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Won 18 of his 21 hurdle races; 16 grade 1s, now equal top with Kauto Star and John Henry. I don’t think the English have ever seen the best of him. Looked better than ever today, destroyed the field.
If winning poor Grade 1’s is your definition of "greatest ever", may be. How many top hurdlers down the years would’ve been capable of beating So Young 11 lengths? My guess quite a few. Rock On Ruby palpably did not run to form. HF is probably the best since Istabraq, no more.
Value Is EverythingHe’d certainly be capable of beating Persian War and Sea Pigeon over two miles. If that pair started at two-and-a-half.
Mike
Time to pay tribute to this amazing horse; an unrivalled blend of speed, agility and consistency. 17 Grade 1s, always ready to take on the best, never ducks a battle.
First time I saw him live was at Leopardstown, where he annihilated the subsequent Supreme Novices winner Go Native, putting 10 lengths into him after the final flight, and looked absolutely electric. Injury led to him missing a few festivals, and I think he hasn’t quite been at his best on trips to Britain. Congrats to Mullins and his staff for keeping hiom sweet for so long.
At 9 tho, he may be a bit past his peak, so the door is open for new challengers.Time to pay tribute to this amazing horse; an unrivalled blend of speed, agility and consistency. 17 Grade 1s, always ready to take on the best, never ducks a battle.
First time I saw him live was at Leopardstown, where he annihilated the subsequent Supreme Novices winner Go Native, putting 10 lengths into him after the final flight, and looked absolutely electric. Injury led to him missing a few festivals, and I think he hasn’t quite been at his best on trips to Britain. Congrats to Mullins and his staff for keeping hiom sweet for so long.
At 9 tho, he may be a bit past his peak,so the door is open for new challengers
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Thought not in Ireland it seems. A benefit race today that should have other Irish trainers feeling ashamed of themselves. Similar story last year.
A brilliant horse trained by a genius.
I just find races like todays embarrassing and would have liked to see a few more trainers throw some good horses at him. Not dissing the horse in any way, but it’s a bit like some boxers that get to the top by beating nothing in the process. I do agree that he is an amazing horse and training him must be a nightmare, but every race I’ve watched when he runs in Ireland looks exactly like the race today; the Groundhog Day of races.
It seems a while they had anything of real excitement at Tu Va Stabes.
Ireland misses that as much as Noel Meade it seems. Todays race was a joke of a Grade 1.
It’s unfortunate today’s farce resulted in Hurricane Fly breaking a record. Only "Grade 1" in name only. AP’s achievement all the more special with a special ride. The Fly would’ve got a lot more adulation with a top class performance. May even have lost today had the winning jockey’s sister not been on the second. Left it far too late. That said, it is unfair to judge Hurricane Fly on today’s race; just as it is unfair to judge others against him just because they did not win 17 Grade 1’s.
Hurricane Fly is an above average Champion Hurdler, has great attributes, genuine and consistent with a turn of foot. Certainly the best since Istabraq, but nowhere near the quality of some others over the years (including latter). "Greatest Hurdler Ever" would’ve beaten the likes of Peddlers Cross, Rock On Ruby, Zaidpour, Thousand Stars and even Solwhit by a lot further than he did. It’s a shame that he may go on the downgrade this term just when he gets some real competition. The New One, My Tent Or Yours, Our Connor and Jezki were all above average Champion Novices that have potential to give Hurricane Fly a race even if able to maintain his best. Who knows, added competition might spur him on to reach an even higher level. However, as his form stands now… Hurricane Fly would not be in my Top 10 "Greatest Ever" Hurdlers, let alone the "Greatest".
Value Is EverythingWho can blame trainers for ducking any hot favourite Mullins sends out? The man is dominating Irish racing in the way Arkle used to. At least a separate handicap could be set up for the big horse. Mullins’ Irish rivals will be cursing the fact that you cannot handicap trainers.
HF looked to have as much appetite for it today as ever. I can only assume he was nowhere near peak fitness. Even at his best, he’ll struggle to place in what promises to be the hottest Champion since the days of Night Nurse
I am sure that I am going against the grain here, but I don’t think Hurricane Fly is far (if at all) behind Istabraq.
Generally, people seem to crab Hurricane Fly for:
A. Being a little dependent on soft ground
B. Not beating muchWas Istabraq really any different? This was a horse who wheelspinned so badly on soft ground that Limestone Lad and Pridwell managed to turn him over.
And those great performances at Cheltenham…were there any champions trailing in Istabraq’s wake? Not really. Just Theatreworld, the ill-fated lump French Holly and default Champion Hurdle winner Hors La Loi III. Otherwise, Istabraq just scooped up 3-8 runner Grade 1s with most opposition running scared. Not too different from Hurricane Fly then!
In contrast, Hurricane Fly repeatedly tore apart Solwhit, who went on to come back from a long absence to dominate last year’s 2m 4f – 3m division. I think Hurricane Fly’s reputation suffers in comparison to Istabraq because he is a ruthless winner. Istabraq had human tragedy and Irish sentiment attached to his story, which probably makes fans look back with rose-tinted glasses.
Let’s forget the sentiments and look at these horses on the hard facts and figures. It is inescapable – Hurricane Fly is a
great
hurdler.
It’s unfortunate today’s farce resulted in Hurricane Fly breaking a record. Only "Grade 1" in name only. AP’s achievement all the more special with a special ride. The Fly would’ve got a lot more adulation with a top class performance. May even have lost today had the winning jockey’s sister not been on the second. Left it far too late. That said, it is unfair to judge Hurricane Fly on today’s race; just as it is unfair to judge others against him just because they did not win 17 Grade 1’s.
Hurricane Fly is an above average Champion Hurdler, has great attributes, genuine and consistent with a turn of foot. Certainly the best since Istabraq, but nowhere near the quality of some others over the years (including latter). "Greatest Hurdler Ever" would’ve beaten the likes of Peddlers Cross, Rock On Ruby, Zaidpour, Thousand Stars and even Solwhit by a lot further than he did. It’s a shame that he may go on the downgrade this term just when he gets some real competition. The New One, My Tent Or Yours, Our Connor and Jezki were all above average Champion Novices that have potential to give Hurricane Fly a race even if able to maintain his best. Who knows, added competition might spur him on to reach an even higher level. However, as his form stands now… Hurricane Fly would not be in my Top 10 "Greatest Ever" Hurdlers, let alone the "Greatest".
Istabraq’s bare form, beating Theatreworld in Champion Hurdles would also not read too well. Every great horse can be crabbed by horses that finished close behind. The Fly has beaten all the contenders comfortably time after time, including Quevega, who in another era would have been a Champion Hurdler. Even the so-called Golden Age of Hurlers, they beat other regualrly.
What more does a Champion have to do? Name me a hurdler who would have beaten him, apart from possibly IstabraqWith 15k for second, amazing that no British trainers were tempted to get involved.
A joke of a G1 and could have been quite close if Marito had pinged the last.
With 15k for second, amazing that no British trainers were tempted to get involved.
A joke of a G1 and could have been quite close if Marito had pinged the last.
This due to The Fly’s reputation as unbeatable. The same thing will happen with Sprinter Sacre this year.
"Even at his best, he’ll struggle to place in what promises to be the hottest Champion since the days of Night Nurse."
Not having that one bit.
It’s unfortunate today’s farce resulted in Hurricane Fly breaking a record. Only "Grade 1" in name only. AP’s achievement all the more special with a special ride. The Fly would’ve got a lot more adulation with a top class performance. May even have lost today had the winning jockey’s sister not been on the second. Left it far too late. That said, it is unfair to judge Hurricane Fly on today’s race; just as it is unfair to judge others against him just because they did not win 17 Grade 1’s.
Hurricane Fly is an above average Champion Hurdler, has great attributes, genuine and consistent with a turn of foot. Certainly the best since Istabraq, but nowhere near the quality of some others over the years (including latter). "Greatest Hurdler Ever" would’ve beaten the likes of Peddlers Cross, Rock On Ruby, Zaidpour, Thousand Stars and even Solwhit by a lot further than he did. It’s a shame that he may go on the downgrade this term just when he gets some real competition. The New One, My Tent Or Yours, Our Connor and Jezki were all above average Champion Novices that have potential to give Hurricane Fly a race even if able to maintain his best. Who knows, added competition might spur him on to reach an even higher level. However, as his form stands now… Hurricane Fly would not be in my Top 10 "Greatest Ever" Hurdlers, let alone the "Greatest".
Istabraq’s bare form, beating Theatreworld in Champion Hurdles would also not read too well. Every great horse can be crabbed by horses that finished close behind. The Fly has beaten all the contenders comfortably time after time, including Quevega, who in another era would have been a Champion Hurdler. Even the so-called Golden Age of Hurlers, they beat other regualrly.
What more does a Champion have to do? Name me a hurdler who would have beaten him, apart from possibly IstabraqBe fair befair,
You did say "Greatest Hurdler EVER".
"Ever" means of all time.
Had you said "one of the Greatest Hurdlers ever", or "Greatest 2 mile hurdler of the last decade" – I could’ve agreed with you. Hence why I commented "certainly the best since Istabraq".The race that shows just how good Istabraq was is the 98 Champion Hurdle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dKQW7KP8go
Some may not believe Theatreworld much good. It’s true he never won much and imo poorly campaigned, given some difficult tasks under massive weights in handicaps. Connections seemed only interested in finishing 2nd (three times) in a Champion. But was a Cheltenham specialist – so may be we should forgive AOB. By no means an outstanding Second, Hurricane Fly beat better horses to win his two Champions, however winning distances more than made up for it. There’s plenty of room to fit other good horses between Istabraq and Theatreworld. And didn’t just beat his stable companion, he annihilated him. Theatreworld had already finished runner-up in a Champion Hurdle before Istabraq came along. Beaten 5 lengths by Make A Stand in 97; beaten 12 lengths without Istabraq coming under serious presure and eased down/Swan celebrating before the line – value for quite a bit more. In other races he’d won barely coming off the bridle, winning margins not telling the whole story.
I myself would not rank Istabraq quite as highly as Timeform’s 180 (compared to Hurricane Fly’s 173). May be something like 177.
"What more does a Champion have to do? Name me a hurdler who would have beaten him, apart from possibly Istabraq"
Well, "the Golden Era" – Monksfield, Night Nurse, Sea Pigeon, Golden Cygnet, Persian War, Comedy Of Errors, Lanzarote, Bula. There’s the Staying Hudlers – Of this generation – Big Buck’s, even Baracouda and Limestone Lad.
There are many horses the "What more does a Champion have to do"? line can be used on. Why do you believe Hurricane Fly / what performances do you believe Hurricane Fly put up – to be regarded as the "Greatest Ever Hurdler" befair? Why should he be regarded above those above in the "Greatest Ever" Stakes?
Value Is EverythingWith 15k for second, amazing that no British trainers were tempted to get involved.
A joke of a G1 and could have been quite close if Marito had pinged the last.
This due to The Fly’s reputation as unbeatable. The same thing will happen with Sprinter Sacre this year.
Wrong befair, "due to" plenty of other races for British trainers to go for at home. Suspect the top two British challengers will split, My Tent Or Yours going to the Fighting Fifth and The New One for the International (Bula). Before a clash at Kempton.
Our Connor wasn’t ready and Jezki met with a late setback. Otherwise both those Irish contenders would’ve beaten The Fly on his Sunday performance. Well below his best.
Value Is Everything
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