seabird

"Surely, if bee and blossom do their part to help you, birds should aid you too," said the Sea-bird. "I will call my friend, the Nautilus, and he will bear you safely to the Coral Palace where the Spirits dwell."

In the spring he and his people retreated from the floes to the rocky mainland, where they put up tents of skins, and snared the sea-birds, or speared the young seal basking on the beaches.

I have only seen Sea-Bird's 1965 Arc de Triomphe victory inafewgrainyclipsbutitiseasy to see why he is considered by many to be the best horse France ever produced.

A sea-bird ringed in Teesside is believed to be one of the most far-flung travellers of its kind after being found more than 6,000 miles away.

Birdwatchers are being invited to take part in a seven-mile walk around one of the best sea-bird colonies in the country.

Box 987, Rockport, ME 04856, or at (866) SEA-BIRD. Tour schedules, prices, and private charter information are available on the company's website at <www.wander birdcruises.com>.

Any income generated from the bets will go to sea-bird conservation projects.

1965 The brilliant Sea-Bird II, ridden by Australian jockey Pat Glennon and trained in France by Etienne Pollet, coasted home from the Irish challenger Meadow Court in the Derby to take the prize overseas for the 10th time in 20 years.

They name Sea-Bird as their Champion horse of the 20th century.

As for all the other greats, Ribot and Sea-Bird II, Vincent said: "It has to be remembered that Ribot, over three seasons, only left his homeland on three occasions, and Sea-Bird only once.