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Legendary racehorse Istabraq dies aged 32

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Legendary racehorse Istabraq 32nd Birthday video

Legendary racehorse Istabraq was beloved by JP and Noreen McManus pictured above at his 32nd birthday this past year

Legendary racehorse Istabraq was a three-time Champion Hurdle winner and was beloved by owner JP McManus and family

The legendary Limerick horse, Istabraq celebrated his 32nd birthday at Martinstown Stud, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Pictured her with his Groom, Lara Hegarty and John Kiely Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Three-time Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq has died at the age of 32, his owner JP McManus has announced.

Mr McManus, owner, confirmed the news in a statement, saying, “Sadly, Istabraq passed away at 1.15am this morning at the ripe old age of 32.

“He was a very special horse who gave us many great days of fun and enjoyment.


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“Our thanks to Lara Hegarty, Johnny O’Brien and all the staff at Martinstown who took such fantastic care of him over many years.

“We are pleased that we gave him a good celebration for his most recent birthday in May.

“He leaves Noreen, myself and the family with wonderful memories.”

Istabraq, under Charlie Swan who rode him in all of his 29 races over jumps, won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham from 1998 to 2000. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Istabraq was odds-on favourite for the 2001 renewal in Cheltenham before foot and mouth wiped out the meeting and put paid to his chances of a four-timer.

In all Istabraq won 23 of his 29 races over obstacles, most famously becoming the fifth horse to win three Champion Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival in 2000.

The horse was retired in 2002 and went to live a long and happy life in Martinstown for the last 22 years.

His birthday was marked this past year with a celebration, cake, apples and carrots aplenty. The 32-year-old champion was celebrated by close friends and enthusiasts on the day, including owner JP McManus, trainer Aidan O’Brien, Charlie Swan who was his jockey for each of his races, and Limerick hurling manager John Kiely who shares a birthday with Istabraq.

Istabraq, the three-time Champion’s Hurdle winner booked a place in horse racing history books with a career from 1996 until his retirement in 2002 and has since been enjoying life at Martinstown Stud.

Istabraq’s achievements on the track are legendary, winning the Champion Hurdle three consecutive times in 1998, 1999, and 2000 is a testament to his exceptional ability. He is also recorded as the first Irish and British horse to win more than 1 million pounds in prize money.

Charlie Swan, Istabraq’s jockey during those triumphant years, reflected on the thrill of riding him, telling Richard Lynch of I Love Limerick, “It was brilliant. He was brilliantly trained by Aidan O’Brien. Any time I rode him, it was amazing how much he improved, he was always at his best during the Champion Hurdles. He was an easy horse to ride. I just had to really steer him.”

Istabraq’s success in the late 90s and early 2000s brought a great pride to Limerick and put the county on the map in the world of horse racing, his success inspired many future jockeys, trainers, owners, and enthusiasts.

As the celebration continued at Martinstown Stud, the love and affection for Istabraq was more than evident and now at 32 years of age, he still remains a symbol of excellence in the sport.

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The legendary Limerick horse, Istabraq celebrated his 32nd birthday at Martinstown Stud, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in celebration of the legacy and mark he left on the worlds of horse racing and the Limerick community. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.