Morse Code

MORSE CODE

Earlier this year a lady called Diana Wells contacted me to say that she had something that might be of interest. In her family’s possession was a silver statue of the 1938 Gold Cup winner, Morse Code. T he past few months have all been about gathering items of interest relating to our Festival’s feature race, as we look to celebrate the centenary of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup in March next year. Let No Memoies Fde this Chistmas

A statue of Morse Code, the horse that lent its name to our Members’ newsletter was absolutely of interest and it was agreed that at the November meeting, Diana, family and friends would come to Cheltenham to present us with the statue, which would become a feature attraction of the GC100 Hall of Fame museum. The story goes that Diana’s grandmother’s husband, Sir Dealtry Part who owned Morse Code left it in his will when he passed away in 1961. Sir Dealtry enjoyed an illustrious military career and ended World War 1 as a Lieutenant-Colonel. In 1926 he became High Sheriff of Bedfordshire and in 1957 he was awarded a knighthood. Racing fans will know that Golden Miller won five consecutive Gold Cups from 1933 to 1936. He was robbed of a chance to win six when the track was deemed not fit for racing in 1937 due to waterlogging. However, he returned to his favourite hunting ground in 1938, where his colours were lowered by none other than Morse Code. The Miller, by then an 11-year-old still came home second, a position Morse Code would have to be content with the following year, when he was beaten by Brendan’s Cottage…. Morse Code was trained by Ivor Anthony, one of three brothers whose names will forever be remembered as an integral part of Gold Cup history. Welsh brothers, Ivor, Owen and Jack are etched alongside no fewer than seven Gold Cup winners, from Thrown In in 1927 to Poet Prince in 1941. Meanwhile Morse Code’s rider Danny Morgan was from racing stock, his father was one of eight brothers who were jockeys and his uncle Frank, trained Ballinode,

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winner of the second running of Gold Cup in 1925. Ballinode will be remembered as the first mare and the first Irish trained winner of the race. And this is what this year has been about for me. The more you read about the Gold Cup, the more you learn, the more you understand why the race is held in such high regard. Meeting people like Diana Wells, and working alongside author Chris Pitt on the development of the official history book; Let No Memories Fade has been an honour but I guess like all authors, no sooner has the book been published new storylines and new photographs emerge that are worthy of inclusion. Frustratingly, the statue doesn’t feature in the book; so thankfully we can relay any new stories worth telling in our member’s publication, Morse Code. I can recommend no finer Christmas gift than the Gold Cup book. There are few more pleasant thoughts than a glass of port, a crackling fire, a decent armchair and a good few hours of fascinating reading…… Andre Klein Assistant General Manager, Cheltenham Racecourse

They will be joined by racing greats and special guests, previewing the afternoon’s racing and providing exclusive information, insight and hopefully some winners!

THE RACING WELFARE AINTREE LUNCH

For more information and details of how to book head to the Racing Welfare website.

Taking place on Thursday 11th April 2024, the opening day of the Randox Grand National Festival, the Racing Welfare lunch offers a fantastic day’s racing with hospitality to match. For £200pp* you will be treated to early course access, a champagne reception and canapes, two course lunch with wine, light afternoon tea, car passes and your base for the entire day.

*This is an early bird rate until 31st January 2024, after which the price will increase to £2,500 per table of 10.

(The reduced rate applies to ROA and JC members regardless of time of booking.)

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