“HE gave us five of the happiest years of our lives,” says John Hales of his family's beloved One Man, one of the greatest and most popular chasers of all time.
The charismatic grey wrote an enchanting chapter in racing's rich history. He amassed an outstanding haul of 20 wins and carved out an illustrious career as a staying chaser, taking in two staminabusting King George VI chases, a Hennessy and two Charlie Halls, only to reveal in the twilight of his career that the high-octane thrill of the Queen Mother Champion Chase was actually his true forte.
He was the apple of his trainer, the late Gordon Richards’ eye and while greys always endear themselves to the public, One Man was magical. He took first-time racehorse owners the Hales family on an unforgettable journey and he will long be remembered as the bird-like horse whose gritty duels were the sign of a true fighter. He was fearlessly campaigned each season, gallantly flying the flag for the north and giving a succession of jockeys the ride of their lives.
“He loved a battle,” his deeply admired trainer, known as The Boss, once said.
One Man's story began on 24 May 1988 in the pastures of Co Tipperary, the result of shrewd matchmaking
