Tag Archive for: Charlie Swan

Constitution Hill fever reminiscent of the halcyon days of Istabraq

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Charlie Swan described Unibet Champion Hurdle favourite Constitution Hill as a “freak”, as he reflected on his own great days at the Cheltenham Festival aboard the imperious Istabraq.

Owned by JP McManus and trained by an at the time emerging Aidan O’Brien, Istabraq would win four times at National Hunt racing’s spring showpiece.

His first success at Prestbury Park came in the 1997 Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle, but over the following three years he would prove unstoppable in the Champion Hurdle, as he joined the likes of See You Then, Persian War, Hatton’s Grace and Sir Ken on the elite list of three-time winners.

Istabraq had barely broken sweat in his previous two Champion Hurdle triumphs by the time he was sent off the 8-15 favourite for his hat-trick bid 25 years ago.

Istabraq set the Cheltenham ball rolling when winning the SunAlliance as a novice hurdler
Istabraq set the Cheltenham ball rolling when winning the SunAlliance as a novice hurdler (Barry Batchelor/PA)

However, there was a late scare on the eve of the contest after the discovery of a trickle of blood coming from one of Istabraq’s nostrils, something which had connections pondering on their next move.

The decision was made to allow the son of Sadler’s Wells his shot at Cheltenham immortality and the rest was history, as he once again proved he was the undoubted hurdling superstar of his generation, returning to unforgettable scenes.

“It was exceptional to win it for the third time and it was a great performance,” said Swan, reflecting on Istabraq’s four-length success over Hors La Loi III in 2000.

“He won all of his Champion Hurdles really easily and I didn’t have to hit him in any of them, which is amazing really.

Aidan O’Brien back in the Istabraq days
Aidan O’Brien back in the Istabraq days (Barry Batchelor/PA)

“You were always under a bit of pressure when riding a horse like him, but it was always really exciting and you always looked forward to riding him.

“It goes without saying that it was a bit of a relief when he won that third time, because everyone thought he would win so easily. But it was great times and to do it for the McManus family was brilliant. JP is such a great guy and Aidan is obviously such a brilliant trainer, it was a great time.”

It was felt by many that Constitution Hill was on the road to joining Istabraq on the list of multiple-time Champion Hurdle winners after he first took home the hurdling blue riband in 2023.

A setback derailed Constitution Hill’s title defence and in turn any chance of following in Istabraq’s footsteps and winning the contest for three straight years.

Charlie Swan is cheered by a packed crowd following Istabraq's third Champion Hurdle
Charlie Swan is cheered by a packed crowd following Istabraq’s third Champion Hurdle (Barry Batchelor/PA)

But Swan sees similarities between two of the very best to grace the two-mile hurdling division and is backing Nicky Henderson’s superstar to regain his crown.

He said: “He’s a bit of a freak Constitution Hill, it’s always hard to win a Champion Hurdle but he has every chance of winning another.

“I think he is a very good jumper and he would jump pretty similar to Istabraq – he’s brave and takes on his hurdles.

“There will be a strong challenge from Ireland. Brighterdaysahead, Lossiemouth and State Man are going to be tough opponents and it would be great if they all turned up, hopefully they will.

“It will be a great race and I wish all the best of luck to Michael Buckley (owner) and Nicky Henderson, it would be great for them to see Constitution Hill win it again.”

Scenes reminiscent of Istabraq after Constitution Hill's Champion Hurdle
Scenes reminiscent of Istabraq after Constitution Hill’s Champion Hurdle (Tim Goode/PA)

Swan had delayed his own retirement to continue his long and fruitful association with Istabraq, with the duo combining 29 times over hurdles and coming out on top on 23 occasions.

The foot and mouth crisis put paid to the pair’s quest for an unprecedented fourth Champion Hurdle success in 2001, while his swansong in the 2002 renewal ended before the third flight of hurdles, with the 2-1 favourite swiftly pulled up lame.

It will always be hard to forget those triumphant afternoons in the Cotswolds for all connected and Swan has nothing but the fondest of memories of his time in the saddle aboard his greatest ally.

He continued: “It was definitely a privilege to be involved with Istabraq, he was an easy horse to ride and I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Riding a horse like him and with his profile was just brilliant.

“He is the sort of once-in-a-lifetime horse that you never really appreciate until afterwards, they are hard horses to come across.

“It was great to win all those races for JP and Noreen and their family – and for Aidan as well, it was great to be riding for him at the time and it was a real honour.”

‘Horse of a lifetime’ Istabraq dies aged 32

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Aidan O’Brien hailed Istabraq “the horse of a lifetime” after the brilliant hurdler died on Thursday morning at the age of 32.

A dual winner from 11 starts on the Flat for John Gosden, the son of Sadler’s Wells went on to become one of the most popular National Hunt horses of the modern era.

In all, Istabraq won 23 of his 29 races over obstacles for leading owner JP McManus under jockey Charlie Swan, most famously becoming the fifth horse to win three Champion Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival in 2000.

He also won the 1997 Royal and SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, as well as four Irish Champion Hurdles, two Hatton’s Grace Hurdles and an Aintree Hurdle over the course of his glittering career.

O’Brien told the PA news agency: “Istabraq was obviously the horse of a lifetime for us, one of those very rare horses that only come along once.

“He was very lucky to be owned by JP and Noreen (McManus) and ridden by Charlie – and a lot of people looked after him. Tommy Murphy was the assistant at Ballydoyle before we came and then he stayed on with us and he did a lot of work with him.

“He was a great horse for us and a big part of our family. When the little ones (children) were small, he would have been right at the height of his powers, so for everyone he was a massive part of our lives at that time.”

The remarkable Istabraq story began in earnest after he was snapped up by Timmy Hyde on behalf of McManus for 38,000 guineas in the summer of 1996, coincidentally the same year as a fresh-faced O’Brien moved into the legendary Ballydoyle stables.

Istabraq was bought on the recommendation of John Durkan, who knew him better than most, having been Gosden’s assistant, and was due to train him for his jumping career.

Istabraq in action at Cheltenham
Istabraq in action at Cheltenham (David Jones/PA)

Sadly, Durkan was later diagnosed with leukaemia and O’Brien was entrusted to train the gelding in his absence. Durkan died just days before Istabraq won his first Irish Champion Hurdle in January 1998.

“We were just moving to Ballydoyle and JP bought Istabraq for John Durkan to train. John gave him to Timmy Hyde and when he had him ready, he sent him to Ballydoyle. We were supposed to have him for a year while John was having treatment for leukaemia and unfortunately John passed away,” said O’Brien.

“He was an incredible horse really. I suppose what made him unusual is that he was trained on the Flat before he came to us, so he had the mind of a Flat horse and was full of nervous energy, but he had a lot of ability and an unbelievable cruise.

“He was an incredible jumper, I think that’s what made him very different. Charlie always said he used to take off two strides before any other horse and landed on his back legs, which is very unusual as that meant he got away from his hurdles much quicker.

“I suppose the one that stuck out for us really was his first Champion Hurdle. That was his first time dropping back to two miles in a Champion Hurdle, but every one of his wins was very special.”

Istabraq’s racing days came to an end after being pulled up in his bid for a fourth Champion Hurdle success at Cheltenham in 2002 and he went on to enjoy a long and happy retirement at McManus’ Martinstown Stud in County Limerick, celebrating his 32nd birthday in May.

In a statement issued on Thursday, McManus said: “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.

“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.”

Charlie Swan celebrates winning a third Champion Hurdle on Istabraq
Charlie Swan celebrates winning a third Champion Hurdle on Istabraq (Barry Batchelor/PA)

Swan was ever-present in the saddle aboard Istabraq during his jumping career and has fond memories of the hurdling great.

He said: “It’s a sad day, but I suppose he had a great innings; he was 32, and he was looked after like a king at Martinstown, as he deserved.

“I had some great days and I suppose winning the third Champion Hurdle is the one that sticks out. It hadn’t been done many times and that was a special day.

“His jumping was so good – he was so quick to get his front legs out and was very accurate.

“He obviously had loads of speed but he stayed well and jumped – he had everything really. And you could ride him any way you wanted.”

Hurdling great Istabraq dies aged 32

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

Initially a smart Flat horse for John Gosden, the son of Sadler’s Wells went on to become one of the greatest and most popular National Hunt horses of the modern era after joining Aidan O’Brien.

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.

He also won the 1997 Royal and Sunalliance Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham as well as four Irish Champion Hurdles, two Hatton’s Grace Hurdles and an Aintree Hurdle over the course of his glittering career.

Istabraq’s racing days came to an end after being pulled up in his bid for a fourth Champion Hurdle success at Cheltenham in 2002 and he has since enjoyed a long and happy retirement at McManus’ Martinstown Stud in County Limerick, celebrating his 32nd birthday in May.

In a statement issued on Thursday, McManus said: “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.

“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.”

Charlie Swan celebrates winning a third Champion Hurdle on Istabraq
Charlie Swan celebrates winning a third Champion Hurdle on Istabraq (Barry Batchelor/PA)

Charlie Swan was ever-present in the saddle aboard Istabraq during his jumping career and has fond memories of the hurdling great.

He said: “It’s a sad day, but I suppose he had a great innings; he was 32, and he was looked after like a king at Martinstown, as he deserved.

“I had some great days and I suppose winning the third Champion Hurdle is the one that sticks out. It hadn’t been done many times and that was a special day.

“His jumping was so good – he was so quick to get his front legs out and was very accurate.

“He obviously had loads of speed but he stayed well and jumped – he had everything really. And you could ride him any way you wanted.”