Tidal Bay
Encyclopedia
Tidal Bay is an Irish bred Bay gelding
Thoroughbred
race horse foaled on 12 May 2001. He is the winner of two Grade 1 jumps races, the Arkle Challenge Trophy and the Maghull Novices' Chase
in 2008. Trained by Howard Johnson and owned by Graham and Andrea Wylie, he was bred by John Dorgan.
(under Michal Kohl) at Wetherby
on March 18 2006, where he finished a half length
second to Scribano Eile. He was then second again by only a neck just under a month later at Aintree. In doing so he beat the decent Kicks For Free, Hennessy and Wichita Lineman.
winning in his first three attempts by a total of 21 lengths. He was second by only a neck to Massini's Maguire in the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival
in March 2007. On that day he had future Cheltenham Gold Cup
winner Imperial Commander
well behind him. Tidal Bay then went on to improve on that in Mersey Novices' Hurdle
at Aintree
in April 2007, where he beat Wins Now by 8 lengths under Paddy Brennan
.
. His prep run for that race came in a Novices Chase at Doncaster
in February, where he was sent off a 1/4 shot, but after making a mistake at the second last he was beaten a neck by Leslingtaylor. He was sent off the 6/1 second favourite for the 2008 Arkle Challenge Trophy behind market leader Noland (7/4) and it was in this race that Tidal Bay gained the biggest success of his career to date, where he was a comfortable 13 length winner over Kruguyrova. He went on to add to this success at Aintree in April 2008, where he won the Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase
by 6 lengths from Takeroc.
. He was then 2nd again on boxing day in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase
at Wetherby this time beaten 7 lengths by Nozic. In January 2009 Tidal Bay was 3rd behind Joe Lively and Welsh National
winner Halcon Genelardais in the Letherby & Christopher chase on unsuitable heavy going at Cheltenham. He headed straight back to Cheltenham for the Festival finishing fourth behind Imperial Commander
in the Ryanair Chase. Tidal Bay then went to Aintree for the Melling Chase
but could only manage a 5th at the end of a hard season. Subsequently he was treated for a back problem and would return early in the 2009-2010 season.
. He put up a decent performance for 2nd behind Monets Garden and in doing so beat that seasons eventual Grand National
winner Don't Push It
. He disappointed at Huntingdon in December when finishing 4th when sent off the 15/8 favourite for the Peterborough Chase
. Questions were now being asked as to whether his back was still an issue. Tidal Bay then pulled off a shock when winning the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle
at the Cheltenham Festival Trials meeting beating ace hurdlers Lough Derg
and Katchit
as well as the potentially top class chaser Time For Rupert. It was decided that he would remain over hurdles and be aimed at the World Hurdle
at the Festival in March. Unfortunately Tidal Bay was unable to repeat that form finishing 7th behind Big Buck's
and Time For Rupert. He faced Big Buck's again at Aintree but could only manage 4th.
) in November. Here he pulled off an amazing performance to finish second to Imperial Commander
having been virtually tailed off with a circuit still to travel. Admittedly however Imperial Commander was always in control and Tidal Bay was slightly flattered by the half length he was beaten by. Next for Tidal Bay was the Cheltenham Trials meeting where he was again second. Once again he tailed himself off before staying on strongly as Neptune Collonges
faded. Tidal Bay started at around 14-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He travelled well through the first circuit, then once again he idolled and found himself at one point over 80 yards behind the leaders with 4 fences remaining. Only to produce his incredible finish at the end of the race to go down by under 14 lengths to Long Run. His final race of the season was the John Smiths Grand National. There were high hopes for him before the race with many thinking that his Gold Cup performance made him "well in" at the weights. Unfortuunatley he unseated his rider on the first circuit - too early in the race to know if he was going to be involved at the finish.
Gelding
A gelding is a castrated horse or other equine such as a donkey or a mule. Castration, and the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male horse to be calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday...
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...
race horse foaled on 12 May 2001. He is the winner of two Grade 1 jumps races, the Arkle Challenge Trophy and the Maghull Novices' Chase
Maghull Novices' Chase
The Maghull Novices' Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are twelve fences to be jumped...
in 2008. Trained by Howard Johnson and owned by Graham and Andrea Wylie, he was bred by John Dorgan.
Debut
He made his debut in a 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....
(under Michal Kohl) at Wetherby
Wetherby Racecourse
Wetherby Racecourse is a National Hunt racecourse situated near the market town of Wetherby in West Yorkshire, England, located from Leeds city centre.-Location:...
on March 18 2006, where he finished a half length
Length (horse racing)
A horse length, or simply length, is a unit of measurement that refers to the length of a horse from nose to tail, approximately 8 feet, It is commonly used in Thoroughbred horse racing, where it describes the distance between horses in a race...
second to Scribano Eile. He was then second again by only a neck just under a month later at Aintree. In doing so he beat the decent Kicks For Free, Hennessy and Wichita Lineman.
2006-2007 Season
In his first season racing Tidal Bay was sent novice hurdlingHurdling (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 ....
winning in his first three attempts by a total of 21 lengths. He was second by only a neck to Massini's Maguire in the Ballymore Properties 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...
in March 2007. On that day he had 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 Imperial Commander
Imperial Commander (horse)
Imperial Commander is a 9 year old throughbred racehorse.-Racing career:Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by jockey Paddy Brennan, Imperial Commander won the Gold Cup in 2010 at the Cheltenham Festival. The horse finished ahead of favourites Kauto Star and Denman...
well behind him. Tidal Bay then went on to improve on that in Mersey Novices' Hurdle
Mersey Novices' Hurdle
The Mersey 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, Merseyside, over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are eleven hurdles to be jumped...
at 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....
in April 2007, where he beat Wins Now by 8 lengths under Paddy Brennan
Paddy Brennan (jockey)
Paddy Brennan, is an Irish jockey who rode the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2010.A native of Ardrahan, County Galway, Brennan was a keen GAA player with dreams of becoming a county hurler. He only became involved in horseracing after a neighbour noticed his talent with hunt horses...
.
2007-2008 Season
In the 2007-2008 season, Tidal Bay was to embark on a hugely successful Novice Chasing campaign. He was sent off at odds on for his first three Novice Chases,the first at Aintree where he beat the brilliant Albertas Run by a staggering 22 lengths. He comfortably won his next two starts and was made Antepost favourite for the Arkle Challenge Trophy at CheltenhamCheltenham 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...
. His prep run for that race came in a Novices Chase at Doncaster
Doncaster Racecourse
Doncaster Racecourse is a racecourse in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. It hosts two of Great Britain's 31 Group 1 flat races, the St Leger Stakes and the Racing Post Trophy.- History :...
in February, where he was sent off a 1/4 shot, but after making a mistake at the second last he was beaten a neck by Leslingtaylor. He was sent off the 6/1 second favourite for the 2008 Arkle Challenge Trophy behind market leader Noland (7/4) and it was in this race that Tidal Bay gained the biggest success of his career to date, where he was a comfortable 13 length winner over Kruguyrova. He went on to add to this success at Aintree in April 2008, where he won the Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase
Maghull Novices' Chase
The Maghull Novices' Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are twelve fences to be jumped...
by 6 lengths from Takeroc.
2008-2009 Season
His first race out of novice company came at Carlisle on the 2nd November 2008. He won comfortably, again beating Albertas Run. Next he headed to Sandown Park for the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase. Here he put up a valiant effort beaten only by the juggernaut that is Master MindedMaster Minded
Master Minded is a French bred National Hunt racehorse presently trained in Great Britain by Paul Nicholls.- Early Days in France :...
. He was then 2nd again on boxing day in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase
Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase
The Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Wetherby over a distance of about 3 miles and 1 furlong , and during its running there are eighteen fences to be jumped...
at Wetherby this time beaten 7 lengths by Nozic. In January 2009 Tidal Bay was 3rd behind Joe Lively and Welsh National
Welsh National
The Welsh National is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Chepstow, Wales, over a distance of about 3 miles and 5½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
winner Halcon Genelardais in the Letherby & Christopher chase on unsuitable heavy going at Cheltenham. He headed straight back to Cheltenham for the Festival finishing fourth behind Imperial Commander
Imperial Commander (horse)
Imperial Commander is a 9 year old throughbred racehorse.-Racing career:Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by jockey Paddy Brennan, Imperial Commander won the Gold Cup in 2010 at the Cheltenham Festival. The horse finished ahead of favourites Kauto Star and Denman...
in the Ryanair Chase. Tidal Bay then went to Aintree for the Melling Chase
Melling Chase
The Melling Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are sixteen fences to be jumped...
but could only manage a 5th at the end of a hard season. Subsequently he was treated for a back problem and would return early in the 2009-2010 season.
2009-2010 Season
Tidal Bay returned in October 2009 at Aintree in the Old Roan ChaseOld Roan Chase
The Old Roan Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the Mildmay Course at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are sixteen fences to be jumped...
. He put up a decent performance for 2nd behind Monets Garden and in doing so beat that seasons eventual Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
winner Don't Push It
Don't Push It
Don't Push It is a Grand National-winning thoroughbred racehorse.- Debut :Don't Push It began his career on the 5th December 2004 at Warwick Racecourse in a National Hunt Flat race . He finished 3rd.- 2005-2006 Season :...
. He disappointed at Huntingdon in December when finishing 4th when sent off the 15/8 favourite for the Peterborough Chase
Peterborough Chase
The Peterborough Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Huntingdon over a distance of about 2 miles and 4½ furlongs , and during its running there are sixteen fences to be jumped...
. Questions were now being asked as to whether his back was still an issue. Tidal Bay then pulled off a shock when winning the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle
Cleeve Hurdle
The Cleeve Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain 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 during its running there are twelve hurdles to be jumped...
at the Cheltenham Festival Trials meeting beating ace hurdlers Lough Derg
Lough Derg
Lough Derg is the name of two lakes in Ireland:* Lough Derg a large lake on the River Shannon, bordering counties Clare, Galway and Tipperary.* Lough Derg a small lake, a place of Christian pilgrimage....
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...
as well as the potentially top class chaser Time For Rupert. It was decided that he would remain over hurdles and be aimed at the World Hurdle
World Hurdle
The World 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 New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there are twelve hurdles to be jumped...
at the Festival in March. Unfortunately Tidal Bay was unable to repeat that form finishing 7th behind Big Buck's
Big Buck's
Big Buck's is a National Hunt racehorse trained in Britain by Paul Nicholls and specialising in racing over hurdles. At the 2011 Cheltenham Festival Big Buck's made history by winning 3 consecutive World Hurdles, beating Grands Crus by one and a half lengths...
and Time For Rupert. He faced Big Buck's again at Aintree but could only manage 4th.
2010-2011 Season
Tidal Bay's first run of the 2010/11 season was again over hurdles, at Wetherby. He finished a decent 3rd before being reverted to chasing at Haydock (Grade 1 Betfair ChaseBetfair Chase
The Betfair Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt Steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there are eighteen fences to be jumped...
) in November. Here he pulled off an amazing performance to finish second to Imperial Commander
Imperial Commander (horse)
Imperial Commander is a 9 year old throughbred racehorse.-Racing career:Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by jockey Paddy Brennan, Imperial Commander won the Gold Cup in 2010 at the Cheltenham Festival. The horse finished ahead of favourites Kauto Star and Denman...
having been virtually tailed off with a circuit still to travel. Admittedly however Imperial Commander was always in control and Tidal Bay was slightly flattered by the half length he was beaten by. Next for Tidal Bay was the Cheltenham Trials meeting where he was again second. Once again he tailed himself off before staying on strongly as Neptune Collonges
Neptune Collonges
Neptune Collonges is an French Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Dom Alco and dam, Castille Collonges. He is owned by John Hales and is trained by Paul Nicholls...
faded. Tidal Bay started at around 14-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He travelled well through the first circuit, then once again he idolled and found himself at one point over 80 yards behind the leaders with 4 fences remaining. Only to produce his incredible finish at the end of the race to go down by under 14 lengths to Long Run. His final race of the season was the John Smiths Grand National. There were high hopes for him before the race with many thinking that his Gold Cup performance made him "well in" at the weights. Unfortuunatley he unseated his rider on the first circuit - too early in the race to know if he was going to be involved at the finish.