Sean Magee, racing journalist entrusted with organising his archive by the late Sir Peter 0’Sullevan (The Voice of Racing and Chairman of The Osborne Studio Gallery). Books by Magee include Channel 4 Book of Racing, Ascot, the History, and Arkle.
On Denman, he writes:
“Denman is one of those rare racehorses who became considered a true force of nature – a steeplechaser whose barnstorming style was one of the great spectacles of the sport, a sight to warm the cockles on the coldest winter afternoon.
“There was no better illustration of his relentless style of racing than the 2007 Hennessy Gold Cup, when he pummelled his rivals into the Newbury turf with a domineering performance. Those of us privileged to have been there knew we were witnessing something very special – one of the great steeplechasing moments of the post-war era.
“No wonder he soon attracted the nickname ‘The Tank’.
“For a display of sheer power his victory in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup came very close to that Hennessy, and watching him hammer down the hill with his opponents all struggling is another indelible memory.
“Denman underlined his class when landing a second Hennessy in 2009, by which time his place in the pantheon of great chasers was secure.”
