THE links with three-in-a-row Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winning Istabraq have been honoured by the Association of Sports Journalists in Ireland (ASJI) in conjunction with Flutter UK and Ireland.
He was trained by Aidan O’Brien, ridden by Charlie Swan and owned in Martinstown by JP McManus.
Of his 29 runs over jumps, Istabraq won 23 times – including three Champion Hurdles (1998/99/00) around Prestbury Park, four Irish Champion Hurdles, the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle twice, Aintree Hurdle, and the Supreme Novices Hurdle.
He amassed over €1m in prize money.
“This has been a very special day for everyone connected with Istabraq,” said McManus.
“We were very fortunate to own a horse like him. I was a young man then and it meant we could celebrate Istabraq for so many years afterwards.
“The great thing about him was that every time Istabraq was running I knew where all the family would be. You would never know usually but whenever Istabraq was running everyone would turn up. He was just so special.”
Thwarted of a record-breaking Champion Hurdle four-timer in 2001, he was pulled up injured in the same race a year later and retired to Martinstown Stud where he lived until July 2024 to the ripe old age of 32.
