Organised ’Chasing For 100 Years

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31005, 10 March 1966, Page 4

Organised ’Chasing For 100 Years

This year is the centenary of organised steeplechasing, and the National Hunt Committee, the ruling body for winter racing in England, plans to celebrate it at a dinner in London next week. One of the special guests will be the Queen Mother, one of the keenest patrons of the sport.

National Hunt racing is no longer considered a poor relation of flat racing in England.

The feats of the world’s greatest steeplechaser, Arkle, in the last two years, have helped in a great growth in popularity for the sport, and it now stands on comparable terms with a much more commercialised brother. The climax of each National Hunt season is not the Grand National but the Cheltenham meeting in March known as the National Hunt Festival.

Unfortunately, in this centenary year the future of the Grand National remains uncertain.

There are no fixtures allotted to Liverpool under Jockey Club or National Hunt rules after next month, and

March 26 may bring the last Grand National.

The great Arkle had one of the toughest races of his career in last week’s twicepostponed Leopardstown Handicap Steeplechase, the champion having only a neck to spare over Height O’Fashion. It was a performance full of merit, however, for Arkle was giving three stone to each of his three rivals and he had started to “idle” after the last fence. It was the first time that Arkle had ever been in a photo-finish for first place. Arkle has now won 24 races.

Retires After 30 Years

(N.Z. Press Association) HASTINGS. After 30 years as secretary to the Napier Park Racing Club, Miss I. I. Fippard officiated for the last time on the final day of the club’s autumn meeting at Hastings yesterday. Miss Fippard is retiring, but will remain with the club in an advisory capacity for another year.