The Arkle saddle, the saddle used by Pat Taaffe for all of Arkle's victories, set with a metal plaque inscribed THIS IS THE SADDLE I USED WHEN I RODE

The Arkle saddle, the saddle used by Pat Taaffe for all of Arkle's victories, set with a metal plaque inscribed THIS IS THE SADDLE I USED WHEN I RODE ''ARKLE'' TO WIN ALL HIS RACES, then engraved with the signature of Pat Taaffe; sold with a typescript letter, undated but circa 1970, signed by Neil Durden-Smith, then Secretary of the Anglo-American Sporting Club, on Club letterhead, reading TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, THIS IS TO AUTHENTICATE THAT ARKLE'S SADDLE, SIGNED BY PAT TAAFFE, AND NOW OWNED BY MR. ARTHUR POWNALL, IS TRULY THE SADDLE USED DURING ALL OF ARKLE'S GREAT VICTORIES, the letter sent in response to a request from Arthur Pownall who had purchased the saddle at an Anglo-American Sporting Club after dinner auction (2) Arkle is universally regarded as being the greatest steeplechaser of all time. His Timeform rating of 212 has never been eclipsed. In recent times Kauto Star has come closest, with a Timeform rating of 191. The gelding was bred by Mary Baker at the Ballymacoll Stud, owned by Anne, Duchess of Westminster, trained by Tom Dreaper at Greenogue, Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin, and ridden by Pat Taaffe. Arkle won a total of 27 victories from 35 races and was the first steeplechaser to capture the imagination of the public including those in general with little or no interest in horse racing. Arkle won three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups between 1964 and 1966, whilst other major victories included the King George VI Chase (1965), the Irish Grand National (1964), two Hennessy Gold Cups (1964 & 1965), three Leopardstown Chases (1964-1966 inc.), a Whitbread Gold Cup (1965), the Gallagher Gold Cup (1965), the Punchestown Gold Cup (1963) and the Powers Gold Cup (1963). There would almost certainly have been more but for a career ending injury sustained in the 1966 King George. In Ireland Arkle gained legendary status and received fan mail within envelopes simply addressed ''Himself, Ireland.'' His commemorations include a statue at Cheltenham Racecourse, who also host the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Festival Meeting, whist the Arkle Novices' Chase is run at Leopardstown annual. The horse was the subject of a song by Dominic Behan and of a Republic of Ireland postage stamp issued in 1981 to mark the 25th anniversary of his retirement. After his death, Arkle's skeleton was put on display at the Museum at the Irish National Stud, Tully, Co. Kildare.