'People's champion' and legendary horse Limestone Lad dies aged 32 as tributes pour in for iconic runner | 5D09A3X | 2024-03-30 09:08:01
The long-lasting hurdler handed away at the grand previous age of 32 on the rural household farm in Eire the place he spent his entire life, surrounded by sheep an
RACING is in mourning after the demise of 'individuals's champion' and legendary racehorse Limestone Lad.
The long-lasting hurdler handed away at the grand previous age of 32 on the rural household farm in Eire the place he spent his entire life, surrounded by sheep and cattle.
Limestone Lad, who was bred, owned and educated by the Bowe household, famously beat three-time Champion Hurdle celebrity Istabraq in an unforgettable Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in 1999.
Istabraq, regarded by many as the greatest hurdler ever, was despatched off 1-7 but was downed 5 lengths by his 13-2 conqueror.
Limestone Lad gained 35 of his 65 career runs and amassed greater than £500,000 in prize money.
Revered ITV pundit Kevin Blake was among the many paying tribute.
He wrote: "Very sad to hear that Limestone Lad has passed away.
"What a powerful instance of what's potential in National Hunt racing he was.
"Bred, owned and educated by a small household operation and campaigned in such a gloriously swashbuckling approach. Commiserations to all of the Bowe family."
Initially tried at showjumping after being pulled from a racehorse auction over an irregular heartbeat, Limestone Lad was a famously sluggish learner.
But once he received the style of profitable – his first victory got here in his fifth race, a bumper at Limerick in December 1997 – he wouldn't stop.
Limestone Lad gained three Morgiana Hurdles, three Hatton's Grace Hurdles, a Champion Stayers' Hurdle and two Christmas Hurdles.
His ultimate ever race was within the Stayers' Hurdle at the 2003 Cheltenham Pageant, the place he completed fifth.
Assistant coach Michael Bowe stated afterwards: "He was truly devastated after the race.
"They know once they've been crushed and I've never seen him as put out. There was no consoling him. It took a couple of days for him to cheer up."
Limestone Lad was campaigned aggressively by his house owners – but they all the time insisted he simply liked racing.
The extra he raced, the happier he was and the extra he gained.
Hailed as a 'legend' by these remembering him at this time, Limestone Lad had an unimaginable bond with trainer James Bowe, who died in April 2009.
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