Istabraq: Three-time Champion Hurdle winner dies aged 32 | Racing Information

Three-time Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq has died on the age of 32, his proprietor JP McManus has introduced.

Initially a sensible Flat horse for John Gosden, the son of Sadler’s Wells went on to change into one of many best and hottest Nationwide Hunt horses of the fashionable period after becoming a member of Aidan O’Brien.

In all Istabraq gained 23 of his 29 races over obstacles, most famously changing into the fifth horse to win three Champion Hurdles on the Cheltenham Pageant in 2000.

He additionally gained the 1997 Royal and Sunalliance Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in addition to 4 Irish Champion Hurdles, two Hatton’s Grace Hurdles and an Aintree Hurdle over the course of his glittering profession.

Istabraq’s racing days got here to an finish after being pulled up in his bid for a fourth Champion Hurdle success at Cheltenham in 2002 and he has since loved an extended and glad retirement at McManus’ Martinstown Stud in County Limerick, celebrating his thirty second birthday in Might.

In an announcement issued on Thursday, McManus mentioned: “Sadly, Istabraq handed away at 1.15am this morning on the ripe outdated age of 32. He was a really particular horse who gave us many nice days of enjoyable and pleasure.

“Our due to Lara Hegarty, Johnny O’Brien and all of the employees at Martinstown who took such implausible care of him over a few years.

“We’re happy that we gave him celebration for his most up-to-date birthday in Might. He leaves Noreen, myself and the household with fantastic reminiscences.”