MILL REEF: THE LITTLE THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE WITH A BIG ENGINE

Champion thoroughbred Mill Reef is widely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Nijinsky, Sea Bird, Shergar, Dancing Brave, Secretariat and Phar Lap.

What Mill Reef lacked in size, he made up for in heart and courage.

His racing record reads:
Career starts - 14:12-2-0
Trainer - Ian Balding
Jockey - Geoff Lewis

1972 Coronation Cup - Epsom Downs Racecourse
1972 Prix Ganay - Paris Longchamp Racecourse
1971 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - Paris Longchamp Racecourse
1971 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes - Ascot Racecourse
1971 Eclipse Stakes - Sandown Park Racecourse
1971 Epsom Derby - Epsom Downs Racecourse
1971 Greenham Stakes - Newbury Racecourse
1970 Dewhurst Stakes - Newmarket Racecourse
1970 Gimcrack Stakes - York Racecourse
1970 Coventry Stakes - Ascot Racecourse
1970 Imperial Stakes - Kempton Park Racecourse

Mill Reef's only two defeats on the racetrack came in the Prix Robert Papin and 2000 Guineas, where he was beaten by Brigadier Gerard.

Mill Reef won six consecutive Group Ones in 1971-1972, a record which stood for 30 years, until it was broken by Rock Of Gibraltar.

A life-size bronze statue at The National Stud in Newmarket honours Mill Reef's exploits on the track.

In your view, who is the greatest thoroughbred racehorse of all time and why?

Let us know in the comments...

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