Mill House (1957–1975) was an Irish-bred but English-trained racehorse. He is considered one of the best
National Hunt racing
In horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Republic of Ireland, National Hunt racing requires horses to jump fences and ditches. National Hunt racing in the UK is informally known as "jumps" and is divided into two major distinct branches: ...
competitors in UK horse racing history but whose quality was overshadowed by arch rival
Arkle. Mill House won the 1963
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt horse race run on the New Course at Cheltenham Racecourse in England, over a distance of about 3 miles 2½ furlongs (3 ...
and 1967
Whitbread Gold Cup
Whitbread plc is a multinational British hotel and restaurant company headquartered in Houghton Regis, England.
The business was founded as a brewery in 1742, and had become the largest brewery in the world by the 1780s.
Its largest division ...
.
Known as 'The Big Horse' on account of his height of 18 hands, Mill House took part in one of the most famous battles of National Hunt Racing when in March 1964, he defended his Cheltenham crown against the Irish star Arkle. Trained by
Fulke Walwyn
Fulke Thomas Tyndall Walwyn CVO (8 November 1910 – 18 February 1991) was a British jockey and a celebrated racehorse trainer, who was particularly successful in National Hunt racing.
Life
Walwyn was born in Wrexham. His twin sister, Helen Jo ...
and ridden by
Willie Robinson, Mill House matched Arkle stride for stride over the last two miles before losing by five lengths.
The following year, Mill House took Arkle on again in the Gold Cup but lost. His size meant increasing back problems, and he failed to participate in 1966 when Arkle won his third crown. In 1967, Mill House was back but Arkle was not, having been retired after suffering a serious leg injury a few months before at Kempton. However, Mill House slipped and fell at an open ditch in the back straight and left the race to a virtual unknown, Woodland Venture.
A few weeks later, Mill House won the prestigious Whitbread Gold Cup under top weight at Sandown Park. It was his last major win. Continuing back weakness plagued his campaign in 1968 when he fell again in both the Cheltenham and Whitbread Gold Cups. He died in October 1975.
Mill House still has among the highest ratings ever for a National Hunt horse - see
Timeform
Timeform is a sports data and content provider located in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. Founded in 1948, it provides systematic information on form to punters and others involved in the horse racing industry. The company was purchased by t ...
.
References
Mill House's pedigree and racing stats
{{Cheltenham Gold Cup winners
1957 racehorse births
1975 racehorse deaths
Racehorses bred in Ireland
Racehorses trained in the United Kingdom
Cheltenham Gold Cup winners
Cheltenham Festival winners
Thoroughbred family 21-a
National Hunt racehorses