Aidan O’Brien is rightly recognised as one of the greatest flat trainers of all time, with more Group/Grade 1 triumphs than all who have come before. However, it is easy to forget that the first true superstar to call Ballydoyle home made his name not on the level but over jumps.
O’Brien hasn’t trained too many hurdlers over the years. It is typical of the man that one of those whom he did look after is widely lauded as one of the most talented performers to ever strut their stuff in the two-mile division – the mighty Istabraq: 14-time Grade 1 winner and triple Champion Hurdle hero.
Having stepped out for the final time in front of his adoring fans at the 2002 Cheltenham Festival, Istabraq enjoyed a long and happy retirement at the Martinstown home of owner J P McManus. Sadly, as with people, so it is with horses – none of us can go on forever, and Thursday, 25th July 2024, brought the news that Istabraq had set off for the pastures in the sky at the grand old age of 32. Here, we remember a horse who truly deserves his place in racing legend.
RIP Istabraq. Lived 32 wonderful years – he truly was the horse of a lifetime pic.twitter.com/UWhCi1SYXQ
— AP McCoy (@AP_McCoy) July 25, 2024
Low Key On The Level
By Sadler’s Wells and out of a daughter of US sensation Secretariat, Istabraq initially raced in the famous blue and white silks of owner/breeder Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. Placed with John Gosden, he wasn’t without ability on the level – finishing in the first two in seven of his 11 starts between 1994 and 1996, but never winning at higher than Class 4 level. Perhaps he would fare better when sent over the hurdles…
Tragic Beginnings
Picked out by Timmy Hyde and son-in-law John Durkan for owner JP McManus, Istabraq moved to Ireland to be trained by Durkan, who was about to commence life as a trainer. Sadly, tragedy struck, as Durkan was diagnosed with Leukaemia shortly after purchasing the horse in 1997 and ultimately passed away in January 1998.
During Durkan’s illness, Istabraq was placed in the yard of an emerging talent, going by the name of Aidan O’Brien. That temporary arrangement became permanent, and Istabraq embarked on a journey to racing immortality.
A National Hunt Natural
From his early days at Ballydoyle, it soon became apparent that the team had something a little out of the ordinary on their hands. Usually taking off way before his rivals and landing after them, Istabraq’s prodigious jumping, combined with an almost unfailing ability to land in stride, signalled a horse born for the hurdling game.
Winning the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle on only his second start over obstacles, the now five-year-old carried the green and gold silks of JP McManus to his first Cheltenham Festival victory in the Royal Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle in 1997. With that event coming over 2m5f, Istabraq wasn’t lacking in the stamina department, but McManus insisted that the apple of his eye was best suited to two miles. How right he turned out to be.
King of the Two Mile Division
Winning each of his five subsequent starts following that Cheltenham Festival success, Istabraq was nevertheless allowed to start at 3/1 for the 1998 Champion Hurdle following a workmanlike victory at Leopardstown. What followed was a simply staggering display.
Up with the pace throughout, Istabraq appeared to be travelling much the best some way from home. Heading into the final turn, regular rider Charlie Swan could hold onto him no longer, and off Istabraq went. Already six lengths clear entering the home straight, by the line, that advantage had extended to a yawning 12 lengths. A superstar was born.
Foot and Mouth Denies Record
Returning to defend his Champion Hurdle crown in 1999, Istabraq was sent off at odds of just 4/9 this time and made short work of his rivals – merely needing to be pushed out for a three-and-a-half-length success. Fast forward to 2000, and Istabraq remained imperious. Still on the bit approaching the last, he left his rivals trailing in his wake with a burst of acceleration to end the contest in a matter of strides.
Now boasting three Champion Hurdle wins, Istabraq joined Hatton’s Grace, Sir Ken, Persian War, and See You Then as the most successful horse in the history of the race. Such was his superiority that many viewed a record-setting fourth as a mere formality.
Warming up for Cheltenham 2001 with a fourth win in the Irish Champion Hurdle, it was hard to see what could beat the champ. In the end, it wasn’t a rival or an injury that denied Istabraq the record, but rather the Foot and Mouth outbreak, which resulted in the abandonment of the 2001 Cheltenham Festival.
Istabraq By The Numbers
Istabraq won just once more following the 2001 abandonment as age finally took its toll. However, missing out on the chance to win a fourth Champion Hurdle did little to detract from a career record which is impressive by any standards.
- National Hunt Starts – 29
- National Hunt Wins – 23
- Grade 1 Wins – 14
- Cheltenham Festival Wins – 4
- Career Prize Money – £1,053,385
