Corbiere (1975–1988) was a British-bred chestnut gelding best known for winning the 1983 Grand National at Aintree. Trained by Jenny Pitman, his victory was historic, making her the first woman to train a Grand National winner. Ridden by Ben de Haan, Corbiere raced prominently, took the lead on the second circuit, and held off Greasepaint by three-quarters of a length in a dramatic finish. He later finished third in 1984 and 1985, reinforcing his reputation as a tough, consistent stayer.
He was owned by Bryan Burrough, the great grandson of the First Lord Trent, Jesse Boot, founder of Boots the chemist. Boot had married Jersey native Florence Booth, and together they gifted significant park and recreational land to the people of Jersey. Ms. Pitman, Burrough, and de Haan all helped with the research for the stamps.
Mr. Burrough said: “The horse had a big white blaze, so it also seemed appropriate to name it after a lighthouse. We took Corbiere over to Jersey to see the lighthouse and parade at the racecourse, however as you can imagine on a windy day with a restless horse the photo is not perfect.” Ms. Pitman said Corbiere was “not the fastest by any means but with an undeniable strength of character, he was as brave as a lion and his enthusiasm for life warmed your heart on the bleakest winter day. His exuberance out at exercise, bucking and kicking at the end of a morning’s work as he made his way back home from the gallops, required the patience of a saint and his devoted rider, Gary Curran, pandered to his every whim. No horse I’ve trained loved life more than Corky.”
Grand National winner Corbiere on Jersey stamps, BBC News, 11 April 2013
Designed by Nick Watton, from photographs provided by Bryan Burrough, and printerd by Joh. Enschedé. Issued 11 April 2013.
Jersey