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British-bred, but Irish-based, trained and ridden, L'Escargot was a long-shot in his first Gold Cup race, considered not to have the stamina; his second Gold Cup was won by 10 lengths in testing conditions. In America he won the Meadow Brook Chase and ultimately was named Champion Steeplechase Horse of the Year in 1969. Back in England, he placed second and third in the Grand National in 1973-74, and finally won it, at age 12, in 1975. Sire Escart III also got 1970 Irish Grand National winner Garoupe, and was damsire of 1989 Grand National winner Little Polveir and was the leading jumper sire in Great Britain twice in the 1970s. |
