humblepie
Well-Known Member
Sad news that Istabraq has died. He was 32. Loved watching him race and in recent years seeing photos of him in retirement. A true legend of a racehorse.
Istabraq
- Thread starter humblepie
- Start date
Escapade
Well-Known Member
I've been dreading this news. My childhood favourite and a big part of why I ever got into horses.
RIP, the legend of Istabraq
RIP, the legend of Istabraq
Smitty
Well-Known Member
32, couldn't have been, not that long ago surely when I was in a bookies and ALMOST put the housekeeping on him, he was that much of a banker.
What a wonderful horse and how fortunate he was in his connections, owner, trainer and jockey and I'm sure he will get a special resting place where he will never be forgotten.
What a wonderful horse and how fortunate he was in his connections, owner, trainer and jockey and I'm sure he will get a special resting place where he will never be forgotten.
Snowfilly
Well-Known Member
One of the greatest hurdlers of all time, and if it hadn’t been for foot and mouth I honestly think he’d had won the fourth champion hurdle. I loved watching him fly his fences.
A grand horse and a grand age. Rest easy, fella.
A grand horse and a grand age. Rest easy, fella.
Smitty
Well-Known Member
I agree, he was robbed of that!
Was it rained off one year? I seem to remember something along those lines and of course he bled a day or so before the race. Did he run eventually, don't remember...
olop
Well-Known Member
Oh that’s really sad what a legend! I’m still in shock that I didn’t realise he was trained by Aidan O’Brien, they recently put pictures up of him celebrating his birthday and he looked really well.
RIP xx
RIP xx
bonny
Well-Known Member
He won three champion hurdles then missed a year due to foot and mouth. He came back after that but he had bled coming over, he lined up and started the race but pulled up after a couple of flights to the loudest cheer. He was an absolute legend of a horse.
Smitty
Well-Known Member
Thank you, I thought he didn't run but couldn't remember.
humblepie
Well-Known Member
I've been dreading this news. My childhood favourite and a big part of why I ever got into horses.
RIP, the legend of Istabraq
That is so lovely, he was so eye catching when he raced.
I have just looked at his race record again, as had forgotten he started on the flat trained by John Gosden.
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
RIP beautiful big funny clever boy! Such a character and seemed he would go on forever! 32 is amazing.
j1ffy
Well-Known Member
What a horse! I was at Cheltenham for his third Champion Hurdle win - I didn't bother putting a bet on as I'd have needed to bet a house (which I didn't have 
) to win a brick. I've loved seeing the photos of him in his long and well-deserved retirement.
) to win a brick. I've loved seeing the photos of him in his long and well-deserved retirement.
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
I can’t find it sad. What a life he had and wanted for nothing.
I also think the time he lined up when he was ill and bled was one of the great betting coups of all time.
Incredible horse to watch though.
I also think the time he lined up when he was ill and bled was one of the great betting coups of all time.
Incredible horse to watch though.
pistolpete
Well-Known Member
Is it not sad at the end of a life? Even husbands deserve a tear or two!
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
Husbands?
I’m missing some connection there!
.But no I can’t mourn an old horse passing.