Istabraq
Foaled: 1992
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Owner: JP McManus
Jockey: Charlie Swan
Sire: Sadler's Wells
Dam: Betty's Secret
Did you know: One of the most loved hurdlers of all time, Istabraq was a truly remarkable individual. Trained by Aidan O'Brien over hurdles, he won no less than 14 Grade 1 contests, meeting with defeat on only three occasions when completing the course. A tremendously fluent jumper that travelled strongly through his races and possessed a potent turn of foot, he was incredibly exciting to watch and endeared himself to the racing public from the very beginning of his hurdling career. Indeed, after his hurdling debut he was sent off as favourite for every one of his remaining 28 races over hurdles. His four wins at the Cheltenham Festival, including three consecutive Champion Hurdles, are the stuff of legend, as was his partnership with the ultra-confident Charlie Swan. Such was his popularity, he inspired a song and was considered a celebrity in his own right in Ireland at the time.Shell Champion H'dle (Grade 1) (Trained by: A.P.O'Brien - Ridden by: Charles Francis Swan - 1999)
AIG Europe Champion H'dle (Grade 1) (Trained by: A.P.O'Brien - Ridden by: Charles Francis Swan - 2001)
AIG Europe Champion H'dle (Grade 1) (Trained by: A.P.O'Brien - Ridden by: Charles Francis Swan - 2000)
John James McManus Memorial H'dle (Trained by: A.P.O'Brien - Ridden by: Charles Francis Swan - 1999)
John James McManus Memorial H'dle (Trained by: A.P.O'Brien - Ridden by: Charles Francis Swan - 1998)
AIG Europe Champion H'dle (Grade 1) (Trained by: A.P.O'Brien - Ridden by: Charles Francis Swan - 1999)
Tote December Festival H'dle (Grade 2) (Trained by: A.P.O'Brien - Ridden by: Charles Francis Swan - 2001)
AIG Europe Champion H'dle (Grade 1) (Trained by: A.P.O'Brien - Ridden by: Charles Francis Swan - 1998)
Avonmore Waterford Hatton's Grace H'dle (Grade 1) (Trained by: A.P.O'Brien - Ridden by: Charles Francis Swan - 1998)
A.I.B. Agri-Business December Fest.H'dle (Grade 2) (Trained by: A.P.O'Brien - Ridden by: Charles Francis Swan - 1999)
A.I.B. Agri-Business December Fest.H'dle (Grade 2) (Trained by: A.P.O'Brien - Ridden by: Charles Francis Swan - 1998)
| Season | Runs | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Win Money | Place Money | Total * |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Hunt 2001/2002 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | €41,901 | €0 | €41,901 |
| National Hunt 2000/2001 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | €83,803 | €0 | €83,803 |
| Venue | Date | Jockey | Trainer | Race Type | Distance | Place | Weight | Rating | Race | Pattern/Listed | Prize Money | Horse | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham | 12/03/2002 | C F Swan | Hdl | 2m 110yds | p | 12-0 | C F Swan | ||||||
| Leopardstown | 29/12/2001 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m | 1 | 11-12 | 174 | Tote December Festival H'dle (Grade 2) | Grade 2 | €41,901 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien |
| Leopardstown | 27/04/2001 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m | fell | 12-0 | 176 | Shell Champion H'dle (Grade 1) | Grade 1 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | |
| Leopardstown | 21/01/2001 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m | 1 | 11-10 | 176 | AIG Europe Champion H'dle (Grade 1) | Grade 1 | €83,803 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien |
| Leopardstown | 31/12/2000 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m | fell | 12-0 | 176 | A.I.B. Agri-Business December Fest.H'dle (Grade 2) | Grade 2 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | |
| Cheltenham | 14/03/2000 | C.F. Swan | Hdl | 2m 110yds | 1 | 12-0 | C.F. Swan | ||||||
| Leopardstown | 23/01/2000 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m | 1 | 11-10 | 174 | AIG Europe Champion H'dle (Grade 1) | Grade 1 | €62,852 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien |
| Leopardstown | 29/12/1999 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m | 1 | 12-0 | 174 | A.I.B. Agri-Business December Fest.H'dle (Grade 2) | Grade 2 | €23,465 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien |
| Fairyhouse | 28/11/1999 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m 4f | 2 | 12-0 | 174 | Duggan Brothers Hatton's Grace H'dle (Grade 1) | Grade 1 | €11,428 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien |
| Tipperary | 23/10/1999 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m | 1 | 11-11 | 174 | John James McManus Memorial H'dle | €50,282 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | |
| Punchestown | 30/04/1999 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m | 1 | 12-0 | 170 | Shell Champion H'dle (Grade 1) | Grade 1 | €85,200 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien |
| Aintree | 10/04/1999 | C.F. Swan | Hdl | 2m 4f | 1 | 11-7 | C.F. Swan | ||||||
| Cheltenham | 16/03/1999 | C.F. Swan | Hdl | 2m 110yds | 1 | 12-0 | C.F. Swan | ||||||
| Leopardstown | 24/01/1999 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m | 1 | 11-10 | 164 | AIG Europe Champion H'dle (Grade 1) | Grade 1 | €46,092 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien |
| Leopardstown | 29/12/1998 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m | 1 | 12-0 | 164 | A.I.B. Agri-Business December Fest.H'dle (Grade 2) | Grade 2 | €17,776 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien |
| Fairyhouse | 29/11/1998 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m 4f | 1 | 12-0 | 164 | Avonmore Waterford Hatton's Grace H'dle (Grade 1) | Grade 1 | €33,521 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien |
| Cork | 03/11/1998 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m | 1 | 11-11 | 164 | John James McManus Memorial H'dle | €50,282 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | |
| Aintree | 04/04/1998 | C.F. Swan | Hdl | 2m 4f | 2 | 11-7 | C.F. Swan | ||||||
| Cheltenham | 17/03/1998 | C.F. Swan | Hdl | 2m 110yds | 1 | 12-0 | C.F. Swan | ||||||
| Leopardstown | 25/01/1998 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien | Hdl | 2m | 1 | 11-10 | 155 | AIG Europe Champion H'dle (Grade 1) | Grade 1 | €41,901 | Charles Francis Swan | A.P.O'Brien |
| Cheltenham | 12/03/1997 | C.F. Swan | Hdl | 2m 5f | 1 | 11-7 | C.F. Swan |