In an impressive racing career which lasted from 1972 until 1981, Sea Pigeon (1970–2000) was a racehorse who competed in eighty-five races, and won thirty-seven times. Amongst Sea Pigeon's best known performances were in the Champion Hurdle races - which he won on two consecutive occasions - in 1980 and 1981.
After a defeat to rival Monksfield in 1979, Sea Pigeon won the Champion Hurdle for the first time in 1980, at the age of 10. Sea Pigeon snatched the win from Monksfield in the last seconds to win by seven lengths, with commentator Peter O’Sullevan exclaiming "It's the old man Sea Pigeon, he's won it at last”!
For any old school fans of horseracing, the legend of Sea Pigeon, and indeed his impressive win at Cheltenham, is surely a vivid memory even three decades on. The Sporting Medals & Trophies Auction this month sees Sea Pigeon’s Waterford Crystal trophy, together with his Waterford Crystal Champion Hurdle medal go under the hammer at McTear’s. These important pieces of horseracing history feature at lot 1927, with an auction estimate of £5,000-8,000.
Hannah Murphy
For a free no obligation auction valuation, please contact Hannah Murphy on 0141 810 2880, or email HannahMurphy@mctears.co.uk
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