The four racing plates worn by Desert Orchid when winning the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup, in original worn condition still embedded with the racecourse

The four racing plates worn by Desert Orchid when winning the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup, in original worn condition still embedded with the racecourse turf, connected by a single blacksmith's nail; sold with a signed letter of authenticity from Mrs J Elsworth on David Elsworth Racing Ltd headed paper, dated 17th March 2010 and reading THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THESE RACING PLATES WERE WORN BY DESERT ORCHID WHEN HE WON THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP IN 1989 Desert Orchid, affectionately known as ''Dessie'', was an eye catching and gallant grey whose front-running and attacking style of jumping helped gain the gelding iconic status by lovers of National Hunt racing. He was rated the fifth best National Hunt horse of all time by Timeform. The David Elsworth-trained Deset Orchid recorded four wins in the King George VI Steeplechase as well as victories in the Irish Grand National, the Whitbread Gold Cup, The Martell Chase, the Tingle Creek Chase, the Victor Chandler Chase, the Racing Post Chase and other top races. Dessie's crowning moment, however, was in the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Having previously been considered a two miler, Desert Orchid lined up in the three and a quarter mile Cheltenham Gold Cup on going made heavy by relentless rain and snow; conditions not suited to the front running grey. Moreover, Desert Orchid never particularly favoured left handed courses. A crowd of over 58,000 witnessed Desert Orchid's effort to overhaul the mud-loving Yahoo in the final stages of the race up Cheltenham's famous hill. After his one and a half length victory, Desert Orchid's rider, Simon Sherwood said: ''I've never known a horse so brave. He hated every step of the way in the ground and dug as deep as he could possibly go''. Three cheers were called as Desert Orchid was unsaddled, surrounded by thousands of fans. The race was voted best horse race ever by readers of the Racing Post.