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Best Loved Racing Horse of the Era Dies

Even those who aren?t great race-horsing fans were familiar with the name, Desert Storm. This gallant gray, lovingly called ?Dessie? by his millions of fans, enjoyed an amazing career in his 27 years of life and even after he was retired in 1991, was still the darling of the crowds at charity events, royal gatherings and industry promotions until his death this month.

Desert Storm won 34 of his 70 races throughout his horseracing career and was the only horse in history to ever win the King George VI Chase event four times. Dessie?s early racing career was largely undistinguished, although he showed a lot of promise initially as a novice. However, in 1989, he switched to bigger obstacles and suddenly he became a household name after he beat Door Latch in the 1986 King George VI Chase. 1988 was surely the gray?s most memorable year, as he won the South West Pattern Chase, the Single Creek Chase and another King George title. That same year, he won the Victor Chandler and the Gainsborough Chase. Dessie also took part in ? and won ? the contest that was voted the Race of the Century, when he outran Yahoo in treacherous weather conditions at the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Desert Storm finally retired in 1989 and started a second career, appearing at charity events around the United Kingdom and even trotting proudly in the pageant in honor of the Queen Mother?s 90th birthday. Dessie enjoyed unrivaled adoration from fans around the world and even had a fan club set up in his honor. Dessie died at the age of 27 at the home of his trainer, David Elsworth in Newmarket.