A mind of their own: five equine enigmas who didn't always consent to race

Mad Moose

If there is one person that can sympathise with Henry Oliver's sense of frustration, it is Nigel Twiston-Davies. The Naunton trainer was fined in similar circumstances when trying to encourage renowned refusenik Mad Moose to race at Cheltenham in November 2013. Twiston-Davies chased after Mad Moose waving a belt but it didn't do much good for a horse with a proven track record for doing as he pleased.

Mad Moose, who still has a large following on Twitter as he enjoys his retirement, was banned from racing in January 2014 after proving reluctant one too many times, the final straw coming after he started in the Tingle Creek only to pull himself up before the first fence.

The then 11-year-old headed into retirement with the BHA declaring no further entries would be accepted because he had "refused to race, been reluctant to race or tailed itself off, in both Flat and jump races, on six further occasions in the previous 14 months".

Vodkatini

There have been few equine enigmas to match Vodkatini, who was a talented chaser from the late 1980s – when he wanted to race.

Even the sight and sound of trainer Josh Gifford chasing him with a Coke can of pebbles was greeted with limited response from this part-time delinquent.

To put into perspective his natural ability, Vodkatini was made the 2-1 favourite to beat none other than Desert Orchid in the 1988 Tingle Creek. Yet infuriatingly when the tapes went up he point blank refused to move.

Vodkatini is on a going day as he lands the 1988 Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival

Vodkatini, who on occasions would give away many lengths at the start but still manage to win, rubbed it in by scoring next time out.

He was a fine third in that season's King George but much to the despair of his supporters he again refused to race when made favourite for the two-mile handicap chase on Grand National day.

Deano's Beeno

An enigmatic yet hugely talented staying hurdler who will be most fondly remembered for his surprise victory over Baracouda in the 2002 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

A winner of 12 of his 35 starts over jumps for Martin Pipe, Deano's Beeno inflicted a first defeat in 11 starts on the mighty Baracouda to record a deserved first Grade 1 success following a masterful ride by Tony McCoy.

It was not always a harmonious partnership, however, as McCoy was given a five-day whip ban for trying to cajole Deano's Beeno to jump off at Cheltenham in December 2003.

Tony McCoy and old pal Deano's Beeno: 'I often thought that if I was a horse, I would be Deano's Beeno.'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Despite his antics, Deano's Beeno earned a place in McCoy's affections as the 20-time champion jockey wrote in his autobiography: "Deano's Beeno wasn't everybody's cup of tea, but believe it or not, he was a horse that I used to love riding. I admired him. I often thought that if I was a horse, I would be Deano's Beeno."

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Pakistan Star

From spectacular last-to-first victories to stopping mid-race, there have been plenty of highs and lows for the members of the Pakistan Star fan club.

The Tony Cruz-trained phenomenon became an internet sensation on his very first start in 2016 when he seemed unable to go with the pace before rattling home to win readily.

He then hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons after showing his wild side when pulling himself up 100 yards into a Group 3 handicap at Sha Tin in June 2017, for which he was sent off the 1-5 favourite.

Having been banned from racing for his bad behaviour, Pakistan Star bounced back to register consecutive Group 1 victories in the spring last year.

He hasn't won in five races since, most recently finishing fourth in Sha Tin's The Stewards' Cup this month.

Spanish Moon

A top-class performer for Sir Michael Stoute and Khalid Abdullah, Spanish Moon's career would ultimately be defined by an aversion to the starting stalls.

A repeated reluctance to load came to a head in 2008 when the son of El Prado was issued with a six-month ban from racing in Britain.

Sir Michael Stoute overseas a stall test at Meydan for Spanish MoonCredit: Edward Whitaker

As he was allowed to race abroad, he was campaigned overseas and went on to develop into a successful globetrotter.

He suffered narrow defeats in the Sheema Classic and Hong Kong Vase but achieved a Group 1 breakthrough when loading like a lamb under the guidance of 'horse whisperer' Gary Witheford and going on to claim the 2009 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

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