Dragons in Greek mythology guarded the Golden Fleece at Colchis. It was said to never sleep, rest, or lower its vigilance. According to Ovid's "Metamorphoses", the monster had a crest and three tongues. When Jason went to retrieve the Fleece, the witch Medea put the dragon to sleep with her magic and drugs, or perhaps Orpheus lulled it to sleep with his lyre. Afterwards, Medea herself had dragons pull her chariot. The Ismenian Serpent, of the spring of Ismene at Thebes, Greece, was slain by the hero Cadmus. It was the offspring of Ares, who later turned the hero into a serpent. According to
Golden Fleece (horse) best horse I have ever sat on". Golden Fleece had training problems after his win at Epsom and was retired to stud without racing again. In 1981, Golden Fleece was given a rating of 99 by the independent Timeform organisation. In the following year, Golden Fleece was given an end of season rating of 133 by Timeform, placing him fourth behind Ardross, Assert and Green Forest. The official International Classification however, rated him the best European racehorse of the year, a pound ahead of Assert and Kalaglow. Pat Eddery, who later rode such champions as Dancing Brave, El Gran Senor,