Macs Joy
Encyclopedia
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
. He was put down after breaking a leg in a race at Cheltenham
in December 2007.
, County Kildare
. His most regular jockey was Barry Geraghty
who rode him in twenty-two of his thirty-one races.
s in June of 2003. He won on his debut at Tralee beating nineteen opponents and finished third in a similar event at Tipperary
three weeks later.
When the jumping seaon proper began in autumn, Macs Joy was campaigned as a Novice Hurdler, running five times in minor events before Christmas. He showed some promise by winning a small race at Downpatrick
and finishing second to the future Cheltenham Gold Cup
winner War of Attrition
at Navan
.
After Christmas he was moved out of Novice company, racing instead in Handicap races against more experienced opposition. He made rapid improvement, with his official handicap rating risisng from 111 to 142 in the next five months. After a second place in the valuable Pierse Hurdle in January he finished first in a handicap at Leopardstown
only to be disqualified for interfering with the runner-up when drifting left in the closing stages. In April Macs Joy recorded his first notable win, carrying 11-0 to victory in the Menolly Homes Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse, after which he was sent to England for the first time to compete in the Swinton Handicap Hurdle
at Haydock
. Held up in the early stages he made progress to lead approaching the last hurdle and ran on strongly to win by two and a half lengths. According to the Racing Post he "oozed class" and was "one to follow".
After warming up with third place in a flat race Macs Joy won the Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle at Down Royal, beating the Supreme Novices' Hurdle
winner Brave Inca
"comfortably" This was to be the first of twelve meetings between the two horses over the next eighteen months (the final score was 7-5 in Brave Inca's favour). Although he was carrying ten pounds less than the runner-up, his performance attracted the attention of the bookmakers, who offered him at odds of 14-1 for the Champion Hurdle
immediately after the race.
After a third place to Harchibald
in the Morgiana Hurdle in November he was sent to Leopardstown for the Grade I December Festival Hurdle
. He produced his best performance to date, taking the lead before the last hurdle and going clear to beat Brave Inca by three lengths, with the Champion Hurdler Hardy Eustace
two lengths further back in third. Macs Joy confirmed his superiority over Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, and although the margins were much closer on this occasion, with the three horses crossing the line almost as one, he had established himself as a leading contender for the Champion Hurdle
at the Cheltenham Festival
. Geraghty was confident, saying,"That is as good a Champion Hurdle trial you will see in a long time.".
At Cheltenham, Macs Joy went off third favourite at odds of 7-1, but after challenging two hurdles from the finish, he could make no further impression and came home fifth to Hardy Eustace, beaten five lengths. He moved up to two and a half miles at Aintree
where he finished fourth to Al Eile
in the Aintree Hurdle
, and ended his season with a third place to Brave Inca and Harchibald at Punchestown.
. Starting at odds-on, he was never under pressure and was eased down in the closing stages to beat the staying mare Asian Maze by four and a half lengths.
He returned to Cheltenham for the Championship, in which his improving form saw him sent off 13-2 third favourite behind Brave Inca (whose rider Tony McCoy
had referred to Macs Joy as his "main danger") and Hardy Eustace, who was seeking his third consecutive win in the race. The three Irish horses dominated the race, but although Macs Joy was always in touch and challenged strongly in the closing stages, he was unable to catch Brave Inca, who beat him by a length, with Hardy Eustace third.
On his final start of the season, Macs Joy produced his best perfomance. The Punchestown Champion Hurdle attracted only four runners, but they included the first three from Cheltenham. Macs Joy tracked Hardy Eustace in the early stages before moving smoothly into the lead and pulling away to win by an "impressive" four lengths from Brave Inca. Jessica Harrington acknowledged that the faster ground and slower earlier pace had allowed had enabled Macs Joy to use his greater natural speed to his advantage. "We got him at last" she said, referring to Brave Inca.
"niggly muscle injuries" and he did not run again until January 2007. He was quite promising when taking third to Hardy Eustace in the Irish Champion Hurdle, but was disappointing when beaten at odds-on in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle.
He was still being prepared for a third attempt at the Champion Hurdle, but was forced out by a recurrence of his muscle problems four days before the race. He was re-routed to the Punchestown Festival in April, and after a warm up race on the flat, was made favourite for the Punchestown Champion Hurdle. Macs Joy overtook and then pulled clear of his main rival Hardy Eustace, but was caught in the closing stages and beaten a neck by the 20-1 outsider Silent Oscar.
, was untreatable and he was quickly euthanized. It was the only time that he had failed to complete the course in a race.
Jessica Harrington praised Macs Joy saying Barry Geraghty called him "a great horse... he'll be sadly missed"
(166), Punjabi
(164) and Katchit
(166).
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 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
Brave Inca
Brave Inca is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won ten Grade I races including the 2006 Champion Hurdle.-Background:...
. He was put down after breaking a leg in a race at Cheltenham
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is a racecourse for horse racing events, located at Prestbury Park, in the suburban village of Prestbury on the outskirts of the English town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire...
in December 2007.
Background
Macs Joy was the best horse sired by the American-bred stallion "Religiously". He was trained throughout his career by Jessica Harrington (officially Mrs John Harrington) near MooneMoone
Moone is a small village in the south of County Kildare, Ireland. It is on the former N9 road about south of Dublin. It has only a few hundred inhabitants, a church, a National School, one shop and a small community centre...
, County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
. His most regular jockey was Barry Geraghty
Barry Geraghty
Barry Geraghty is an Irish jockey.Geraghty rode his first winner in January 1997, three years later he became the Irish Champion jump jockey for the first time. He rode his first Cheltenham winner on the Jessica Harrington trained Moscow Flyer in the 2002 Arkle Chase.He won the Grand National in...
who rode him in twenty-two of his thirty-one races.
2003/4 season
Macs Joy began his career by running in two National Hunt flat raceNational 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 in June of 2003. He won on his debut at Tralee beating nineteen opponents and finished third in a similar event at Tipperary
Tipperary
Tipperary is a town and a civil parish in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 4,415 at the 2006 census. It is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, and is in the historical barony of Clanwilliam....
three weeks later.
When the jumping seaon proper began in autumn, Macs Joy was campaigned as a Novice Hurdler, running five times in minor events before Christmas. He showed some promise by winning a small race at Downpatrick
Downpatrick
Downpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
and finishing second to 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....
at Navan
Navan 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....
.
After Christmas he was moved out of Novice company, racing instead in Handicap races against more experienced opposition. He made rapid improvement, with his official handicap rating risisng from 111 to 142 in the next five months. After a second place in the valuable Pierse Hurdle in January he finished first in a handicap 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...
only to be disqualified for interfering with the runner-up when drifting left in the closing stages. In April Macs Joy recorded his first notable win, carrying 11-0 to victory in the Menolly Homes Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse, after which he was sent to England for the first time to compete in the Swinton Handicap Hurdle
Swinton Handicap Hurdle
The Swinton Handicap Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of 2 miles , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
at Haydock
Haydock Park Racecourse
Haydock Park Racecourse is a racecourse in Haydock, Merseyside, England. The track is a mostly flat left-handed oval of around 1 mile 5 furlongs with a very slight rise on the run-in. There are courses for flat racing and National Hunt racing...
. Held up in the early stages he made progress to lead approaching the last hurdle and ran on strongly to win by two and a half lengths. According to the Racing Post he "oozed class" and was "one to follow".
2004/5 season
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...
winner Brave Inca
Brave Inca
Brave Inca is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won ten Grade I races including the 2006 Champion Hurdle.-Background:...
"comfortably" This was to be the first of twelve meetings between the two horses over the next eighteen months (the final score was 7-5 in Brave Inca's favour). Although he was carrying ten pounds less than the runner-up, his performance attracted the attention of the bookmakers, who offered him at odds of 14-1 for 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...
immediately after the race.
After a third place to 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....
in the Morgiana Hurdle in November he was sent to Leopardstown for the Grade I 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...
. He produced his best performance to date, taking the lead before the last hurdle and going clear to beat Brave Inca by three lengths, with the Champion Hurdler 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:...
two lengths further back in third. Macs Joy confirmed his superiority over Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, and although the margins were much closer on this occasion, with the three horses crossing the line almost as one, he had established himself as a leading contender for 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...
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...
. Geraghty was confident, saying,"That is as good a Champion Hurdle trial you will see in a long time.".
At Cheltenham, Macs Joy went off third favourite at odds of 7-1, but after challenging two hurdles from the finish, he could make no further impression and came home fifth to Hardy Eustace, beaten five lengths. He moved up to two and a half miles at Aintree
Aintree
Aintree is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside. It lies between Walton and Maghull on the A59 road, about north of Liverpool city centre, in North West England....
where he finished fourth to Al Eile
Al Eile
Al Eile is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. He is best known for being the only horse to win the Grade I Aintree Hurdle three times.-Background:...
in 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...
, and ended his season with a third place to Brave Inca and Harchibald at Punchestown.
2005/6 season
Macs Joy took some time to find his form in the autumn. He finished last of five to Brave Inca in the Morgiana Hurdle, and a remote fourth to the same horse at the Punchcestown December Festival. In the new year he began to improve, getting to within a length of Brave Inca when second in the Irish Champion Hurdle, before recording his first win for over a year in the Red Mills Trial HurdleRed Mills Trial Hurdle
The Red Mills Trial Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt race in Ireland. It is run at Gowran Park in February, over a distance of 2 miles and during the race there are nine hurdles to be jumped.-Recent Winners:* Amateur jockeys indicated by "Mr"....
. Starting at odds-on, he was never under pressure and was eased down in the closing stages to beat the staying mare Asian Maze by four and a half lengths.
He returned to Cheltenham for the Championship, in which his improving form saw him sent off 13-2 third favourite behind Brave Inca (whose rider Tony McCoy
Tony McCoy
Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey....
had referred to Macs Joy as his "main danger") and Hardy Eustace, who was seeking his third consecutive win in the race. The three Irish horses dominated the race, but although Macs Joy was always in touch and challenged strongly in the closing stages, he was unable to catch Brave Inca, who beat him by a length, with Hardy Eustace third.
On his final start of the season, Macs Joy produced his best perfomance. The Punchestown Champion Hurdle attracted only four runners, but they included the first three from Cheltenham. Macs Joy tracked Hardy Eustace in the early stages before moving smoothly into the lead and pulling away to win by an "impressive" four lengths from Brave Inca. Jessica Harrington acknowledged that the faster ground and slower earlier pace had allowed had enabled Macs Joy to use his greater natural speed to his advantage. "We got him at last" she said, referring to Brave Inca.
2006/7 season
Macs Joy's return to the racecourse was delayed by a series of"niggly muscle injuries" and he did not run again until January 2007. He was quite promising when taking third to Hardy Eustace in the Irish Champion Hurdle, but was disappointing when beaten at odds-on in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle.
He was still being prepared for a third attempt at the Champion Hurdle, but was forced out by a recurrence of his muscle problems four days before the race. He was re-routed to the Punchestown Festival in April, and after a warm up race on the flat, was made favourite for the Punchestown Champion Hurdle. Macs Joy overtook and then pulled clear of his main rival Hardy Eustace, but was caught in the closing stages and beaten a neck by the 20-1 outsider Silent Oscar.
Death
Macs Joy began the 2007/2008 season with a third place in the Morgiana Hurdle before being sent to England for the Grade II Boylesports.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham on 15th December 2007. Macs Joy broke down with a serious leg injury approaching the third last hurdle. The injury, which proved to be a broken tibiaTibia
The tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....
, was untreatable and he was quickly euthanized. It was the only time that he had failed to complete the course in a race.
Jessica Harrington praised Macs Joy saying Barry Geraghty called him "a great horse... he'll be sadly missed"
Assessment
Macs Joy's highest official rating was 167, after his win in the 2006 Punchestown Champion Hurdle. This was equal to the highest rating achieved by the Champion Hurdler Brave Inca, and higher than the best rating achieved by the subsequent champions SublimitySublimity (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...
(166), Punjabi
Punjabi (horse)
Punjabi is a British Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Komatie and dam, Competa. Punjabi started racing as a three year old in 2005...
(164) and Katchit
Katchit
Katchit is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse, the peak of whose flat racing and hurdling career came in 2008 when, against the odds, he won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival...
(166).