Silver Buck

Silver Buck (1972–1984) was an Irish-bred racehorse who became a champion steeplechaser when trained in England by the Dickinson family. He was the winner of the 1982 Cheltenham Gold Cup, and the 1979 and 1980 runnings of the King George VI Chase. He was voted National Hunt Horse of the Year in 1982. Background Foaled in 1972, Silver Buck was sired by the high class flat middle distance runner Silver Cloud, who in 1962 won the Chester Vase, Princess of Wales's Stakes, and Cumberland Lodge Stakes. Silver Buck's dam Choice Archlesse, won a low grade hurdle race. Early days in Ireland Silver Buck made his first racecourse appearance as a five year old, in a National Hunt flat race at Clonmel Racecourse. He won this event and was then campaigned in point-to-point races, winning two of his four starts. He was sold to Mrs Christine Haggas (nee Feather), the mother of trainer William Haggas. He was then moved to England to be trained by the Dickinson family, initially in Gisburn, Lancashire, then from the 1979/80 season, at Harewood in Yorkshire. Tony Dickinson held the trainer's licence until the 1980/81 season, when his son Michael Dickinson took over. 1977/78 season