Brigadier Gerard (5 March 1968 – 29 October 1989) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from June 1970 until October 1972, he won seventeen of his eighteen races. The colt is rated the best racehorse trained in Britain in the 20th century.

Brigadier Gerard was unbeaten as a two-year-old in 1970, when his most important win came in the Middle Park Stakes. At three he was again unbeaten, defeating Mill Reef in a famous race for the 2000 Guineas and going on to win the St. James's Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes, Goodwood Mile and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over a mile, before moving up in distance to win the Champion Stakes over ten furlongs. As a four-year-old he won the Lockinge Stakes, Prince of Wales's Stakes and Eclipse Stakes before moving up in distance to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over one and a half miles. Brigadier Gerard sustained his only defeat when beaten by Roberto in the inaugural running of the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup.

Background

Bred by John Hislop in England and foaled on 5 March 1968, Brigadier Gerard was a son of the stallion Queen's Hussar, winner of the Sussex Stakes and the Lockinge Stakes, and the non-winning racemare, La Paiva, a daughter of Prince Chevalier. On his female side he traced back to the brilliant fillies' Triple Crown winner, Pretty Polly, who was his fifth dam.^[2] This beautifully balanced bay colt was named after Arthur Conan Doyle's swashbuckling hero. Brigadier Gerard had good conformation, an excellent temperament and stood 16 hands 2 inches high.^[3]

Brigadier Gerard was trained during his racing career by Major Dick Hern and ridden in all his races by Joe Mercer.

Racing career

1970: two-year-old season

Berkshire Stakes, Newbury

Brigadier Gerard began his career as a two-year-old on June 24, 1970, in the Berkshire Stakes at Newbury. The race was run on good ground over five furlongs and attracted a field of five runners including three previous winners. Brigadier Gerard was ridden by Joe Mercer and was relatively unfancied at odds of 100/7. In the race Mercer sat behind the more experienced runners until approaching the two furlong marker where, when he gave the Brigadier the office he strode eight to ten lengths clear before being allowed to ease down before the line for an easy five length success. John Lawrence in the Daily Telegraph wrote: "This was the big bay colts first race, but showing no sign of inexperience he proceeded to treat his opponents, including three previous winners, with total disrespect. ^[4]

Champagne Stakes, Salisbury

So easy was this first success Brigadier Gerard's owners decided to run him eight days later on 2 July in the Champagne Stakes, run over six furlongs at Salisbury. Carrying a penalty for his previous win Brigadier Gerard was favourite at 13 to 8 on. Another easy success, by 4 lengths, ensued.^[5]

Washington Singer Stakes, Newbury

Having had two races in quick succession Brigadier Gerard was given a six-week break before reappearing in the Washington Singer Stakes at Newbury on 15 August. Starting favourite at odds of 4/9 and carrying a penalty Brigadier Gerard led comfortably at the furlong marker winning by two lengths from Comedy Star.^[6]

Middle Park Stakes, Newmarket

Following three easy successes the Brigadier was now ready for his biggest test, the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, run over six furlongs and for a value of £10,515 18s. The opposition included Mummy's Pet, unbeaten in his three starts including the Hyperion Stakes and Norfolk Stakes, and Swing Easy, winner of three of his four starts including the New Stakes at Royal Ascot, July Stakes at Newmarket and the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, his only defeat being at the hands of My Swallow in the Prix de la Salamandre at Longchamp. Mummy's Pet started favourite at 6 to 5 on, Swing Easy was 9 to 4 with Brigadier Gerard at 11 to 2. After a slow early pace Joe Mercer allowed Brigadier Gerard to stride into the lead where he drew steadily clear winning easing down by three lengths from Mummy's Pet with Swing Easy a further half a length away in third place.

Len Thomas, The Sporting Life wrote: "Yesterday, in the Middle Park Stakes, the early pace was very slow for the first couple of furlongs but when Brigadier Gerard reached the incline he settled the issue in a few strides to win impressively. It was interesting to note Brigadier Gerard finished the same distance ahead of Swing Easy as did My Swallow in the Prix de la Salamandre at Longchamp recently".

Owner John Hislop wrote: "It was a truly thrilling moment. To have won the Middle Park Stakes was a triumph in itself, but for the Brigadier to have slaughtered the opposition in this way was unbelievable. His right to contest the Two Thousand Guineas has been won with honours."

As three-year olds Mummy's Pet and Swing Easy remained at sprinting where they proved themselves to be top class winning, among other successes, the Sceptre Stakes, Temple Stakes, Daniel Prenn, King's Stand Stakes and the Nunthorpe Stakes.^[7][8]

1971: three-year-old season

2000 Guineas Stakes, Newmarket

The field of six runners for the season's first colts' classic, the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, was one of the smallest in recent memory. However, the three colts that had headed the Free handicap, My Swallow, Mill Reef, and Brigadier Gerard, had between them won 18 of their 19 races, including every major two-year-old race in Europe. My Swallow, unbeaten in eight races as a two-year old including the four best races in France, and Mill Reef, winner of five of his six races as a two-year old including the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, Gimcrack Stakes at York and Dewhurst Stakes at [Newmarket, had won their prep races, the Usher Stakes at Kempton Park and the Greenham Stakes at Newbury. Brigadier Gerard, as planned, arrived at the Rowley Mile without a preparatory race. The race was generally billed as a match between the 6/4 favourite Mill Reef and the 2/1 second favourite My Swallow. Brigadier Gerard was relatively overlooked at 11/2, Minsky, a full brother to Nijinsky and Irish champion 2-y-o in 1970 at 15/2, Good Bond at 16/1 and Indian Ruler the complete outsider at 100/1.

In the race My Swallow made the early running from Mill Reef until they came together, three furlongs from home. At this point neither , on Mill Reef, nor Frankie Durr, on My Swallow, had yet to ask their charges any serious questions. When Joe Mercer asked Brigadier Gerard to close the gap on the two leaders the response was immediate. With under three furlongs left to run, Brigadier Gerard drew alongside Mill Reef before striding away to win by a comfortable three lengths. My Swallow was 3/4 length back in third, Minsky finished fourth.^[9][10]

Mill Reef was not beaten again winning The Derby, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Prix Ganay and Coronation Cup. He was retired to stud after suffering a serious leg injury on the gallops.

My Swallow ran twice more. He dropped back in distance to contest the Prix de la Porte Maillot at Longchamp finishing 2nd to top French miler Faraway Son. Then, just 11 days later, contested the July Cup at Newmarket where he was beaten narrowly by Realm. He was then retired to stud having won 9 of his 12 races in just under 14 months. Minsky, winner of four of his 7 races, went to North America where he won several races.

St James's Palace Stakes, Ascot

The weather had been so bad it was questionable whether or not racing would go ahead on the first day of Royal Ascot. As the St James's Palace Stakes was the last race on the card it would be run in the worst of the going. Only four runners were declared including the main danger Sparkler. Trained by Sam Armstrong and ridden by Lester Piggott. Sparkler was a very good two-year old rated only 8lbs behind the very best of his age including My Swallow, Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard. As a three-year old he had won the Thirsk Classic Trial easily before being beaten, some thought unluckily and following a stewards enquiry, in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Sparkler had subsequently won the Diomed Stakes at Epsom. Good Bond, a long way behind Brigadier Gerard in the 2000 Guineas and Ballyhot, a maiden winner completed the four runner field. Brigadier Gerard started at odds of 4/11.

In the prevailing conditions the visibility was poor. Sparkler made the running until the two furlong marker where Joe Mercer brought Brigadier Gerard to challenge. Some viewers suggested the Brigadier hit a patch of false ground and lost 6 lengths. Mercer had picked him up and renewed his challenge eventually catching Sparkler only 25 yards from the line to win going away. “After the race, John Hislop confirmed that his plans for Brigadier Gerard depended, in part at least, on Mr David Robinson, owner of My Swallow. John Hislop had offered him the chance of revenge for his colts defeat in the 2000 Guineas if he ran his colt in the July Cup. When the offer was not accepted the decision was made to run Brigadier Gerard next in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood” (John Lawrence, Daily Telegraph).^[11][12]

Sussex Stakes, Goodwood

Heavy rain on the Tuesday and plenty more in the hour before racing had made the going at Goodwood not as deep as Royal Ascot, but still considered to be much to the disadvantage of Brigadier Gerard. The four-year-olds were well represented. Leading the opposition was French challenger and soft-ground specialist Faraway Son who, as a three-year old, had finished first but subsequently disqualified in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) in favour of French horse Caro whose only defeat this season had been by Mill Reef in the Eclipse Stakes. Faraway Son had also just beaten the 2000 Guineas third, My Swallow by six lengths at xLongchamp. Joshua had won three times from his four starts with only a very narrow defeat in the Lockinge Stakes by top miler Welsh Pageant being his only blot on his season. The three-year old division was also well represented by King's Company and Ashleigh. King's Company, the second highest rated two-year old in Ireland had won the Irish 2000 Guineas in somewhat controversial circumstances, in course record time and by the narrowest of margins from Sparkler. He had, more recently, won the Cork and Orrery Stakes at Royal Ascot. Ashleigh, highly regarded by his trainer, Paddy Prendergast, had easily won the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on his only run this season.

As a result of prevailing conditions Joe Mercer allowed Brigadier Gerard to stroll along at the head of affairs until approaching the furlong maker, where Faraway Son and Joshua threw down their challenges. Brigadier Gerard pulled away to win easily by 5 lengths from Faraway Son, with the finishing time two seconds outside the course record.^[13][14]

Faraway Son was not beaten again. He next won the Prix du Rond Point (beating Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) winner Bold Fascinator), the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, and the Prix de la Foret.

Goodwood Mile, Goodwood

A small field contested the Goodwood Mile run in damp, wintry conditions. Only two horses opposed Brigadier Gerard, Gold Rod and Ashleigh, resulting in the favourite's cramped odds of 1/6. In 1970 Gold Rod was extensively campaigned running 12 times and winning three including the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. It took the very best milers in this country to prevent him from also winning the St James's Palace Stakes, [Sussex Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Ashleigh, having his third run of the season had won the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot easily before losing to Brigadier Gerard in the Sussex Stakes. In the race Brigadier Gerard made the running then quickened at the two-furlong mark to win very easily by 10 lengths. Gold Rod beat Ashleigh by four lengths for the runner-up spot.^[15][16]

.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Ascot

Another small field contested this race run before a bumper cowd at Ascot. In opposition was leading French challenger Dictus, fourth in last season's Champion Stakes just behind Nijinsky, and now fresh from victory in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, where he defeated Sparkler by half a length. And to complete the three runners was Ashleigh whose two previous defeats were at the hands of Brigadier Gerard. Starting at odds of 2/11 Brigadier Gerard never saw another rival and was completely unchallenged throughout. He won very easily beating Dictus by eight lengths in near course record time.^[17]

Champion Stakes, Newmarket

Following Brigadier Gerard's narrow success in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot it was with some trepidation that he lined up for his first attempt at ten furlongs in conditions rapidly approach those he encountered that day at Ascot. Brigadier Gerard's owner had stated that they would never run him in such conditions as he had encountered at Ascot but with huge crowds turning up to watch him run they did not want to disappoint them. A field of ten contested the £35,000 prize. From Great Britain the leading older horses included Welsh Pageant who was having his fourth run of the season, winning the Lockinge Stakes and Hungerford Stakes and he had finished third in the Eclipse Stakes behind Mill Reef and Caro. Gold Rod was fresh from his win in the Prix La Coupe where he had exacted revenge on Amadou who had finished 5 lengths in front of him in the Prix Ganay. Great Wall (fourth to Nijinsky in the Epsom Derby), Leander (winner of the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly as a three year old) and Tamil winner of a minor event at Deauville.

From France came Tratteggio, trained by Alec Head, having just won the Prix Henri Delamere by 6 lengths, Amadou who had run Caro, the best older horse in France, very close before being beaten narrowly by Gold Rod and Roi Soliel, a mud lover, who had won the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot before being narrowly defeated by Dictus and Gold Rod in the[Prix Jacques le Marois.

From Ireland came Rarity, trained by Paddy Prendergast and ridden by Pat Eddery. This lightly raced four-year old had shown a distinct preference for soft ground. In his last race, the Desmond Stakes at the Curragh, he had easily beaten Lombardo by 4 lengths in similar conditions. Lombardo boasted Epsom Derby form having been beaten into 4th place at Epsom, 6 lengths behind Mill Reef, and was then beaten 3 lengths into 2nd place in the Irish Derby at the Curragh by the Epsom Derby third, Irish Ball.

The rain had continued throughout the day and the race itself was run in very poor visibility and in very soft underfoot conditions. In the race Welsh Pageant, Leander, Gold Rod and Roi Soleil were all in the leading group with Brigadier Gerard being ridden patiently behind them. As they entered the dip three furlongs from home Brigadier Gerard moved into the lead and pulled three lengths clear. On reaching the rising ground Rarity made progress on the outside where Brigadier Gerard held on to win by a short head with Welsh Pageant two and a half lengths away in third. After the race Brigadier Gerard's owners declared they would not run Brigadier Gerard again in similar, testing, underfoot conditions.^[18][19]

The 1971 season ended with Brigadier Gerard maintaining his unbeaten record with 10 wins. He became the first English classic winner since Ormonde, who was foaled in 1883, to be unbeaten in 10 or more races. Mill Reef also remained unbeaten since their meeting in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. The scene was now set for a showdown between these two great champions in the 1972 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park run over ten furlongs. It was advertised widely as the Race of the Century.

1972: four-year-old season

Brigadier Gerard’s four-year old season began somewhat inauspiciously. With the main target being a renewed match with Mill Reef in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park on 8th July, a meeting widely publicised as ‘The race of the Century’, it was important that Brigadier Gerard gained experience of Sandown Park racecourse beforehand. For this reason the Brigadier’s provisional programme, planned by his owners John and Jean Hislop, was to start with the Coronation Stakes,run at Sandown Park, in April. He would then run in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury followed by the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot before his date with destiny in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park. Then, following a short break, he would run in the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup, (now the International Stakes) at York, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot before ending his amazing career with a repeat win in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket. In his book, The Brigadier, John Hislop wrote that everything was going according to plan and on schedule until the Brigadier was mistakenly withdrawn from the Coronation Stakes at Sandown Park, just before the four-day stage, because of the likely soft ground. As it happened the ground dried appreciable and the going was perfect on the day the race was run, however, the repercussions of this decision significantly undermined Brigadier Gerard’s pre-planned schedule. Starting his season a month later than originally planned resulted in him running in four top class races in just seven weeks and then, when the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes was added to the list, it became five top class races in a period of just nine weeks.

Lockinge Stakes, Newbury

On 20th May, on good ground, Brigadier Gerard made his first appearance of the season where a field of just five runners contested this Group 2 race run on the straight mile at Newbury. With a new introduction to his pre-arranged racing schedule, the Westbury Stakes at Sandown Park, requiring Brigadier Gerard to return to the racecourse in just nine days the instructions given to his jockey which were to win but be given as easy a race as was possible. Brigadier Gerard, who started at odds of 2/7, was accompanied to the start by older horses Gold Rod, level weights, who the Brigadier had beaten in their two previous meetings, and Leander, a useful handicapper who was in receipt of seven pounds for not winning a Group 1 race. Two three years olds, Grey Mirage and Crespinall, made up the five runners and were in receipt of 22lbs and 25lbs respectively. Grey Mirage had just won two classic trials easily, by wide margins, and had finished 8th in the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket. Crespinall had just won a Group 3 race at Epsom and subsequently won the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. The race was uneventful. Crespinall made the running until Brigadier Gerard took over four furlongs from home to win pushed out. Grey Mirage finished two and a half lengths away in second, with Gold Rod a further eight lengths away in third.

Westbury Stakes, Sandown Park

On 29th May, Brigadier Gerard ran in the Group 3 Westbury Stakes at Sandown Park run over 10 furlongs, with a view to gaining experience of the Sandown Park racecourse prior to his long awaited meeting with Mill Reef in the Eclipse Stakes on July 8th. And this was no easy task. Carrying 9st 10lbs he was set to give 10lbs to three of his rivals, Fair World, Pembroke Castle and Juggernaut and 14lbs to the fourth, Ballyhot. Timeform pointed out: “The task he faced was a tough one and by our reckoning he was no certainty”. Brigadier Gerard started at odds of 4/9. Ballyhot made the early running at a steady pace before quickening in the home straight where Brigadier Gerard moved into 2nd place and, running on well under hands and heels riding only, led inside the final furlong for a half-length success. Before the race Brian Taylor, Ballyhot’s jockey, had expressed the view that Brigadier Gerard could not give a stone to a horse as good as Ballyhot. Afterwards he remarked that race may have done Brigadier Gerard a lot of good but it won’t have done Ballyhot any good at all. In his next race Ballyhot finished third, in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp, behind Riverman. After the race owner was to John Hislop declared “Having not been fully tuned up at home it was a relief to hear Joe Mercer express himself well satisfied with the Brigadier’s two preliminary races”.

Prince of Wales Stakes, Royal Ascot

If preparations for Brigadier Gerard’s first two races of the season were ‘tricky’ they were about to take on a completely new dimension. Two days before the Prince of Wales's Stakes, Joe Mercer was involved in a plane crash when travelling to Brussels. Mercer was thrown clear but returned to help rescue his fellow passengers, although the pilot was killed. Mercer had to pass a fitness test on the day of the race, with Jimmy Lindley standing by to replace him.

On 20th June, on good ground, facing six opponents and ridden by Joe Mercer, Brigadier Gerard lined up for the Group 2, Prince of Wales Stakes. Three older horses, Pembroke Castle, Prominent and Lord David, in receipt of 4lbs, 4lbs and 6lbs respectively and three three-year olds Steel Pulse, Pardner and The Broker in receipt of 19lbs, 22lbs and 26lbs respectively, completed the line-up. With Brigadier Gerard’s only two previous runs over 10 furlongs finishing in narrow successes, albeit in unusual circumstances, it was important to see how he performed in better conditions. When interviewed by John Trickett, Daily Express, jockey Geoff Baxter, riding front-runner Prominent confirmed, quite rightly, that he was intending to ensure Brigadier Gerard stayed the distance well. “You can say I will be riding Prominent in the usual way” he said. "I will let him bowl along at his own pace. And if the Brigadier beats us you will know for sure that he genuinely gets the mile and a quarter”. Brigadier Gerard started at odds of 1/2f. True to his word Prominent made the running and led into the home straight with Brigadier Gerard two lengths behind him with Steel Pulse in third place. Unable to push out the Brigadier in his usual way it was here that Joe decided to give his mount one back-hander and the result was immediate. Bursting clear he stormed home in course record time to win by 5 lengths from Steel Pulse with Pembroke Castle finishing third.

Sadly, a week later and just ten days before the Eclipse Stakes, the race billed as the Race of the Century, Ian Balding, trainer of Mill Reef, declared that Mill Reef was suffering from the virus, and was withdrawn. On 30th August Mill Reef, one of the truly great racehorses of any generation, suffered a serious, life threatening injury on the gallops, and never raced again.

Eclipse Stakes, Sandown Park

On 8th July, just 19 days after the Prince of Wales Stakes, Brigadier Gerard lined up for the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park. As the race approached, following the defection of Mill Reef from the line-up and with the going at Sandown Park predicted as being on the fast side of good, odds of 1/10 were available. Then, on the Friday afternoon, it started raining heavily. Following the Champion Stakes at Newmarket Brigadier Gerard’s owners had stated that they would never race their horse again in similar conditions but, with so many tickets sold for this contest they decided to let him take his place. While all the time keeping a close eye on the fact that there was still the real possibility of meeting Mill Reef in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot two weeks later. As a result of the rain continuing to fall heavy the ground became so bad that only 27 runners stood their ground on the day’s card. The Eclipse Stakes had the biggest field of the day with just 6 runners. Owner, John Hislop and trainer, Major Dick Hern walked the course before racing and advised jockey Joe Mercer to keep toward the centre of the course up the home straight. The five runners facing Brigadier Gerard included three older horses, Charladouce, Gold Rod and Lord David all carrying 9st 5lbs with two three-year olds Alonso and Home Guard carrying 8st 7lbs. Brigadier Gerard started at odds of 4/11.

Charladouce made the early running from Gold Rod with Brigadier Gerard in third place. At the two furlong marker Charladouce dropped away and the Brigadier took over with Lord David challenging, Gold Rod running on and Home Guard trying to come through with a late run. Brigadier Gerard slogged on through the rain followed by Gold Rod and Home Guard. Joe took it as easily as possible on the Brigadier considering the prevailing conditions while bearing in mind that the King George was in only two weeks time and, with Mill Reef still among the entries, that was then planned as his next destination. The race took very little out of the Brigadier who, according to his trainer Dick Hern, only lost 8lbs.

After a couple of easy days it was confirmed by his connections that Brigadier Gerard’s next race would indeed be in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot where he would step up to 12 furlongs for the first time in his career.

King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ascot

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes has always been a great race where the younger and older generations meet. The race had recently been won by three-year olds Mill Reef and Nijinsky in receipt of 14lbs from their elders. Brigadier Gerard, in this weight-for-age clash would be conceding 14lbs to the three-year olds.

On Saturday 21st July on good going following overnight rain Brigadier Gerard lined up for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. There were nine runners, four four-year olds and five three-year olds and this was Brigadier Gerard’s fifth race in just nine weeks.

The first three in the betting had run 27 times winning 26 and one second by a neck. The field was one of the best ever to contest this race and included five individual classic winners. Parnell had run 12 times as a three-year old, winning seven including the Irish St Leger by four lengths. He had a good record at Ascot running twice and winning easily on both occasions. First in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot easily beating 19 opponents and next, this season, first time out winning the Rouge Dragon handicap, carrying 9st 13lbs, by 8 lengths in a canter. Also, this season, he had won the Prix Jean Prat at Longchamp before being beaten narrowly by Rock Roi in the Group 1 Prix du Cadran also at Longchamp.

From Italy, ridden by Lester Piggott was Gay Lussac. Unbeaten in 7 races in Italy including winning the Derby Italiano in impressive fashion. Reports were that he was the best horse to come out of Italy since Ribot. From France the three-year old Riverman, unbeaten in four races this season including the French 2000 Guineas. And Steel Pulse who had finished 5th in the Epsom Derby, after recently changing stables and who subsequently won the Irish Derby beating Scottish Rifle and the Irish 2000 Guineas winner Ballymore. Also included were Selhurst, unbeaten in three races this season including the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot, Sukawa, 2nd in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris where he beat Our Mirage by five lengths. Our Mirage had just finished two lengths fourth in Roberto’s Epsom Derby. Fair World and Bog Road were outclassed. Brigadier Gerard started at odds of 8/13.

Drawn wide, in stall1, Brigadier Gerard remained on the outside of the field throughout to ensure a clear run in the home straight. Joe Mercer’s instructions were to challenge on entering the home straight and make his way home. Instructions which were followed to the letter. The race was run at a strong pace set by Selhurst for over five furlongs where Parnell took over. Brigadier Gerard moved up behind Parnell before entering the home straight where he challenged two furlongs out. Leading approaching the final furlong Brigadier Gerard stayed on strongly for a comfortable success missing Mill Reef’s course record by 0.3 second carrying 14lbs more. As a result of jockey Willie Carson switching Parnell in the closing stages a steward’s enquiry was called. The head on patrol film, used for the first time on a British racecourse, showed no interference occurred, there was always room for Parnell to challenge up the rails and the result was allowed to stand.

Benson and Hedges Gold Cup, York

This was the inaugural running of the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup and its place now, among the top-class Group 1 races in England, is secure.

However, had owners John and Jean Hislop known that, 50 years after its inauguration, no colt, four years old and upwards, would win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot then go on to win this race at York in the same year, they may have had serious reservations about running their horse in this race. As a result of the possibility of rain forecast Brigadier Gerard was also entered to run in the Nunthorpe Stakes two days later, over 5 furlongs.

On Tuesday 15th August, on good fast ground just twenty-four days after winning the hugely competitive King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in near course record time and running in his sixth race in just 12 weeks, Brigadier Gerard lined up against four opponents. Mill Reef had been withdrawn a week earlier leaving his pacemaker Bright Beam and Brigadier Gerard’s old adversary Gold Rod to carry the colours of the older horses but they were outclassed. The first and second in the Epsom Derby, Roberto and Rheingold, represented the best of the three-year old division and they were the main opposition to the 1/3 favourite. At home Brigadier Gerard appeared to have recovered well from his exertions at Ascot. He looked magnificent before the race and appeared to be in the best of form. This was the first and only time Brigadier Gerard had raced left-handed. Vincent O'Brien, Roberto’s trainer, had been having difficulty acquiring a jockey to ride him at York. His usual jockey Bill Williamson, who had been ‘jocked-off’ by Lester Piggott in the Epsom Derby had agreed to ride in Belgium that day and Lester Piggott had turned down the ride in favour of Rheingold, who had recently easily won the Group 1 Grand Prix de St Cloud. As a result, Vincent had asked Roberto’s owner John Galbraith for help, where it was agreed his American jockey Braulio Baeza, a Panamanian, would fly over for the ride. With York racecourse similar to the United States racecourses, flat and left-handed, it should hold no fears for this top-class jockey. Roberto had beaten Rheingold by the narrowest of margins at Epsom where the general consensus was that, at anywhere else but Epsom, he would gain his revenge.

From the outset it was clear that Roberto’s jockey wanted to force the pace and when he was joined by Bright Beam the pair quickly opened up a six length gap to Rheingold, followed by Brigadier Gerard then Gold Rod. They remained in this order until the entrance to the home straight where Bright Beam ran wide and dropped away. Baeza now set Roberto alight while Brigadier Gerard had passed Rheingold and entered the long home straight about three lengths behind Roberto. Moving smoothly the Brigadier closed the gap on Roberto but on reaching his hind quarters he could make no further inroads and when they entered the final furlong Joe Mercer accepted his fate and eased his mount to finish three lengths behind Roberto. The race time was exceptional with both first and second easily beating the course record. Gold Rod finished in third with Rheingold 4th. Brigadier Gerard was giving 11lbs to Roberto but it was still a surprise win. Following the race Brigadier Gerard showed signs of carrying a mild virus but with the video tape showing that he had beaten Gold Rod by an exceptional 17 lengths into third place plus the very fast time suggested Brigadier Gerard must have run close to his best. Where Roberto found this performance from was a mystery to most observers although Vincent O'Brien's assistant trainer, Michael Kauntze, rated him on a par with Nijinsky when on form, and Lester Piggott stated that "he was a champion when things were in his favour". Roberto had weak knees and required a left-handed track to perform to his best. Although an exceptional 2 year-old he had never shown the York form before and despite producing a brilliant performance in the 1973 Coronation Cup at Epsom in record time, never quite produced it again. Vincent O'Brien's official biographer noted, “It was an electric performance. It was also in a different league to any race Roberto had run before, or would run after”. Vincent suggested that Roberto’s improvement may have been down to the left-handed nature of York racecourse^[20]. Timeform were equally bemused and as a result stated that they were unable to give Roberto a rating for this race for the same reason adding that, although he beat Brigadier Gerard fair and square in the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup at York they were unable to rate Roberto in the same class as Brigadier Gerard.

What happened at York racecourse on Tuesday 15th August 1972 still remains one of horseracing’s greatest mysteries.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Ascot

On 23rd September, exactly five and a half weeks after his defeat at York Brigadier Gerard arrived at Ascot for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Having lost 22lbs and his fifteen race unbeaten record as a result of his journey to York the Brigadier, according to his owners, looked and moved better than he had all season. Indeed, their confidence is his ability was such that at Ascot they believed he would prove himself to be not merely back to form but better than ever. And no more effective way to do so would be by breaking the course record for Ascot’s Old Mile, which had stood for fifteen years. The Hislop’s had acquired Almagest earlier in the season as a lead horse for the Brigadier in his home work and to travel with him to the racecourse. This time he was entered to ensure the race was run at a suitable pace. Apart from Almagest two other runners were declared. These were old rival Sparkler, in receipt of 7lbs, who had run the Brigadier perilously close at level weights in the St James Palace Stakes over course and distance and the three-year old Redundant fresh from carrying 9st 10lbs to an all the way victory at Sandown Park. A fast run race looked to be guaranteed.

Starting at odds of 4/11 the Brigadier started unusually sluggishly losing about three or four lengths and brought up the rear. Almagest made the early running at a strong pace but was a spent force after four furlongs where Redundant took over ahead of Sparkler, Brigadier Gerard and the weakening Almagest. Turning in Sparkler challenged Redundant on his outside with Brigadier sitting patiently in behind. As Sparkler took the lead approaching the final furlong Brigadier Gerard launched his final attack. In the final furlong he left Sparkler standing and drew well clear for a six-length success. The victory was emphatic with both the Brigadier and Sparkler beating the old course record.

Timeform in 'Racehorses of 1972' summed up the finish eloquently. “Mercer had to pull Brigadier Gerard round the two leaders to deliver a challenge about two furlongs out. Responding magnificently, Brigadier Gerard caught the new leader, Sparkler, in twenty strides and, pushed right out strode away in tremendous style to win by six lengths”. Adding that Sparkler ran through the line without slackening his pace. John Hislop in ‘The Brigadier’ was similarly delighted adding “As usual, the Brigadier took about three strides to reach full momentum. As he attained it, he was coming into the last furlong and from there he left Sparkler standing, opening up an ever-increasing gap till, at the post, he was six lengths clear. It was a staggering performance”.

Champion Stakes, Newmarket

On the 14th October Brigadier Gerard lined up for his 8th top class race in just 21 weeks. His races were run over a range of distances between one mile and twelve furlongs and a range of goings between firm and heavy. And, according to his trainer Dick Hern he never missed a day’s work. Unlike the Champion Stakes the previous year where heavy rain had saturated the ground producing underfoot conditions not entirely of the Brigadier’s liking this time the elements were at their most acceptable. The sun came out and the day was warm and autumnal. Eight horses opposed the Brigadier including two three-year old classic winners Riverman and Steel Pulse who were in receipt of 7lbs. Boreen, Lord David, Jimsun, Sol Argent and L’Apache fell just below Group 1 standard and the Brigadier’s stable companion Almagest made up the field.

The race was reasonably uneventful. Almagest set the pace for four furlongs where Steel Pulse took over followed by Brigadier Gerard. Approaching the final three furlongs Brigadier Gerard pulled his way to the front and quickly established a clear lead. Riverman, who had not run since being defeated by the Brigadier in the King George, 12 weeks previously, came out of the pack to chase the Brigadier and with Joe just keeping his mount up to his work closed to within a length and a half at the line. The result was never in any doubt allowing the Brigadier to end his career with his 17th win in 18 starts. He returned to the winner’s enclosure where he received a reception worthy of his greatness. And before he was led away a call for three cheers sounded across the course.

Brigadier Gerard’s achievements on the racecourse bear the closest scrutiny. Unbeaten in fifteen starts over distances between 5 furlongs and 12 furlongs. Including Group 1 races between 6 furlongs and 12 furlongs. He beat outstanding horses including Mill Reef and Rheingold. He ran and won on ground ranging from firm to heavy, he broke course records and he carried penalties. Based upon 2020 figures Brigadier Gerard won 12 Group 1 races. Added to that John Skeaping the renowned sculptor with expert knowledge of equine anatomy pronounced him as the best-looking and most perfectly formed horse he had ever seen.

Stud record

Just over four weeks after his final, triumphant arrival at West Ilsley Stables Brigadier Gerard was loaded onto the horsebox for the return journey to the headquarters of British racing. This time the destination was Egerton Stud, Newmarket which lies within hailing distance of four of the Brigadier’s most memorable successes, the Middle Park Stakes, the 2000 Guineas and two Champion Stakes, all memorable in their own way. Whatever high hopes the syndicate who bought into Brigadier Gerard held the terms and conditions of using his services appeared to be a huge gamble and were strongly criticised in the racing press.

The terms and conditions were that only breeders that race their own produce could use his services and any stud that sells yearlings is barred. No-one can know how damaging these rules and conditions were to the Brigadier’s stud career with many claiming they were punitive, misguided and Canute-like.

Andrew Caulfield of The Sporting Life concluded “Only four British and Irish stallions could claim as good a figure as Brigadier Gerard. These were Rainbow Quest, Sadler's Wells, Kris and Caerleon. With his fertility failing, Brigadier Gerard was retired in 1987. Altogether he sired 320 foals which is less than Saddlers Wells sired in his first six crops”.

Brigadier Gerard died in 1989 and his remains are interred in the gardens of the Swynford Hotel (formerly Swynford Paddocks), Six Mile Bottom, Newmarket. He appears in the fifth generation of 2015 US Triple Crown winner American Pharoah's pedigree, via his son, General. Perhaps Brigadier Gerard wasn’t such a failure after all.

Assessment and honours

Brigadier Gerard was given an end-of-year Timeform rating of 141 in 1971, making him the equal highest rated horse of the year, alongside Mill Reef. He topped the Timeform ratings in 1972 with 144, the joint second highest figure at that time given for a flat racehorse, equal with Tudor Minstrel and one pound behind Sea Bird. The Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown is named in his honour. In the 1972 British Horse of the Year poll conducted by the Racegoers' Club, Brigadier Gerard polled all forty of the available votes, making him the first horse to be unanimously elected to the honour.^[21]

Pedigree