# Limber Hill

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British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Limber Hill Sire Bassam Grandsire Guido Reni Dam Mindoon Damsire Gainsborough Sex Gelding Foaled 1947[1] Country United Kingdom Colour Chestnut Breeder James Davey Owner James Davey Trainer Bill Dutton Major wins National Hunt Handicap Chase (1955) King George VI Chase (1955) Cheltenham Gold Cup (1956)

**Limber Hill** (foaled 1947) was a British [Thoroughbred](/source/Thoroughbred) racehorse who won the 1956 [Cheltenham Gold Cup](/source/Cheltenham_Gold_Cup). He was owned and bred by James Davey and trained in [Yorkshire](/source/Yorkshire) by [Bill Dutton](/source/Bill_Dutton_(trainer)). After racing on the [point-to-point](/source/Point-to-point_(steeplechase)) circuit he then ran over [hurdles](/source/Hurdling_(horse_race)) before becoming a steeplechaser in 1954. He made an immediate impact and won the [National Hunt Handicap Chase](/source/National_Hunt_Handicap_Chase) at the end of his first season. In the 1955/56 [National Hunt](/source/National_Hunt) season he was the leading staying chaser in Britain winning both the [King George VI Chase](/source/King_George_VI_Chase) and the [Cheltenham Gold Cup](/source/Cheltenham_Gold_Cup). He continued to race until 1958 but his later career was disrupted by injury and he never recovered his best form.

## Background

Limber Hill was a chestnut gelding with a narrow white [stripe](/source/Stripe_(horse_marking))[2] bred by his owner James Davey who named the horse after his farm at [Great Limber](/source/Great_Limber) in Lincolnshire. He was the only horse of any consequence sired by the French-bred stallion Bassam. His dam Mindoon showed no racing ability and had had little prior success as a broodmare. In the year before Limber Hill was conceived she had been sent to a non-Thorouhbred stallion in an attempt to breed a [field hunter](/source/Field_hunter).[3] She was a distant female-line descendant of the influential British broodmare Pamela.[4]

Davey sent the horse into training with [Bill Dutton](/source/Bill_Dutton_(trainer)) at [Malton, North Yorkshire](/source/Malton%2C_North_Yorkshire). Dutton first came to fame as an amateur jockey by riding [Tipperary Tim](/source/Tipperary_Tim) to victory in the [1928 Grand National](/source/1928_Grand_National) and later became a very successful trainer of both [flat horses](/source/Flat_racing) and jumpers. Apart from Limber Hill his most famous horses were the sprinters [Pappa Fourway](/source/Pappa_Fourway) and [Right Boy](/source/Right_Boy).[5]

## Racing career

Limber Hill began his racing career on the amateur [point-to-point](/source/Point-to-point_(steeplechase)) circuit before moving up to compete against professional opposition. He showed promise as a [hurdler](/source/Hurdling_(horse_race)) in the 1953/54 [National Hunt](/source/National_Hunt) season[6] before being campaigned in steeplechases in the following season. In his first season over fences he made steady improvement to win at least three [novice](/source/Novice_(racehorse)) chases.[7] He was then matched against more experienced opponents and recorded his first important success when he won the [National Hunt Handicap Chase](/source/National_Hunt_Handicap_Chase) at the [Cheltenham Festival](/source/Cheltenham_Festival).[3]

In the following season Limber Hill made further progress and defeated [Gay Donald](/source/Gay_Donald) at [Manchester Racecourse](/source/Manchester_Racecourse) in November[8] before establishing himself as one of the best staying chasers in Britain in the [King George VI Chase](/source/King_George_VI_Chase) at [Kempton Park](/source/Kempton_Park_Racecourse). Starting at odds of 3/1 he won by a neck from Galloway Braes in what was described as "one of the most exciting steeplechases of recent years".[9] In the month preceding the 1956 Cheltenham Festival many meetings were abandoned because of frozen ground and Dutton kept Limber Hill fit by galloping him on the beach at [Filey](/source/Filey).[10] In the [Cheltenham Gold Cup](/source/Cheltenham_Gold_Cup) on 8 March he was ridden as at [Kempton](/source/Kempton_Park_Racecourse) by Jimmy Power[11] and started the 11/8 favourite against ten opponents. The best of his rivals appeared to be the 1954 winner [Four Ten](/source/Four_Ten) and [Halloween](/source/Halloween_(horse)) who had finished second, third and second again in the last three runnings of the race.[3] Limber Hill was not among the early leaders as Four Ten set a slow pace before the [novice](/source/Novice_(racehorse)) Cruachan took over on the second circuit. Power made a forward move approaching the third last and Limber Hill jumped past Cruachan at the next fence to take the lead before going clear. He stayed on up the run-in to win by four lengths from the French-bred outsider Vigor with Halloween finishing strongly to deprive Cruachan of third place.[12] The victory made him the first horse trained in the North of England to win the Gold Cup.[13]

In late 1956 Limber Hill was beaten on [heavy ground](/source/Going_(horse_racing)) in the Emblem Chase at [Aintree Racecourse](/source/Aintree_Racecourse)[14] and then injured his back when preparing for an attempt to win the King George for a second time.[3] He never recovered his best form: in fact he never won another race. In early 1958 he returned to fitness but [broke a blood vessel](/source/EIPH) and was pulled up in the [Great Yorkshire Chase](/source/Great_Yorkshire_Chase).[15] He made a final attempt to win the Gold Cup in March that year and finished fifth to the mare [Kerstin](/source/Kerstin_(horse)).[3]

## Assessment and honours

In their book, *A Century of Champions*, based on the [Timeform](/source/Timeform) rating system, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Limber Hill a "superior" Gold Cup winner and the best British-trained winner of the race since [Golden Miller](/source/Golden_Miller).[16] He is remembered in the name of Limber Hill, a residential street in Cheltenham.[17]

## Pedigree

Pedigree of Limber Hill (GB), chestnut gelding, 1947[1] Sire Bassam (FR) 1933 Guido Reni (FR) 1916 Blarney Irish Lad Armenia La Gangue Strozzi Golden Rod Barbichon (FR) 1923 Saint Moritz Faucheur Simornis Dame en Gris Oversight Messaouda Dam Mindoon (GB) 1933 Gainsborough (GB) 1915 Bayardo Bay Ronald Galicia Rosedrop St Frusquin Rosaline Colleen (GB) 1927 Golden Sun Sundridge Golden Lassie Shanogue William the Third Isleta (Family: 13-a)[4]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-pedigree_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-pedigree_1-1) ["Limber Hill pedigree"](http://www.pedigreequery.com/limber+hill). Pedigree Online. 2016-03-19. Retrieved 2016-03-19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["1950s – Cheltenham"](http://www.thefestival2016.co.uk/hall-of-fame/1950s/#gKjzhJWp33ZAwmqJ.97). *Cheltenham Festival official site*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Harman_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Harman_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Harman_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Harman_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Harman_3-4) Harman, Bob (2000). *The Ultimate Dream: The History of the Cheltenham Gold Cup*. Mainstream Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-84018-381-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-84018-381-0).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tbl_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tbl_4-1) ["Rutilia – Family 13-a"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130314144925/http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family13a.htm). Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Archived from [the original](http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family13a.htm) on 2013-03-14. Retrieved 2013-09-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Mortimer_5-0)** Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). *Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing*. Macdonald and Jane's. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-354-08536-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-354-08536-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** White and Gold (16 February 1954). ["Sir Ken can beat rivals"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19540216&id=cUxAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GIsMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4860,4363946&hl=en). *Glasgow Herald*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** White and Gold (18 December 1954). ["Limber Hill's Good record"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19541218&id=QzpAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XFkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4872,5197704&hl=en). *Glasgow Herald*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** White and Gold (26 November 1955). ["Gay Donald to beat weight"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19551126&id=jWhAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kpQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4232,3196567&hl=en). *Glasgow Herald*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** White and Gold (24 December 1956). ["Preference for Lochroe in King George"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19561224&id=WWJAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e5wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5546,5839548&hl=en). *Glasgow Herald*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Vincent Orchard (28 February 1956). ["Prospects for meeting at Cheltenham"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19560228&id=nntAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kZQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1300,7157830&hl=en). *Glasgow Herald*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Graham Green (18 April 2009). ["Former leading jump jockey Jimmy Power dies"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160509190200/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/former-leading-jump-jockey-jimmy-power-dies/179541/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews). *[Racing Post](/source/Racing_Post)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/former-leading-jump-jockey-jimmy-power-dies/179541/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews) on 9 May 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Limber Hill's Gold Cup win"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19560309&id=zGlAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=X5UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4011,1025867&hl=en). *[Glasgow Herald](/source/Glasgow_Herald)*. 9 March 1956.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Alec Russell (30 January 2013). ["Ryedale trainer's hope for Cape Tribulation"](http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10194898.display/). *[York Press](/source/York_Press)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** White and Gold (29 November 1956). ["Preference for Sundew in attractive steeplechase"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19561129&id=RGJAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e5wMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6258,3249880&hl=en). *Glasgow Herald*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** White and Gold (18 February 1958). ["Mariner's Hand Chosen"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19580218&id=6ndAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=o6MMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5255,5526755&hl=en). *Glasgow Herald*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-century_16-0)** Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1999). *A Century of Champions*. Portway Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781901570151](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781901570151).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Cheltenham Areas: History of Swindon Village and Wyman's Brook"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160330165106/http://www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/swindonvillage_history.asp?area=Swindon+Village%2C+Wyman%27s+Brook). cheltenham4u.co.uk. Archived from [the original](http://www.cheltenham4u.co.uk/swindonvillage_history.asp?area=Swindon+Village%2C+Wyman%27s+Brook) on 2016-03-30. Retrieved 2016-04-22.

v t e Cheltenham Gold Cup winners 1924 Red Splash 1925 Ballinode 1926 Koko 1927 Thrown In 1928 Patron Saint 1929 Easter Hero 1930 Easter Hero 1931 no race 1932 Golden Miller 1933 Golden Miller 1934 Golden Miller 1935 Golden Miller 1936 Golden Miller 1937 no race 1938 Morse Code 1939 Brendan's Cottage 1940 Roman Hackle 1941 Poet Prince 1942 Medoc II 1943 no race 1944 no race 1945 Red Rower 1946 Prince Regent 1947 Fortina 1948 Cottage Rake 1949 Cottage Rake 1950 Cottage Rake 1951 Silver Fame 1952 Mont Tremblant 1953 Knock Hard 1954 Four Ten 1955 Gay Donald 1956 Limber Hill 1957 Linwell 1958 Kerstin 1959 Roddy Owen 1960 Pas Seul 1961 Saffron Tartan 1962 Mandarin 1963 Mill House 1964 Arkle 1965 Arkle 1966 Arkle 1967 Woodland Venture 1968 Fort Leney 1969 What a Myth 1970 L'Escargot 1971 L'Escargot 1972 Glencaraig Lady 1973 The Dikler 1974 Captain Christy 1975 Ten Up 1976 Royal Frolic 1977 Davy Lad 1978 Midnight Court 1979 Alverton 1980 Master Smudge 1981 Little Owl 1982 Silver Buck 1983 Bregawn 1984 Burrough Hill Lad 1985 Forgive 'n Forget 1986 Dawn Run 1987 The Thinker 1988 Charter Party 1989 Desert Orchid 1990 Norton's Coin 1991 Garrison Savannah 1992 Cool Ground 1993 Jodami 1994 The Fellow 1995 Master Oats 1996 Imperial Call 1997 Mr Mulligan 1998 Cool Dawn 1999 See More Business 2000 Looks Like Trouble 2001 no race 2002 Best Mate 2003 Best Mate 2004 Best Mate 2005 Kicking King 2006 War Of Attrition 2007 Kauto Star 2008 Denman 2009 Kauto Star 2010 Imperial Commander 2011 Long Run 2012 Synchronised 2013 Bobs Worth 2014 Lord Windermere 2015 Coneygree 2016 Don Cossack 2017 Sizing John 2018 Native River 2019 Al Boum Photo 2020 Al Boum Photo 2021 Minella Indo 2022 A Plus Tard 2023 Galopin Des Champs 2024 Galopin Des Champs 2025 Inothewayurthinkin 2026 Gaelic Warrior

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Limber Hill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limber_Hill) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limber_Hill?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.