Bronze statue of Arkle by Emma McDermott unveiled in Meath

No matter which horse wins The Boylesports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse this afternoon, the spirit of Arkle, the greatest steeplechaser of all time, will prevail. It is 50 years ago today since he won the race, a length and quarter ahead of the fancied mare Height O'Fashion. Arkle changed the rules of handicapping; Arkle changed racing. A large crowd gathered in Ashbourne, Co Meath, on Saturday to honour an equine genius on the 57th anniversary of his birth.

The celebratory occasion, given a festive atmosphere by the Garda Band, was being marked by the unveiling of Emma McDermott's magnificent slightly larger than life-sized bronze of Arkle and Pat Taaffe, the man who rode him to triumph and into history. The project has taken three years and in addition to the bronze – which so brilliantly captures the distinctive high head carriage of Arkle, his large ears and the benignly intelligence gaze with which he graced the world – McDermott also cast 27 smaller versions, quarter-sized statues each representing his 27 wins in a 35-race career. One miniature was presented to Queen Elizabeth on behalf of the people of Ireland by President Michael D Higgins during his state visit to Britain.

The maquette of the series has been given to ChildVision and will be auctioned during the Punchestown Festival.

Several of the speakers, including Tom Taaffe, son of Pat, and Jim Dreaper, whose father, trainer Tom, advised Anne, Duchess of Westminster, to buy Arkle, and who then guided him through a spectacular career, referred to Arkle's temperament.

There are many stories, including the day one of Dreaper's children was playing with a tennis ball and it bounced into Arkle's stable. The little girl, Valerie, had no fear of the legend, a happy horse more family pet than superstar, unlike his cantankerous stablemate Flyingbolt, and she went into the stable to search through the straw. She failed to find it. Turning to leave she felt a slight nudge. It was Arkle who dropped the ball at her feet. People loved Arkle. Arkle loved people.

Tears shed

Paddy Woods, who rode Arkle to victory at Gowran Park in October 1962, stood gazing up at the statue and smiled when a man asked him to autograph a copy of Sean Magee's biography of Arkle. Also present in Ashbourne on Saturday was Johnny Lumley, Arkle's stable lad and a master of understatement who said "Little did we know what we were getting into with Arkle."

Even before the historic 1964 recording of his first Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph, commentated by Peter O'Sullevan sounded from the loudspeakers on Saturday, tears were being shed by people, most of whom had not even been alive when Arkle, who died at only 13, was been being hailed as a god. Yet there was also a contingent who did remember him. "I lived through every race with him" announced a life-long Arkle fan. "I never backed him in case I jinxed him." He then asked the sculptor Emma McDermott to sign a book. Had she ever met him? "Oh yes, I met Arkle. My sister and I went to Dublin to see him. He had a great attitude, poise, those ears. Real presence." Books, photographs, even a copy of The Irish Field were being handed to each of the Arkle connections who were so happy to see that "Himself" means so much to so many. McDermott, whose other equine statues include Sadler's Wells, Vintage Crop, Ridgewood Pearl and Nijinsky, agreed this one is special, not only because it depicts Arkle but because the jockey, Pat Taaffe is also being commemorated.

'Unique partnership'

"This is the story of a horse" said Andrew Clowes, one of the trustees of the Anne, Duchess of Westminster Charity, "and of a unique partnership, between horse and jockey."

Seated among the special guests was Alison Baker, who celebrated her 94th birthday yesterday. Her mother, Mary Baker, bred Arkle. By Archive, out of Bright Cherry, herself a winner, he was foaled at Ballymacoll Stud, the day before Alison's 37th birthday, 57 years ago. She handled him from the beginning and eventually prepared him for sale as a three-year-old. Tom Dreaper purchased him on behalf of Anne, Duchess of Westminster, at Goff's Bloodstock Sales on August 4th, 1960, for 1,500 guineas. Why was he so very good? Talent, courage and what appeared to be a huge heart, judging by the size of his chest. Arkle stood 16.2 hands. Anatomical details can only account for so much. It seems the best way to explain Arkle's enduring magic is to say he was Arkle.