Brave Inca
Encyclopedia
Brave Inca is a retired Irish Thoroughbred
racehorse who won ten Grade I races including the 2006 Champion Hurdle
.
at Tattersalls
and as a yearling for IR£
6,000, eventually becoming the property of the Novices Syndicate. He was trained throughout his career by Colm Murphy in the village of Killenagh, near Gorey
, County Wexford
.
and Wexford in March of the 2001/2002 season. The following season began similarly with down-the-field efforts in minor hurdle events at Fairyhouse and Naas
. In these two races he was ridden by Barry Cash, who became his regular jockey for the next three seasons. In March 2003 he was switched to National Hunt flat race
s, and began to show improvement, winning "bumpers"
at Fairyhouse and Navan by wide margins.
Because his early failures, he entered the 2003/2004 season as a novice
hurdler and went unbeaten in five starts. After picking up two handicaps before Christmas, he won his first major prize by defeating Newmill in the Grade I Deloitte Novice Hurdle
. At Cheltenham he was sent of 7-2 favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle
and justified his position with a hard-fought neck victory over the future Cheltenham Gold Cup
winner War of Attrition
. The win provoked "near-hysterical" celebrations among the large Irish contingent, with Colm Murphy being carried shoulder-high into the winner's enclosure. In his final start of the season in the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown
Brave Inca defeated the English-trained Top Novices' Hurdle
winner Royal Shakespeare by a short head.
, a horse he was to meet many times over the subsequent seasons. Later in the same month he ran second to the mare Solerina in the two-and-a-half-mile Hatton's Grace Hurdle
. Two more second places followed in the December Festival Hurdle
and the Irish Champion Hurdle
with Macs Joy
victorious on both occasions.
Brave Inca was obviously useful and consistent but appeared to be just below championship class and was sent off as a 10-1 chance for his first attempt at the Champion Hurdle
in March 2005. In an eventful race Brave Inca finished third, beaten two necks by Hardy Eustace
who won his second championship, and Harchibald
who had seemed certain to win after the final hurdle. As a result of this effort, he was sent off 2-1 favourite for the Aintree Hurdle
but fell for the first and only time in his career. A season of near-misses ended as he rallied after being headed close home to defeat Harchibald
and Macs Joy
in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle
, in which he was ridden for the first time by Tony McCoy
Although he was already seven years old at the start of the 2005/6 season, Brave Inca appeared to be reaching his peak, an impression that was confirmed when McCoy rode him to victory in the Morgiana Hurdle, beating Harchibald
and Macs Joy
again. After another failed attempt at the Hatton's Grace Hurdle
, he confirmed his superiority over the best two-mile hurdlers in Ireland with an "easy" and "convincing" victory in the December Festival Hurdle
after which he was quoted as 5-1 joint favourite for the Championship. An equally impressive triumph in the Irish Champion Hurdle
meant that he was very much seen as the potential champion by the time of the 2006 Cheltenham Festival Sent off 7-4 favourite in a field of 18 he duly landed the odds in the Champion Hurdle
, winning by a length from Macs Joy, with Hardy Eustace three lengths back in third. "He's all there," said Murphy after the race, "he's a complete horse now." On his final start of the season he finished second to Macs Joy in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle
but had already proven himself to be a dominant champion.
and Hardy Eustace
but finished second, three lengths behind the surprise 16-1 winner Sublimity
.
Brave Inca missed the whole of the 2007/8 season with a tendon injury, but returned in 2008/9. Although now well past his best, he managed one last major victory by winning the Irish Champion Hurdle at the age of 11, after which Colm Murphy described him as "unbelievable, one in a million. He's as tough as nails".
. He has also been used to raise funds for the "Playing for Life" charity by taking part in a "Man vs Horse" race at Leopardstown
in December 2010.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse who won ten Grade I races including the 2006 Champion Hurdle
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle...
.
Background
Brave Inca was bred in Ireland by D W McAuley. His sire was Good Thyne, an American-bred stallion who produced the winners of over 600 jumps races in Britain and Ireland. He was the first foal of his dam, the unraced mare Wigwam Mam. He was sold as foal for 1,600gnsGuinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
at Tattersalls
Tattersalls
Tattersalls is the main auctioneer of race horses in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1766 by Richard Tattersall , who had been stud groom to the second Duke of Kingston. The first premises occupied were near Hyde Park Corner, in what was then the outskirts of London...
and as a yearling for IR£
Irish pound
The Irish pound was the currency of Ireland until 2002. Its ISO 4217 code was IEP, and the usual notation was the prefix £...
6,000, eventually becoming the property of the Novices Syndicate. He was trained throughout his career by Colm Murphy in the village of Killenagh, near Gorey
Gorey
Gorey , is a market town in north County Wexford, Ireland, situated beside the main M11 Dublin to Wexford road. The town is also connected to the railway network along the same route. Local newspapers include the Gorey Guardian and Gorey Echo....
, County Wexford
County Wexford
County Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
.
Early career (2001-2004)
Brave Inca began his career by running unplaced in minor hurdle races at NavanNavan Racecourse
Navan Racecourse is a horse racing venue at Proudstown near Navan, County Meath, Ireland, approximately 48 kilometres from Dublin. The course stages Flat racing but is best known for National Hunt racing....
and Wexford in March of the 2001/2002 season. The following season began similarly with down-the-field efforts in minor hurdle events at Fairyhouse and Naas
Naas Racecourse
Naas Racecourse is a horse racing venue in Naas, County Kildare, Ireland, approximately 18 miles from Dublin. The course stages both Flat racing and National Hunt racing and in 2010 fifteen race meetings were held there....
. In these two races he was ridden by Barry Cash, who became his regular jockey for the next three seasons. In March 2003 he was switched to National Hunt flat race
National Hunt flat race
National Hunt Flat races, informally known as Bumper races, are flat races run under National Hunt racing rules in Britain and Ireland....
s, and began to show improvement, winning "bumpers"
National Hunt flat race
National Hunt Flat races, informally known as Bumper races, are flat races run under National Hunt racing rules in Britain and Ireland....
at Fairyhouse and Navan by wide margins.
Because his early failures, he entered the 2003/2004 season as a novice
Novice (racehorse)
A novice in National Hunt horse racing is a horse which has not won in a particular type of race prior to the start of the current season. A novice hurdler has not won a hurdle race before the start of the current season, while a novice chaser has not won a steeplechase before the start of the...
hurdler and went unbeaten in five starts. After picking up two handicaps before Christmas, he won his first major prize by defeating Newmill in the Grade I Deloitte Novice Hurdle
Deloitte Novice Hurdle
The Deloitte Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
. At Cheltenham he was sent of 7-2 favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Supreme Novices' Hurdle
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 110 yards , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
and justified his position with a hard-fought neck victory over the future Cheltenham Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
winner War of Attrition
War Of Attrition (horse)
War Of Attrition is a National Hunt racehorse and winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2006....
. The win provoked "near-hysterical" celebrations among the large Irish contingent, with Colm Murphy being carried shoulder-high into the winner's enclosure. In his final start of the season in the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown
Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown Racecourse is located in the parish of Eadestown, between the R410 and R411 regional roads near Naas, County Kildare, in Ireland. It is home of the National Hunt Festival of Ireland....
Brave Inca defeated the English-trained Top Novices' Hurdle
Top Novices' Hurdle
The Top Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles and 110 yards , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
winner Royal Shakespeare by a short head.
Rise to the Championship (2004-2006)
In the 2004/5 season, Brave Inca proved himself to be a top class hurdler in open competition, despite winning only once from seven starts. On his debut at Dromore in November he narrowly failed to give 10lbs to Macs JoyMacs Joy
Macs Joy was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won several important hurdle races including three at Grade I level between 2004 and 2006. He was also known for his long series of races against the Champion Hurdler Brave Inca...
, a horse he was to meet many times over the subsequent seasons. Later in the same month he ran second to the mare Solerina in the two-and-a-half-mile Hatton's Grace Hurdle
Hatton's Grace Hurdle
The Hatton's Grace Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are eleven hurdles to be jumped...
. Two more second places followed in the December Festival Hurdle
December Festival Hurdle
The December Festival Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
and the Irish Champion Hurdle
Irish Champion Hurdle
The Irish Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
with Macs Joy
Macs Joy
Macs Joy was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won several important hurdle races including three at Grade I level between 2004 and 2006. He was also known for his long series of races against the Champion Hurdler Brave Inca...
victorious on both occasions.
Brave Inca was obviously useful and consistent but appeared to be just below championship class and was sent off as a 10-1 chance for his first attempt at the Champion Hurdle
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle...
in March 2005. In an eventful race Brave Inca finished third, beaten two necks by Hardy Eustace
Hardy Eustace
Hardy Eustace is a retired thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the Champion Hurdle in 2004 and 2005. He was trained in Ireland by Dessie Hughes and owned by Laurence Byrne.-Early Career:...
who won his second championship, and Harchibald
Harchibald
Harchibald is a French Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Perugino and dam, Dame D’Harvard. He is owned by DP Sharkey, trained by Noel Meade and predominately ridden by Paul Carberry....
who had seemed certain to win after the final hurdle. As a result of this effort, he was sent off 2-1 favourite for the Aintree Hurdle
Aintree Hurdle
The Aintree Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are eleven hurdles to be jumped...
but fell for the first and only time in his career. A season of near-misses ended as he rallied after being headed close home to defeat Harchibald
Harchibald
Harchibald is a French Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Perugino and dam, Dame D’Harvard. He is owned by DP Sharkey, trained by Noel Meade and predominately ridden by Paul Carberry....
and Macs Joy
Macs Joy
Macs Joy was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won several important hurdle races including three at Grade I level between 2004 and 2006. He was also known for his long series of races against the Champion Hurdler Brave Inca...
in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle
Punchestown Champion Hurdle
The Punchestown Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
, in which he was ridden for the first time by Tony McCoy
Tony McCoy
Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....
Although he was already seven years old at the start of the 2005/6 season, Brave Inca appeared to be reaching his peak, an impression that was confirmed when McCoy rode him to victory in the Morgiana Hurdle, beating Harchibald
Harchibald
Harchibald is a French Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Perugino and dam, Dame D’Harvard. He is owned by DP Sharkey, trained by Noel Meade and predominately ridden by Paul Carberry....
and Macs Joy
Macs Joy
Macs Joy was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won several important hurdle races including three at Grade I level between 2004 and 2006. He was also known for his long series of races against the Champion Hurdler Brave Inca...
again. After another failed attempt at the Hatton's Grace Hurdle
Hatton's Grace Hurdle
The Hatton's Grace Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are eleven hurdles to be jumped...
, he confirmed his superiority over the best two-mile hurdlers in Ireland with an "easy" and "convincing" victory in the December Festival Hurdle
December Festival Hurdle
The December Festival Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
after which he was quoted as 5-1 joint favourite for the Championship. An equally impressive triumph in the Irish Champion Hurdle
Irish Champion Hurdle
The Irish Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
meant that he was very much seen as the potential champion by the time of the 2006 Cheltenham Festival Sent off 7-4 favourite in a field of 18 he duly landed the odds in the Champion Hurdle
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle...
, winning by a length from Macs Joy, with Hardy Eustace three lengths back in third. "He's all there," said Murphy after the race, "he's a complete horse now." On his final start of the season he finished second to Macs Joy in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle
Punchestown Champion Hurdle
The Punchestown Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
but had already proven himself to be a dominant champion.
Later career
Although he never quite recaptured the form of his championship year, Brave Inca remained a force in subsequent seasons. In 2006/7 he won the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at his third attempt and a second December Festival Hurdle, as well as finishing runner-up in the Irish Champion Hurdle. In the Champion Hurdle he defeated most of the leading contenders including Detroit CityDetroit City
"Detroit City" is a song made famous by country music singer Bobby Bare. Originally released in 1963, the song — sometimes known as "I Wanna Go Home" — was Bare's first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart that summer, and became a country music standard.-About the song:Prior to...
and Hardy Eustace
Hardy Eustace
Hardy Eustace is a retired thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the Champion Hurdle in 2004 and 2005. He was trained in Ireland by Dessie Hughes and owned by Laurence Byrne.-Early Career:...
but finished second, three lengths behind the surprise 16-1 winner Sublimity
Sublimity (horse)
Sublimity is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse whose Flat racing and hurdling career was highlighted in 2007 when he won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival...
.
Brave Inca missed the whole of the 2007/8 season with a tendon injury, but returned in 2008/9. Although now well past his best, he managed one last major victory by winning the Irish Champion Hurdle at the age of 11, after which Colm Murphy described him as "unbelievable, one in a million. He's as tough as nails".
Retirement
Brave Inca was retired from racing after running down the field in the 2009 Champion Hurdle. He has not, however, retired from competition, becoming a successful show-horseHorse show
A Horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer for major, all-breed events or national and...
. He has also been used to raise funds for the "Playing for Life" charity by taking part in a "Man vs Horse" race at Leopardstown
Leopardstown Racecourse
Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse...
in December 2010.