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Celtic Swing: outrageously gifted, mind-blowingly fast, physically flawed

Celtic Swing winning the 1994 Racing Post Trophy
Celtic Swing winning the 1994 Racing Post TrophyCredit: Smith Phil

Those left agog by Pinatubo’s blitz in last month’s National Stakes may find it hard to believe that 25 years ago next Saturday came a juvenile performance visually more arresting.

In 1994 Celtic Swing stormed away with the Racing Post Trophy by 12 lengths. Victory earned him an official rating of 130, 2lb higher than Pinatubo was awarded in Ireland, which is itself 2lb ahead of Frankel’s juvenile rating from nine years ago.

It was a spellbinding performance that still arouses awe in Kevin Darley, who rode the colt.

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