[ad_1]
Baracouda, a four-time Long Walk Hurdle winner and double Stayers’ Hurdle hero, has died aged 28.
Handled well by Francois Doumen and ridden for the majority of his career by the trainer’s son, Thierry, Baracouda was seen more in England than in France after his entry in 2000.
That first trip across the Channel saw him beat Deano’s Beeno by 15 lengths in the Long Walk at Ascot – after he was bought by JP McManus – and he followed the National spirit at Fontwell.
Baracouda and Thierry Doumen
Unfortunately, he was denied his first Cheltenham Festival appearance due to foot and mouth disease, so in March 2001 he played his last French game, winning at Auteuil.
Towards the end of the campaign, Baracouda proved his worth at Sandown in a race that effectively replaced the Stayers Hurdle.
The following season he won the Ascot Hurdle, another Long Walk, Rendlesham and retained Bannow Bay in the exciting Stayers Hurdle.
Defied the third Long Walk hurdle in 2002 by a masterclass from Tony McCoy on old rival Deano’s Beeno, he beat the Iris Prize to win twice at the Cheltenham Festival.
He would go on to win two more Long Walks, the latter at Windsor, but he was unable to add to his list of winners of the Stayers’ Hurdle three times, finishing second in the Iris Prize in 2004 and Inglis Drever in 2005, while McCoy. has taken over in the saddle for the last five races of his career.
McManus racing manager Frank Berry said: “He’s a superstar. Very lucky with him, he gave us some good days and Doumen did a great job with him.
“He’s 28 and he’s been very healthy until recently. He’s enjoying his time at Martinstown (McManus’ stud in Ireland).
“I think he’s one of those guys who has stayed back on the big-time map. It’s a division that’s under the radar, but he shines because he comes from France for the Long Walk every year and keeps putting in great performances.
“It’s a shame he missed his first Cheltenham because of foot and mouth, otherwise, who knows, he could have won.”
[ad_2]
Source link