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David Hurley, 19 Apr
HOT on the hooves of Aintree is the Punchestown Racing Festival, a
place that is very familiar to arguably one of Limerick’s greatest
sporting heroes, Istabraq.
While the decorated gelding is enjoying a life of retirement on the
grounds of Martinstown Stud outside Kilmallock, he knows only too well
the preparation, training and star quality needed to win on the big
days.
Lara Hegarty cares for the loveable rogue who endeared himself to the
wider public when he famously won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on
three occasions in the JP McManus green and gold silks.
And, according to Lara, “whatever Istabraq wants, he gets”.
Lara has spent a decade with the horse who has the attitude of a colt -
he’s friendly and feisty, youthful and charismatic.
“I love him to bits. He's just got a great personality,” she told the
Limerick Leader this Tuesday morning when we paid a visit to
Martinstown Stud. Lara explained how earlier in the day, while grooming
him, Istabraq picked up the brushes and threw them to the side in a
playful manner.
^[Istabraq pictured with the Limerick Leader's Limerick Live's Meghann
Scully]
In the evening, he comes inside after being in the field alongside his
good friend Gilgamboa (his last race and win was in Punchestown in
2018). He likes to inspect the barn, say hello to other horses and walk
to the feed room where he knows the stash of carrots are kept.
“It's great because I know how many people love him and have admired
him over the last 30 years,” Lara added after revealing he had fans
visiting from Germany, England and even America.
Throughout his glittering career over hurdles, with Charlie Swan on
board, Istabraq won the Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle in 1997 and
Punchestown Champion Hurdle in 1999.
Out of Sadlers Wells (sire) and Betty’s Secret (dam) he was bred for
the flat but was unsuccessful and in 1996 made his hurdling debut which
would see him go on to become one of the greatest horses over hurdles
this country has ever seen.
At the incredible age of 30 (he turns 31 on May 23) and having won 23
major races, this bay thoroughbred has been described as the “King of
the Yard”.
He commands attention when you enter the Champions Barn where Minella
Times, Buveur d'Air and the recently-crowned Irish Grand National
winner, I Am Maximus, are all stabled in the JP McManus-owned yard.
[Irish_Hotels_Federation_Midwest_Tourism_Ball_10-1681840151794.jpg--in_
pictures__mid_tourism_ball_returns_to_limerick_for_first_time_since_cov
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In Pictures: Mid-Tourism Ball returns to Limerick for first time since
Covid
The 400-acre stud which is nestled in the south Limerick countryside is
a place of rest and relaxation for many horses as well as those in
retirement.
During the summer, up to 200 horses will be back on site to relax and
unwind ahead of the next racing season, others will be visiting to
recover from injury. Throughout the course of their stay they will get
a full “MOT” with a dentist, farrier, vets and specialists all checking
on the condition of these superstars.
Julie O’Connell has been working in the five-star stud for a number of
years and the Knocklong native sees first-hand how effective “holiday
camp” is for the four-legged visitors between racing festivals.
“The night they come, they switch off and they get their tendons
checked and the dentist and then our vet comes up once a week, to check
them over. They go out the fields for a couple of weeks and they're
just different horses when they come back in, they know they're coming
back in for their job. They love it,” she added.
The Punchestown Racing Festival takes place from April 25-29.