When it came to the unsentimental business of putting an end-of-season number on his performances, Denman, whose death was announced on Wednesday, never quite reached the heights scaled by his stable-companion Kauto Star in what was – even in the midst of it 10 years ago – seen as a golden era for staying chasers.
A simple rating, though, is never adequate when it comes to assessing a great racing talent, and it fails above all in the case of a steeplechaser such as Denman. A number cannot capture the regard, affection and respect in which a horse is held by the racing and betting public, and by that measure, Denman was the equal, at least, of the chaser in the stall next door at Paul Nicholls’s stable.
The two horses offered a fascinating contrast for the fans, both in terms of their achievements and how they were earned. Denman did things that Kauto Star did not even attempt, the most obvious being his three starts, and two victories, under top weight in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
Denman’s first Hennessy win, in 2007, was his first start outside novice company, achieved with ease off a mark of 161. Two years later he won off 174, and 12 months on he was placed from a mark of 182 giving at least 20lb to every other runner in the field. It felt like a throwback to the black-and-white days when Arkle accomplished similar weight‑carrying feats in the same race.
The 2009 race epitomised the tireless courage that made Denman such a favourite with the fans and a worthy rival to Kauto Star in their hearts. His bold jumping and merciless gallop from fence to fence saw off most of his rivals long before the home straight, and those that remained were then beaten off one by one. What A Friend, with 22lb less to carry, managed to get upsides Denman on the run to the last, but the effort alone was too much and he wilted the instant that it became clear that Denman was not to be stopped.
At the peak of his powers, even Kauto Star could not cope with him. In all, the two horses lined up together for four Gold Cups, and Denman had the better of it in three, including the unforgettable seven‑length defeat of Kauto Star in 2008 which marked the start of their rivalry. Kauto Star set off at 10-11 to win the race for the second year running but Denman never seemed likely to be caught from the moment that Sam Thomas kicked him into the lead with a circuit to run.
It was victory celebrated by romantics and purists alike, as Denman seemed to embody all the qualities of build, strength and inexhaustible stamina that the fans look for in a classical staying chaser. The first meeting of the two stable‑companions was a clash of cultures, with Kauto Star representing the new influx of precocious, French-bred chasers. He was hurdling at three and chasing at four, while Denman, who was bred in Ireland along impeccably traditional lines, did not even see a racecourse until three months before his sixth birthday.
On that day at least, Denman was much the better of the two. Twelve months later, having suffered from a heart problem in the meantime, he was himself soundly beaten by Kauto Star, but Denman was second again, behind Imperial Commander, when Kauto Star fell four out in 2010, and in front of his old rival a year later when they were second and third behind Long Run.
The chalk-and-cheese partnership between Harry ‘The Dog’ Findlay and dairy farmer Paul Barber, who owned Denman, added to his fascination, and while Findlay’s high-profile career as a professional punter crashed and burned soon afterwards, no one can take away Denman’s Gold Cup and two Hennessys among 14 career wins in all.
Findlay is also credited with coming up with Denman’s nickname, and it was a good one. ‘The Tank’ summed up the sense that absolutely nothing would be allowed – or dare – to get in Denman’s way when he was bowling along at the head of affairs.
In boxing terms, Kauto Star was the fighter with quicker hands and better technique, who could end a bout with a single, well-timed blow. Denman, though, was the crowd‑pleasing bruiser who came out swinging and never stopped until the final bell. He punched himself to a standstill, left it all in the ring. And we loved him for it.
Yarmouth 1.50 Arigato 2.20 Blonde Warrior 2.50 Narynkol 3.20 Bartholomew J 3.50 Careyanne 4.20 Mutafarrid 4.50 Marilyn 5.20 Comporta
Haydock 2.00 Eyecatcher 2.30 Laxmi 3.00 Soldier’s Call 3.30 Warrior’s Valley 4.00 Acclaim The Nation (nap) 4.30 Mystic Flight 5.00 Maghfoor
Ripon 2.10 Eyelool 2.40 Juneau 3.10 Mooltazem 3.40 Gurkha Friend 4.10 Mutabaahy 4.40 Savaanah 5.10 Regal Mirage
Sandown 5.55 Mersey 6.25 Highland Sky 7.00 Kassar 7.35 Infrastructure 8.05 Al Muffrih 8.40 Renny’s Lady
Carlisle 6.05 Samantha James 6.40 Early Edition 7.15 Kelly’s Dino 7.45 Johni Boxit 8.20 Fujaira Prince 8.50 Florencio (nb) 9.20 My Girl Maisie
Tips by Greg Wood.
