Anybody who has been tracking horse racing history in Ireland knows about the 1975 Irish Sweeps derby drama. If you are not familiar with it, well, the Irish Sweeps Derby is one of the most prestigious and historic horse races in Ireland. Its popularity attracts some of the best three-year-old thoroughbreds from all over the world. The Curragh is the place where the race is run, which is in essence a flat and right-handed course, over a distance of one mile and four furlongs. Every year the race is held between late June or early July, and it is part of the Irish Triple Crown, along with the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Irish St. Leger.

Now, let’s get into the members' berries about the exciting 1975 Irish Sweeps Derby. We will find out why this race was most memorable in the horse racing community, and relive the thrilling duel between two of the finest horses of their generation: Grundy and Bustino. After the race was over, the newspapers at the time called it the "Race of the Century".

The Horses

Grundy

Grundy was a bay colt, bred in Ireland by Charles St. George, and trained in England by Peter Walwyn. He was sired by Great Nephew, a grandson of the legendary Nearco, and out of Word From Lundy, a daughter of Worden. He was owned by Carlo Vittadini, an Italian industrialist and racing enthusiast. Grundy was a brilliant and versatile horse, who had won the English Triple Crown in 1974, consisting of the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby, and the St. Leger. He had also won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Eclipse Stakes, and the Coronation Cup. He was ridden by Pat Eddery, a young and talented jockey, who had won the British flat racing Champion Jockey title in 1974.

Bustino

Bustino was a chestnut colt, bred in England by Lord Howard de Walden, and trained in England by Dick Hern. He was sired by Busted, a son of the influential sire Crepello, and out of Ship Yard, a daughter of Doutelle. He was owned by Lady Beaverbrook, the widow of the Canadian-born newspaper magnate and politician Lord Beaverbrook. Bustino was a powerful and courageous horse, who had won the St. Leger in 1974, beating Grundy by three lengths. He had also won the Geoffrey Freer Stakes, the Princess of Wales's Stakes, and the Jockey Club Stakes. He was ridden by Joe Mercer, a veteran and respected jockey, who had won the British flat racing Champion Jockey title in 1979.

1975 Irish Sweeps Derby

The 1975 Irish Sweeps Derby was held on Saturday, June 28, at the Curragh. It was a fine and sunny weather, and the going was good. The 75’ Irish Sweeps Derby was watched by a huge crowd of over 30,000 spectators, and broadcast live on both television and radio. The race was worth £100,000, and it attracted a field of nine runners, including Grundy and Bustino who were the joint-favorites at 6/4. The other notable contenders were Ashmore, the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, and King Pellinore, the Chester Vase winner.

The race started at 3:45 p.m. When the race started, it was Ashmore that set the pace in the first half of the race. Grundy was in second place, followed by Bustino as third. As the field approached the final turn, Ashmore was tiring and started to fade, while Grundy taking the lead and Bustino following close behind. The intense competition was such that, if the race was held today, even the best Ethereum gambling establishments would have struggled to predict the outcome. The two horses then engaged in a fierce and relentless battle, matching strides and exchanging the lead several times. The adrenaline electrified the crowd both on the stadium and on TV. Old videos from the spectacle showed that the crowd cheered and roared as the two horses raced towards the finish line. In the final furlong, Grundy managed to edge ahead of Bustino, and held on to win by half a length, in a new course record of 2 minutes and 28.6 seconds. King Pellinore finished third, six lengths behind the two leaders.

Wrapping old Memories…

The 1975 Irish Sweeps Derby was a race that captured the imagination and admiration of the racing world, and the general public. It was a race that showcased the skill and courage of the two horses, and the jockeys, who gave their all in a fair and sporting contest. It is a testament, how much beauty and excitement there is in this sport, and how much passion and emotion it can draw from its fans. It was a race that will never be forgotten, and will always be remembered as the Race of the Century.