Sea Pigeon was one of the best horses I ever rode. He was fantastic, really.

I was fortunate enough to be part of the magic during what some now call the 'Golden Age' of the hurdling division of the late 1970s, where the likes of Night Nurse, Monksfield, Birds Nest, Golden Cygnet and Dramatist were household names.

Then there was Sea Pigeon. He won the Champion Hurdle in 1980 and 1981, though I was unable to ride him in the last one, because of (another!) broken leg. That would have been one of the biggest disappointments of my riding career - but it was great to see him win it again under a magnificent ride from John Francome.

He also won the Scottish Champion Hurdle (1977 and 1978), the Welsh Champion Hurdle (1980), in addition to two Chester Cups in 1977 and 1978 and the Ebor Handicap under a record top weight of 10st in 1979.

In all, he won 21 of 40 starts over jumps, with winning prize money of £130,395. He also won 16 of his 45 races on the Flat.

He had lots of speed, plenty of toe. He could make you look fantastic or he could make you look stupid, because if you went too quick on him he'd turn it in.
He had so much ability. I wish I had a few like him to train. He loved jumping, and the longer you sat on him the easier you won. The less interference from the jockey, the better as far as he was concerned.

I won the Ebor on him in 1979 and that was fantastic because I was a jump jockey winning a Flat race. It was a big thrill for me.

I rode him as I usually do over hurdles, but I dropped my hands on him and everyone thought Donegal Prince had beaten us. It was a bit closer than I thought it was and we had to wait four minutes before they called: "First... number one..."

Sea Pigeon knew more about racing than  anyone and he certainly knew when he had won! He had so much character. Sea Pigeon had finished seventh in the 1973 Derby behind Morston, before being sold to his owner, Mr. Pat Muldoon, at the end of that year. He became a real favourite of mine and I think he was one of the best-loved horses in training. The public took him to their hearts.

He was already nearing the end of his career when in 1980, at his fourth attempt, he won the first of his two Champion Hurdles, gaining revenge on Monksfield, who had beaten him the previous season.

By God, Sea Pigeon was a lovely horse and I will always be indebted to him.

JONJO O'NEILL