Remembering the unsung heroes who helped shape ‘the race of the century’

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It was the pacemakers that made the race. Unloved as the concept of pacemaking might be, it's what provided the difference between the 1975 running of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and any other great Flat race. 

Yes, it was Grundy versus Bustino, two great horses. But how many times have we had two – or sometimes even more than two – big names taking each other on? Lots and lots. 

They don't always fight out the finish. But when they do, no one these days ever responds: "Race of the century!" 

That title is already claimed. By widespread, practically unanimous approval, Grundy versus Bustino was the race of the century, and almost nobody seems interested in a debate. 

• Fifty years since Grundy v Bustino was hailed 'the race of the century' - but was it really all it's cracked up to be? 

• 'A flawless example of horseracing at its most irresistible' - how Grundy and Bustino delivered the greatest of all King Georges 

Classy as Grundy was, better horses have come along from time to time. There have been better finishes, too, because his King George was over bar the shouting at the furlong pole, for all that Bustino battled bravely. 

The drama was stretched out a bit longer in both the King Georges in which Crystal Ocean narrowly lost out, first to Poet's Word and then Enable. No one seemed to want a thrilling battle when Enable was involved, they just wanted her to win. They definitely didn't want to talk about whether the 3lb fillies' allowance changed the outcome. 

Anyway, this year is the 50th anniversary of Grundy versus Bustino, still the race of the century even though we're quite deep into the next century and could pick another one, if we wanted. So it's time to acknowledge the two great heroes of that race: Highest and Kinglet. 

If just one of them had turned up, it would have been a classy race like many another. But two pacemakers – for the same stablemate! 

Presumably, Dick Hern pinched the idea from Roger Bannister, who, 21 years earlier, had become the first athlete to run a mile in less than four minutes. Bannister famously got a bit of help from his friends, Chris Brasher setting a strong early pace and then Chris Chattaway taking over at halfway, towing Bannister along until the final 300 metres.

Dick Hern: trainer of Bustino

While Brasher and Chattaway knew what they were about, equine pacemakers have not always been so reliable. They can go too quick or too slow, or get in the way. Sometimes they linger in the stalls and immediately blow the whole assignment. 

None of that in the '75 King George, though. Highest, a miler, went off at Guineas speed. Two furlongs had barely elapsed before Sir Peter O'Sullevan was talking about "a really blistering speed" – and, Bustino fans would have been delighted to note, Kinglet was already poised to do his bit in second. 

With six furlongs still to go, Kinglet hit the front as Highest folded up. But this was where the plan started to come apart because Kinglet, being hard ridden, could sustain the necessary pace for only a couple more furlongs before Bustino and Joe Mercer swept impatiently past. 

This is where we must mention a part of the story that sometimes gets missed. Hern had planned for a third pacemaker, the Yorkshire Cup winner Riboson, to take over from Kinglet and lead Bustino at least as far as the two pole. Alas, Riboson had a career-ending leg injury in the build-up.

Grundy (nearside) wins the 1975 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes from Bustino

"If we'd had Riboson, he'd have taken us right to the line," Mercer mused, years later. "He was a stayer all right, but it wasn't to be." 

On the other hand, Mercer also second-guessed his own tactics. "With hindsight, I should have sat way back ... But he was a galloper, he'd won the Leger, he didn't really have a turn of foot." 

It goes to show how much the race mattered, if such a phlegmatic man was turning it over in his mind, long after the event. Perhaps the reality is that Grundy was going to get past Bustino in any race over 1m4f.

But they sure tested him. Everything was done that could reasonably be done to make Grundy prove his quality and the fact that he coped is the reason he is still so well remembered.

Fifty years from now, will they still be talking about that time Rebel's Romance beat Calandagan? I'd love to think so but the odds seem against it. Only one pacemaker, you see. It's a missed opportunity.

Read these next:

4.10 Ascot: from a Melbourne Cup cert to a King George winner? Jan Brueghel aiming to confirm Coronation Cup form in Ascot highlight 

A score to settle as Calandagan and Jan Brueghel give us another King George showdown to savour 

King George to become Britain's richest ever race after further prize-money boost 

The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Racing Post+ subscribers. Chris Cook provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Racing Post+ subscriber? Join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content.