as he holds of Best Of The Bests and the fast finishing Greek Dance.
A mighty fine racehorse.
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