Legendary horse Baracouda dies aged 28 – 20 years after winning one of the greatest races ever for JP McManus
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.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code P40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Virtual markets excluded. #ad begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
“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.
“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.”
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
