The wonderful Grey, Dessie has died aged 27 he passed away from natural causes

Race free at the Bridge brave one You are a legend

I cried buckets when I heard this on the radio earlier.  I saw him up close and personal in seven races, all of which he won.  He was magnificent in every way and still was when I saw him for the last time parading at Wincanton earlier this year, bucking and jogging and giving Janice a really hard time!  What a character :)

A true legend.

Debs

Awwww, I cant believe he was retired so long ago!
Certainly one for the history books.

I cried on the packed commuter train home reading a tribute in the London evening paper...I thought I'd got away with it, with a swift Head tilt to stem the tears and quiet *sniff* until the Businessman beside me patted my hand and thus continued a very animated conversation amongst the 6 of us complete strangers about Dessie ( these 6 strangers who always sit together on the same train at the same time every day..but til then had never spoken to each other!!)

Ditto MM..Race free Dessie...an absolute legend.

Gallop free Dessie - the going is good for you now.

Margot

Race on Dessie x

I hope the grass is green in the final Winner's Enclosure. :)

I was hugely priviledged to have been connected with Dessie in a very small way. His part owner/breeder, Jimmy Burridge, was a very dear friend and when Dessie retired from racing, I used to help him organise Dessie's public appearances. He was the most amazing character. His power was awesome. I rode him on many occasions. It was rather like driving a ferrari with the accelerator jammed and no brakes. Wherever we went with Dessie, huge crowds would gather just for the chance to touch him. He absolutely loved the limelight and thrived on public adoration. I'm going to miss him so much. I knew the end was getting near but when Richard Burridge rang me on Monday morning to tell me the news, I just couldn't take it in. He seemed to be immortal. He was so brave and flamboyant. He had what the Irish call "The Look Of Eagles".
The way he would just prick his ears and fix you with his huge, dark eyes, as if to say "Look at me, aren't I magnificent". Yes Dessie, you were magnificent in every way. Wherever you are, I hope you've been reunited with Jimmy. I'll watch the skies and hope I see you both, galloping across the heavens. Run free dearest Dessie.

I cried when I heard too, what a great horse he was - and what a fabulous life he lived. I saw him last year, prancing around like a youngster loving all the attention. Run free Dessie

Loved that horse.

Run free old boy.

What a cracking horse he was - so sad - run free Dessie.

i to watched all dessies races, i also have a scrap book that i started years ago, i will cherish it more now. at least he had years in wonderful retirement, poor best mate didnt make that. i was also in his fanclub when it first started.  its nice he is being buried at kempton after so many wins there, under his beautiful statue. he will be sadly missed parading on boxing day.  good bye you lovely white boy.