What If - Racehorse Names

[2002EarlMarischal]

There was a thread in the last 12 months debating possible names for the possible new P2 being built by the A1 Trust.

Knowing that many LNER pacifics were named after racehorses who won legendary races, primarily the Derby, the St Ledger, and the 2000 Guineas, I thought I'd take a look at the winners since the last one chosen.

Starting with the Derby:
My Love, Nimbus, Galcador, Arctic Prince, Tulyar, Pinza, Never Say Die, Phil Drake, Lavandin, Crepello, Hard Ridden, Parthia, St Paddy, Psidium, Larkspur, Relko, Santa Claus, Sea Bird, Charlottown, Royal Palace, Sir Ivor, Blakeney, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Roberto, Morston, Snow Knight, Grundy, Empery, The Minstrel, Shirley Heights, Troy, Henbit, Shergar, Golden Fleece, Teenoso, Secreto, Slip Anchor, Sharastani, Reference Point, Kahyasi, Nashwan, Quest for Fame, Generous, Dr Devious, Commander in Chief, Erhaab, Lammtarra, Shaamit, Benny the Dip, High Rise, Oath, Sinndar, Galileo, High Chaparral, Kris Kin, North Light, Motivator, Sir Percy, Authorized, New Approach, See the Stars, Workforce, and Pour Moi. Phew!

Whereas the names actually used by the LNER generally "feel right", and not many winners' names were missed out, it seems to me that those since 1947 are generally not so convincing. Perhaps we are conditioned to the names we know, but of the Derby winners above I feel that good candidates, (missing those out too similar to names already in use), could be:

Nimbus, Galcador, Arctic Prince, Parthia, St Paddy, Charlottown, Royal Palace, Sir Ivor, Blakeney, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Roberto, Snow Knight, North Light, Motivator, Sir Percy.

On the basis that the authors of the RCTS LNER books had some influence in getting the Peppercorn pacifics named, perhaps the members of this forum, containing the huge amount of authoritative LNER knowledge it does, might be justified in thinking that they might have had a similar influence!

Anyone care to join this flight of fancy?!

[strang steel]

I dont think that Sir Ivor would be very practical although I'm sure many people from a certain era would have a wry smile at the idea of a real life Ivor The Engine.

[60800]

I'm pretty sure Pinza's already taken.... by a Deltic. You wouldn't wanna cross her

[60800]

Golden Fleece too.

I shouldn't need to explain that one!

[majormagna]

St Paddy was also a Deltic.

However I'd like to have seen a Deltic by the name of "Dr Devious".

[Mickey]

These names were all previously given to DELTICS
NIMBUS
TULYAR
PINZA
CREPELLO
st PADDY

This name was previously given to a A4
GOLDEN FLEECE

The following-
MY LOVE
SHIRLEY HEIGHTS
QUEST FOR FAME
SANTA CLAUS
BENNY THE DIP
HIGH RISE
HIGH CHAPARRAL

As well as a number of others i think NOT

[giner]

Turning to my old friend Google:

St. Leger winners, look between 1864 (Blair Athol) to 1960 (St. Paddy)
http://www.tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks ... leger.html
How did 1907 winner Wool Winder end up as one word on the locomotive nameplate?

Derby winners, between 1857 (Blink Bonny) to 1960 (St. Paddy)
http://www.racingbetter.co.uk/races/derby/winners.html

2000 Guineas winners, look between 1865 (Gladiateur) to 1949 (Nimbus)
http://www.napit.co.uk/viewus/infobank/ ... uineas.php

Familiar names all over the place, there. Plenty of spare ones for the new P2 as well.

Well, there's a raging blizzard going outside tonight, so you can see I've plenty of time on my hands.

[strang steel]

I dont think Mill Reef would be a very tactful choice, because although it was a brilliant horse and won many races in its short career, it was forced to retire after breaking a leg when only 4 years old.

Such career tragedies may not bode well for a new build locomotive.

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

Where's Red Rum in all this? Or Desert Orchid?

I have little interest in the Turf. My definition of a horse? 4 legs, teeth at one end and I always lose money on 'em! But even I've heard of these two.

[strang steel]

Ay up!

Where's Red Rum in all this? Or Desert Orchid?

I have little interest in the Turf. My definition of a horse? 4 legs, teeth at one end and I always lose money on 'em! But even I've heard of these two.

Those two were National Hunt horses, i.e. they raced over fences in the winter months.

They are a somewhat different beast to the flat course racehorses of the summer.

[Blink Bonny]

OIC!

Shows how much I know about the gee-gees!

[Horsetan]

Ay up!

Where's Red Rum in all this? Or Desert Orchid?

I have little interest in the Turf. My definition of a horse? 4 legs, teeth at one end and I always lose money on 'em! But even I've heard of these two.

Those two were National Hunt horses, i.e. they raced over fences in the winter months.....

It's about time we had National Hunt representation.

"Aldaniti" would be a good one, since he - and likewise the new P2 - would move grown men to tears.

[richard]

So Red Rum would be a better choice for a crimson Duchess, then - more of a hill climber than a on-the-flat racehorse.


I always thought most of the A3s had eccentric names - Benny the Dip would definitely fit in that mould.

[mr B]

could'nt it just follow in the footsteps of No 10000 or 60700 ?

mr b

[mick b]

See the Stars a nice follow on from Evening Star