The Dreaper yard at Kilsallaghan, in county Dublin, was once home to the equine specimen that was undoubtedly the greatest ever seen in his sphere. Quite simply known as Himself. Or to non aficionados of the Sport of Kings, they will have heard him referred to as the Mighty Arkle!

We will surely never see his likes again and it is for that reason that measures are afoot to ensure his memory and legacy are preserved forever.

The Arkle Memorial Statue Fund was established some months ago. Those behind the drive recently ratcheted up their efforts to make the dream become a reality with the staging of the ‘Legends’ race at the conclusion of Bellewstown’s final meeting of the season.

This was a Flat Handicap (ironically) over 1m 6f, contested by some of the top NH horses on the go at present who were partnered, as the title of the event might suggest, by some legends of the sport, or in some cases their representatives. On duty on the night were: Conor O’Dwyer, Norman Williamson, Adrian Maguire, Joe Byrne, Jason Titley, Dunshaughlin’s Ger Dowd and Ratoath’s Dermot McLoughlin, Arthur Moore – whose local connections need no elaboration – as well as Charlie Swan and the locally based Robbie Hennessey.

Having first heard about the Fund when contacted by Jim’s daughter, Lynsey, shortly after it was established and a steering committee was put in place, I have taken a great interest in the progress of the project. I was particularly delighted to have quite a punt on the winner of the race, Jessica Harrington’s Bullock Harbour (11/4f), partnered by O’Dwyer, too! After the race, the winner was draped in a specially commissioned paddock sheet presented by Declan and Elaine O’Farrell, whose talented grey, Retrievethelegend, Jim Dreaper has trained for many years.

And things are progressing along extremely well with the statue project. The Bellewstown race night reportedly raising somewhere in the region of €20,000. It is quite possible that considerably more than that, even, to make the ultimate goal come to fruition.

There are likely to be many more events connected to the Statue Fund in the weeks and months ahead. Especially with the National Hunt season about to click into gear properly in the very near future. This is a unique venture. Striving to rightly and deservedly honour an iconic figure in the sport.

Saying that about a horse gives some indication of the esteem he is held in and the impact he has had and continues to have on the sport in which he held court for so long. Maybe the last part of that says the most. Only the mostly especial stars – be they human or equine – are still revered over five decades after they were at their zenith.

Surely, all of those with even a passing interest in the Sport Of Kings would love to see the legacy and memories of Himself preserved for eternity. But it will only happen with your help!

To donate to the Fund or for further information contact Lynsey Dreaper on 087-1504022 or see the Arkle Memorial Statue Fund page on Facebook.



Conor O'Dwyer, Jim Dreaper, Joe Bonner, Paddy Gorman, PJ Durkan, Paddy Woods, Jimmy Finlay.


"The Dreapers Lads" - Gerry Dowd, Ken Morgan, Nicky O Connor, Peter McLoughlin, Joe Finglas, Willie McCabe, Charlie Reilly, & John Sullivan.


Himself