If you can, cast your mind back to 29 March, 2014.
On that day, at Rosehill racecourse, the Irish visitor GORDON LORD BYRON, with Craig Williams aboard, came home like a train from 10th on the bend to narrowly win the then $1million G1 George Ryder Stakes over 1500m.
The track was wet and he was a $19 chance.
He went back home after that bathed in glory and over the next few years won a couple of Gr 2 races. In fact he won 16 races in his time.
You’d think, given he was a 7YO that day at Rosehill, he’d be happily prowling around paddocks eating the greenest of grass in Ireland today.
But nope, that’s not the case for the sprightly 12 YO.
In fact, the winner of $2 million in prizemoney is lining up at Haydock attempting a piece of history today.
Gordon Lord Byron is going to run in a 1400m Conditions race at Haydock called….The Gordon Lord Byron EBF Stakes! And he looks a big chance.
His trainer, Tom Haydon, has booked Frankie Dettori to ride him today.
And Haydon said on the Haydock website, “It is a really lovely gesture by Haydock to put on this race in his honour, they are great people there.
“I take him to the beach most weeks, it is a 100 miles journey from where I train, but it is well worth it because he loves the sand and sea under his hooves.
“He gets five-star treatment and it is all about keeping him happy and content.”
Should Gordon Lord Byron emerge victorious on his return to Haydock, you’d expect that would be his swan song.
However, his County Tipperary-based trainer insists retirement is not on his mind….or the horse’s either.
“He really enjoys his life – and I don’t see any reason why he will not stay in training next year.”
