By Alan Carasso
A century and a half ago, the legendary Hungarian galloper Kincsem (for whom the racetrack in Budapest is named) posted three of her 54 career wins in an undefeated career in Prague. A legend in his own right, Gordon Lord Byron (Ire) (Byron {GB}) has flown in from Ireland and is far and away the marquee horse in Saturday's Kc2.6 million (£91,336/€101,592/US$119,374) EJC LERAM Million at Velka Chuchle Racetrack.
A veteran of 90 career trips to the post, the 10-year-old will be visiting his 27th different racetrack Saturday. Purchased for €2,000 at Goffs November fully a decade ago, Gordon Lord Byron suffered an injury in his career debut that otherwise might have marked the end of his racing days and cost him a year on the shelf. But he was nursed back to health and has become one of the most popular horses in the world. His travels have taken him as far afield as Hong Kong and Dubai, Qatar and Australia, and it is at Rosehill in Sydney that Gordon has achieved one of his career highs, with a 16-1 upset of the 2014 G1 George Ryder S. (SC #2). He has other top-level successes to his credit in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in 2012 (he was second the next two years) and in Haydock's Betfred Sprint Cup in 2013 (sandwiched between runner-up efforts in 2012 and 2014). In total, Gordon Lord Byron has a black-type win for each ring on his tree, eight of which have come at the group level.
WATCH: Gordon Lord Byron flies home inside to upset the George Ryder
If Gordon has lost any of his zest for racing, he isn't showing it, as Saturday's race will mark his eighth run of the season. Though he has yet to post a victory this term, he has finished second in the G3 Phoenix Sprint S. and in the G3 City of York S. and was just touched off by Battle of Jericho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) when last seen at Navan Sept. 8.
Owned by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla and Morgan Cahalan and trained by Tom Hogan, Gordon Lord Byron has gate 15 in the Million. Tadgh O'Shea, who rode the gelding in a race at Meydan in early 2017, has the ride.
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