Horse racing has been one of the most watched sports throughout generations, but some would argue that the action on track was at its peak in the 1980s.
Superstars competed regularly to define their legacies within the sport, leading to more competitive races, and potential of shock results. If you are not familiar with the sport, you can check horse racing odds explained by TwinSpires here.
But, throughout history, there have been iconic tracks that have hosted the backdrop for some of the most famous images within racing. But, which racecourses are among the most iconic from the 1980s?
Aintree
There are few more prestigious races on the horse racing calendar than the Grand National, meaning that Aintree ranks among the most iconic racecourses of the 1980s. Aintree has been open since 1829, and it continues to host events on the National Hunt calendar throughout the year.
But, the 1980s saw some of the most memorable moments in the race’s history. That includes the first Grand National of the century, which was won by Ben Nevis. Charlie Fenwick was aboard the 40/1 shot, becoming the first American amateur rider to win the world’s most famous race.
Other legendary editions during the period includes Aldanti’s emotional victory alongside jockey Bob Champion, who was set for retirement prior to landing the race after being diagnosed with cancer. Other iconic winners of the National during the century included Hallo Dandy, Last Suspect, and Little Polveir.
Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs remains among the leading tracks in this modern day, and it has held racing action since 1875. It is home to some of the most famous races on the international schedule, including the opening leg of the Triple Crown- the Kentucky Derby.
As is typically the case, the Derby produced some of the lasting racing memories in the U.S. throughout the 1980s, with each winning going on to make history throughout their careers. Ferdinand was the first notable winners in the 80s, winning the Derby before later adding the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 1987.
Triple Crown history was nearly made on two occasions in the 80s, with both Alysheba and Sunday Silence both winning two legs of the series, which included victories in the Derby. However, the most notable renewal came in 1988, as Winning Colors landed the spoils.
The D. Wayne Lukas-trained runner remains one of just three fillies to have won the Triple Crown race.
Hollywood Park
One of the great horse racing tracks that no longer exists is Hollywood Park, which was home to some of the most defining and important moments throughout the 1980s.
It continues to be a location of huge sporting relevance to this day, with the site being the same as SoFi Stadium, which is where the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers play their NFL matches. Hollywood Park opened to the public in 1938, and quickly became a centre of activity for A-listers from Hollywood.
It is perhaps most famous for hosting the first edition of the Breeders’ Cup in 1984. Hollywood Park would later hold the Championships once again in 1987 and 1997. The first edition of the Breeders’ Cup led to one of the most dramatic finishes of the Classic, with Gate Dancer, Wild Again, and Slew o’Gold competing in a three-way finish for the line, with the former eventually landing the spoils.
The 1987 Classic also threw up a showdown for the ages, with Derby winners Ferdinand and Alysheba colliding. Ferdinand would win the clash of titans by a nose.
Moonee Valley
The Race of the Century was the name given to the 1986 edition of the W.S. Cox Plate, which was run at Moonee Valley in Melbourne, Australia. The race is regularly held at the track, and it is the most significant races on the schedule Down Under. Since its inception, legends of the sport have won the race, including Phar Lap and Kingston Town.
The 1986 race is regarded as the best of the 80s, as it pitted the New Zealand champion Bonecrusher, who had previously won each of the New Zealand Derby, Underwood Stakes, and the Caulfield Stakes, against Our Waverley Star. Our Waverly Star was considered the outsider, despite getting the better of Bonecrusher in a handicap at Ellerslie.
A good pace race was set out by the field, before Bonecrusher raced to the lead and was followed by Our Waverley Star, leading to the remainder of the field being taken out of contention. The race would change constantly between the two, with Our Waverley Star looking to have taken the important advantage, before Bonecrusher fought back down the straight to win by a neck at the post.
The race remains an important renewal of the contest, and it is one that is shown year-after-year when the promotional packages for the race day are being put together. However, to this point, no edition of the W.S. Cox Plate has been able to rival the 1986 edition in terms of excitement.
