Every racing fan has that horse – the one they’ll never forget. Whether it was because of an unforgettable victory, an emotional comeback, or a memorable winning bet, some horses stay with us forever.

We asked the team at Ludlow Racecourse to name their all-time favourite racehorse… here’s what they said.

Simon

It has to be Desert Orchid. He helped me achieve so many of my goals as a jockey. His will to win was undeniable, and his charisma was contagious. He was truly one of a kind.

West Awake would be another close favourite.

Diane

Arkle, for me. I absolutely loved his colour, and he had a fantastic personality, which is something I really admire in a horse. He was quirky, and the way he moved was incredible. He was a joy to watch and will always be fondly remembered.

Jake

For me, it’s got to be Coole Cody, trained by Evan Williams. I think I backed him every time he ran!

I remember being at university with about £20 to my name when he won at the Cheltenham Festival. I had him at around 20/1 and, luckily, put £10 on him. It made my week—and probably my housemates’ too! (Not that I’d advise anyone to do that!)

His front-running style, heart, and determination made me love him. He was the ultimate underdog who always seemed to grind out a place or a win. He gave us some amazing victories over the years.

Ben

Trying to choose just one favourite horse of all time has been a real challenge because of my love for National Hunt racing.

Monbeg Dude had such a unique way of racing, and his partnership with Paul Carberry was something special. His Welsh National victory will live long in the memory.

Lord Windermere won both the RSA Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup despite showing very little form in between—or afterwards—which meant he often rewarded supporters with generous odds. For 20-year-old me, his Gold Cup victory was massive.

If I take the betting winnings out of the equation, though, the decision becomes much easier.

The horse that truly captured my heart and embodies everything that’s great about National Hunt racing is Sprinter Sacre.

He produced “wow” moments on demand—until he didn’t. A difficult spell, during which Nicky Henderson couldn’t quite get him right, reminded everyone that these horses aren’t machines.

Then, just when everyone had written him off ahead of the 2016 Champion Chase in favour of the younger Un De Sceaux, he produced another unforgettable “wow” moment.

I challenge anyone to watch that race back without getting goosebumps. As they turned for home, hot favourite Un De Sceaux, with Ruby Walsh sitting motionless in the saddle, looked full of running. Then Sprinter Sacre and Nico de Boinville swept past, Nico barely able to hold onto him. He stormed up the Cheltenham hill, the packed crowd erupted, and one of racing’s greatest comebacks was complete.

He beat three champion chasers with ease that day, and when you look back through his form, it’s a who’s who of two-mile chasers. That performance was simply extraordinary.

The most talented jumps horse I’ve ever seen—and with the best story to match.

Lesley

Mine is Armentières, as he was owned by my aunt, Freda Rayson. He used to race at Cartmel, which was only a few minutes away by train for me. He even managed to win and be placed a few times, which made it extra special for our family.

Dave

Definitely Kauto Star. He was one of the very best and, on his day, was almost impossible to beat. He was an incredible horse to watch.

Anita

Red Rum is my all-time favourite. He was winning when I was growing up and was probably the horse that sparked my love of racing. I was lucky enough to meet him at a sporting weekend away, which was an unforgettable experience. Winning the Grand National three times cemented his place as a true racing icon