Grundy versus Bustino: the Race of the Century 40 years on

Grundy, ridden by Pat Eddery, catches Bustino close home in the 1975 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Photograph: PA

This weekend brings the 40th anniversary of Grundy vs Bustino in the 1975 running of Ascot’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a contest that quickly became known as the Race of the Century and is still often referred to by that title. What made the race was the combination of a much-admired Derby winner in Grundy and the determined use of extreme tactics by the connections of his main rival.

Grundy, the eventual winner, going to the start of the 1975 King George. Photograph: Gerry Cranham

Bustino’s strong suit was stamina, he having won the previous year’s St Leger. Using a pacemaker for him would have been orthodox tactics but his trainer, Dick Hern, used two. Highest set what the commentator, Peter O’Sullevan, quickly recognised as “a really blistering gallop” before Kinglet took over at about halfway. With half a mile to go, Bustino sailed into the lead with Grundy in pursuit, the contest ending with a heroic battle up the straight.

Bustino during the parade before the famous Ascot race. Photograph: Gerry Cranham

Had Bustino held on, there might have been some purist resentment of the tactics used in his support. But Grundy had the resilience to fight his way past in an attritional struggle, after which neither horse won again.

Matt Chapman presents an At The Races documentary on the clash commonly known as the Race of the Century.

Peter Walwyn, the winning trainer, and Joe Mercer, Bustino’s jockey, met this week at a ceremony to mark the anniversary, Mercer speaking with pride of “two brave horses”. And he noted that, but for injury to Riboson, Bustino would have had a third pacemaker that “might have made the difference”.

The second part of the At The Races feature on the 1975 King George concludes with the race itself.