Topics: York Racecourse, Looking Back, Barry Hills, Roberto, Brigadier Gerard, Braulio Baeza, John Galbreath, Vincent O'Brien, Benson and Hedges Gold Cup, Lester Piggot, Juddmonte International

Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard won the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup at York on August 15, 1972. It was the first running of the race, now known as the Juddmonte International. Mill Reef won five of his six races as a 2-year-old and won all four of Brigadi's. The last time they went head-to-head, Brigardi Gerard had beaten Mill reef by three lengths in the 1971 2,000 Guineas. The 2014 renewal of this race will take place on Wednesday. They will be the same ground as Voltigeur and The Flying Dutchman in 1851.

Roberto won the race in 2 minutes, 7.1 seconds. The winner was Brigadier Gerard, while Gold Rod was second. The horse's owner Jean Hislop said that Roberto had been stung by a bee. After the horse had returned to the stables, he ejected from one nostril a large clot of mucus. He was later found to be unwell. Roberto was the victim of an unfair advantage. It was similar to Blame after beating Zenyatta or Red Rum. However, the winner of the Grand Nationals was forgiven. and went on to win three Grand National titles.