LEGENDARY racehorse Baracouda, one of the stars of a golden era of jump racing, has died aged 28.
The French stayer took Britain by storm in the early 2000’s, winning two Stayers’ Hurdles at Cheltenham and four Long Walk’s at Ascot.
Times Newspapers LtdBaracouda won two Stayers’ Hurdles during a brilliant career[/caption]
In 2002, he beat Bannow Boy by a neck in the Stayers’ at the Festival in what is considered to be one of the greatest jumps races of all-time.
He was bought by billionaire owner JP McManus in early 2001 and went on to win 14 races and over £500,000 in prize-money for him.
He was trained throughout his career by Francois Doumen in Chantilly and spent his retirement living a life of luxury at McManus’ Martinstown Stud in Ireland.
McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “Baracouda was a bit special.
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“The time he was on the scene was a vintage era of staying hurdling. There were some great horses around in the division at that time.
“You had Jonjo’s grey horse Iris’s Gift and they had some great battles together. Iris’s Gift came back and beat him in 2004 having been narrowly beaten by him the previous year.
“Baracouda ran a blinder that day too. He was a wonderful horse and the Doumen’s did a wonderful job with him.
“He was enjoying life great at Martinstown, but just went down hill a few weeks ago unfortunately.
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“We had some really great days with him. He was very healthy and well up until the very end.”
Racing fans paid tribute to the great horse on social media.
One said: “Farewell to a truly special horse in the golden age of Stayers’ Hurdlers two decades ago.”
Another posted: “RIP Baracouda. Won at my very first Cheltenham Festival 20 years. The exaggerated waiting tactics were fascinating to watch at the time.”
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