Istabraq
Encyclopedia
Istabraq is a retired Irish
Thoroughbred
racehorse
who was most famous for his hurdling
. He had an exceptional pedigree, being the produce of Sadler's Wells
, a son of Northern Dancer
, and a Secretariat
mare making him a three-quarter brother to Epsom Derby
winner Secreto
. He won the Champion Hurdle
three times. He was trained by Aidan O'Brien
and owned by John Patrick McManus. Jockey
Charlie Swan rode him on all of his 29 races over jumps.
of Shadwell Racing
and a partner in his family's Godolphin Stables
.
Istabraq was sold to John Durkan who had been an assistant to John Gosden
. He thought that Istabraq could win a Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival
and would not hear of the contrary. Durkan started training the horse but was diagnosed with leukemia
. He suggested that Aidan O'Brien
train the horse while he was ill. The agreement was that when Durkan recovered he would again train the horse. Sadly, he never got the chance to do so and died just before Istabraq won the 1998 Irish Champion Hurdle
. O'Brien continued to train the horse afterwards. However, Durkan remained in the thoughts of the horse's connections. When riding the horse back after his 1998 Champion Hurdle win, jockey Charlie Swan said 'This one's for John' in an interview with Channel 4's
Lesley Graham.
Istabraq was beaten in his hurdling debut, finishing a short head second of ten over two miles. He then won his next three races before taking the 2m5f Royal & Sun Alliance Novice hurdle at Cheltenham with a battling display. He ran one more time that season, beating the Sun Alliance 5th Soldat by 9 lengths at Punchestown.
The next season went like clockwork up to and including Cheltenham, where he confirmed himself the best two mile hurdler around with an astonishing 12L victory. Istabraq was unexpectedly beaten at Aintree in his next race but this was no doubt due to the desperately heavy ground. He did not race again that season.
If the previous season was about fulfilling the promise he had shown by proving himself the best novice, then as the reigning champion hurdler this one was about continuing the domination he had over the 2 mile (3,200 m) hurdling division. The story was exactly the same - he went unbeaten through the season and danced up the Cheltenham hill in March for his second champion hurdle. Could he go on and join the likes of Persian War and See You Then as 3-time winners. There seemed little reason why not although the novice race at Cheltenham that year was won by Hors La Loi III
in a time two seconds faster than the champion hurdle. The season was finished off with wins at the Aintree
and Punchestown festivals respectively.
The 1999/2000 season would confirm what most of the racing public already knew - that Istabraq was one of the greatest hurdlers of modern times and possibly ever. Apart from being turned over by Limestone Lad (on unsuitably soft ground and over a trip more suited to Limestone), his preparation for Cheltenham went perfectly. On the big day, he cruised around the inside before once again bursting up the hill to win by 4 lengths from Hors La Loi III. Istabraq had recorded an incredible fourth straight win at Cheltenham. He was put away for the season and at only 8 years old there seemed little to stop him becoming the only horse ever to win 4 champion hurdles and confirming himself the greatest ever two mile hurdler.
On his reappearance at Leopardstown
the following season, Istabraq looked slightly heavier than usual. Shockingly, he fell for the first time ever when looking tired at the final flight. It was probably a combination of the extra weight and dire ground but nevertheless rumors that the champion may be on his way out were rife. His next run put paid to the speculation as he won comfortably although the winner of the race in which he fell, Moscow Flyer, had this time fallen himself. However it was the fact that this time the mighty triple champion seemed to have regained his invincible aura that eased the worries of his now massive army of fans. His next race was a little like deja vu as he again fell at the final flight, with Moscow Flyer again taking the race. The difference this time was that, unlike on his reappearance, he looked all over the winner before coming to grief. This race proved again that Istabraq was on course for his historic date with destiny at Cheltenham.
Disaster struck before the 2001 festival, as cases of foot and mouth disease started to appear in Britain. The grave decision was taken to abort the festival. This was the beginning of the end for the great horse. When hot favourite for an unparalleled 4th champion hurdle his chance was cruelly taken from him. He did reappear the following season but it seemed that the sands of time had finally caught up with him. He defeated Bust Out by a head in December, but rated 25 lb (11.4 kg) superior would have been expected to have a lot more in hand. This was not how it was meant to be.
On the day, Istabraq took his chance at making history. However his jockey was never happy with him and before the race had even took shape he was pulled up. Charlie Swan said he was never happy with him and he was later found to have pulled muscles in his back. Despite this, and the huge sums of money that were placed on him that day, the Cheltenham crowd still gave him a standing ovation as he bowed out. The great horse had finally reached the end of his epic journey. The race itself was won by Hors La Loi III but the unlucky Valiramix was simply cruising 3f out before fatally falling after clipping hooves.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
Thoroughbred
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
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
who was most famous for his hurdling
Hurdling (horse race)
A Hurdle race in England is a National Hunt horse race where the horses jump over obstacles called hurdles that are over three and a half feet high. They are typically made of brush, that has some flexability. Hurdle races always have a minimum of eight hurdles and a minimum distance of two miles ....
. He had an exceptional pedigree, being the produce of Sadler's Wells
Sadler's Wells (horse)
Sadler's Wells was a Thoroughbred racehorse that was later a leading sire in France, Great Britain & Ireland and North America during the 1990s. He was foaled in 1981 in the United States, but achieved most of his racing and breeding fame in Europe....
, a son of Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer was a Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and the most successful sire of the 20th Century. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association calls him "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history"....
, and a Secretariat
Secretariat (horse)
Secretariat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, that in 1973 became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting new race records in two of the three events in the Series—the Kentucky Derby , and the Belmont Stakes —records that still stand today.Secretariat was sired by Bold...
mare making him a three-quarter brother to Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
winner Secreto
Secreto
Secreto was a Maryland bred Thoroughbred racehorse who raced in the United Kingdom and Ireland.A son of Northern Dancer, Secretro's damsire was the U.S. Triple Crown champion, Secretariat. He was bred by E. P. Taylor at the Maryland branch of his Windfields Farm...
. He won 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...
three times. He was trained by Aidan O'Brien
Aidan O'Brien
Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates....
and owned by John Patrick McManus. Jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
Charlie Swan rode him on all of his 29 races over jumps.
Early life
He was bred for the flat, by Sadler's Wells who won the Irish 2,000 Guineas over 1 mile. Istabraq was tried unsuccessfully over a mile and failed to please his handlers and owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al MaktoumHamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance and Industry of the United Arab Emirates . He is the second son of the late ruler, Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum ....
of Shadwell Racing
Shadwell Racing
Shadwell Racing is the Thoroughbred horse racing operations of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.Introduced to Thoroughbred flat racing while a student in the United Kingdom, Sheikh Hamdan established his first racing stable there in 1981...
and a partner in his family's Godolphin Stables
Godolphin Stables
Godolphin Racing is the Maktoum family's private thoroughbred horseracing stable and was named in honour of the Godolphin Arabian, who came from the desert to become one of the three founding stallions of the modern thoroughbred....
.
Istabraq was sold to John Durkan who had been an assistant to John Gosden
John Gosden
John Gosden is a racehorse trainer. Having trained over 2,000 winners since his return to England in 1989, including winners of the Breeders' Cup Classic, the Derby, the King George, the 1,000 Guineas and the St. Leger, he is generally considered one of the most successful racehorse trainers of...
. He thought that Istabraq could win a Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...
and would not hear of the contrary. Durkan started training the horse but was diagnosed with leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
. He suggested that Aidan O'Brien
Aidan O'Brien
Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates....
train the horse while he was ill. The agreement was that when Durkan recovered he would again train the horse. Sadly, he never got the chance to do so and died just before Istabraq won the 1998 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...
. O'Brien continued to train the horse afterwards. However, Durkan remained in the thoughts of the horse's connections. When riding the horse back after his 1998 Champion Hurdle win, jockey Charlie Swan said 'This one's for John' in an interview with Channel 4's
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
Lesley Graham.
Istabraq was beaten in his hurdling debut, finishing a short head second of ten over two miles. He then won his next three races before taking the 2m5f Royal & Sun Alliance Novice hurdle at Cheltenham with a battling display. He ran one more time that season, beating the Sun Alliance 5th Soldat by 9 lengths at Punchestown.
The next season went like clockwork up to and including Cheltenham, where he confirmed himself the best two mile hurdler around with an astonishing 12L victory. Istabraq was unexpectedly beaten at Aintree in his next race but this was no doubt due to the desperately heavy ground. He did not race again that season.
If the previous season was about fulfilling the promise he had shown by proving himself the best novice, then as the reigning champion hurdler this one was about continuing the domination he had over the 2 mile (3,200 m) hurdling division. The story was exactly the same - he went unbeaten through the season and danced up the Cheltenham hill in March for his second champion hurdle. Could he go on and join the likes of Persian War and See You Then as 3-time winners. There seemed little reason why not although the novice race at Cheltenham that year was won by Hors La Loi III
Hors La Loi III
Hors La Loi III was a French-bred AQPS racehorse who won the 2002 Champion Hurdle. A dark bay gelding with a narrow blaze and white hind feet, he developed a reputation for being rather inconsistent, but was one of the most talented hurdlers of his era with a peak rating of 165.-Background:Hors La...
in a time two seconds faster than the champion hurdle. The season was finished off with wins at the Aintree
Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England.It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in the 1960s....
and Punchestown festivals respectively.
The 1999/2000 season would confirm what most of the racing public already knew - that Istabraq was one of the greatest hurdlers of modern times and possibly ever. Apart from being turned over by Limestone Lad (on unsuitably soft ground and over a trip more suited to Limestone), his preparation for Cheltenham went perfectly. On the big day, he cruised around the inside before once again bursting up the hill to win by 4 lengths from Hors La Loi III. Istabraq had recorded an incredible fourth straight win at Cheltenham. He was put away for the season and at only 8 years old there seemed little to stop him becoming the only horse ever to win 4 champion hurdles and confirming himself the greatest ever two mile hurdler.
On his reappearance 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...
the following season, Istabraq looked slightly heavier than usual. Shockingly, he fell for the first time ever when looking tired at the final flight. It was probably a combination of the extra weight and dire ground but nevertheless rumors that the champion may be on his way out were rife. His next run put paid to the speculation as he won comfortably although the winner of the race in which he fell, Moscow Flyer, had this time fallen himself. However it was the fact that this time the mighty triple champion seemed to have regained his invincible aura that eased the worries of his now massive army of fans. His next race was a little like deja vu as he again fell at the final flight, with Moscow Flyer again taking the race. The difference this time was that, unlike on his reappearance, he looked all over the winner before coming to grief. This race proved again that Istabraq was on course for his historic date with destiny at Cheltenham.
Disaster struck before the 2001 festival, as cases of foot and mouth disease started to appear in Britain. The grave decision was taken to abort the festival. This was the beginning of the end for the great horse. When hot favourite for an unparalleled 4th champion hurdle his chance was cruelly taken from him. He did reappear the following season but it seemed that the sands of time had finally caught up with him. He defeated Bust Out by a head in December, but rated 25 lb (11.4 kg) superior would have been expected to have a lot more in hand. This was not how it was meant to be.
On the day, Istabraq took his chance at making history. However his jockey was never happy with him and before the race had even took shape he was pulled up. Charlie Swan said he was never happy with him and he was later found to have pulled muscles in his back. Despite this, and the huge sums of money that were placed on him that day, the Cheltenham crowd still gave him a standing ovation as he bowed out. The great horse had finally reached the end of his epic journey. The race itself was won by Hors La Loi III but the unlucky Valiramix was simply cruising 3f out before fatally falling after clipping hooves.