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Disappointing to see Quevega lose in Ireland today, but in my view the race looked very steadily run and all the horses seemed to get in each others way in the closing stages. Equally sad news from the trainer that this will probably be the last time we see Quevega as the horse will be going to stud, however I will always remember her emotional wins in the same race at the Cheltenham Festival which I’m sure will never be equalled.
Today’s race was an astonishing affair. On paper, Jetson had no right winning a Grade One so I can not blame Ruby for thinking that he would come back to the field. A fantastic ride from Davy Russell but Quevega emerged today the moral victress.
Overall, I have always held Quevega in mixed regard for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that she was a very, very unique creature and she will be leaving a gaping hole in the racing calender which is unlikely to ever be filled again. So she will be missed more and more as time goes on.
Huge credit goes to her connections for keeping her going for so long. Whilst it could be argued that their sporting nature was restrained insofar as the calender was concerned, their love for the sport and the horse’s best interests are inscrutable.
I hope she enjoys a joyous fulfilment of her womanhood before settling into a peaceful and well deserved pension.
Here, here to all above.
Enjoy your time in retirement Quevega and produce many little Champions just like yourself.
Cheltenham just won’t be the same next year, thanks for all the wonderful memories.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...It is a great shame Quevega did not need to take on genuinely top class animals at Cheltenham. If the Mares Hurdle existed when Flakey Dove was around I am certain she would not have run/won the Champion Hurdle. Ditto Dawn Run, indeed we would probably not have witnessed one of Cheltenham’s most evocative Gold Cup’s either.
Quevega was top class, admirably genuine outstandingly consistent mare. It’s not her fault the race is there and had I been her owner/trainer I’d have run in the race too. However, when you consider how good some multiple Cheltenham winners have been… she does not deserve the accolade of winning the same Cheltenham Festival race 6 times. Never neededing to run to her very best in any Cheltenham victory. There will be other multiple Mares Hurdle winners; as it is so uncompetitive that a top class mare can run well below form and still win.
Quevega is hardly unique and her ability has been exaggerated purely because of that Cheltenham record. Look no further than her own stable for an equally amazing mare as a ready replacement, Annie Power.
Thank you Quevega and happy retirement/motherhood; shame about the race programmers.
Value Is EverythingHer raw ability in and of itself was far from unique. Rather it was her idiosyncratic programme that made such a rare incongruity.
She could well have raced five or six times per season and been thoroughly exposed. But then she would have been another Voler La Vedette (arguably more talented than Quevega but considerably less memorable).
I agree that it is a shame we never saw the best of Quevega but her purpose was to fulfil the romantic idealism of a horse who won the same race six years on the bounce. An idealism which, in the modern era, is utterly unique.
Perhaps it is was an inevitable consequence of foisting such a winnable "championship" on the festival menu and if in time, another mare wins that race six times, our scepticism will be vindicated.
In fairness to the connections, they (like any self respecting form connoisseur) were aware of Quevega’s limitations and made no secret of their intent, hence their perpetual ducking of Big Buck’s. Nevertheless, she could only beat whoever challenged her at Cheltenham and Punchestown.
Nobody can put her up there with the likes of Dawn Run, Flakey Dove or even Mysilv and even in this generation, Annie Power is almost certainly her superior. However, she has her own particular place in the record books and she has earned it.
However, she has her own particular place in the record books and she has deserved it.
I agree with almost all of your post BH. But although I can agree Quevega
deserves
"her own particular place in the record books"
… It’s just that imo she does
not
deserve to have won a Cheltenham Festival race 6 times; when you consider e.g. the ability of such as 5 times winner Golden Miller.
Value Is EverythingI actually think we may be able to agree to agree on this one.
One would like to imagine that anybody with an interest in records would be able to measure the value of five Gold Cups against six Mares’ Hurdles. Furthermore, one can also argue that Arkle’s three Gold Cups trump Golden Miller’s five as the latter’s achievement occurred whilst the Gold Cup was still a Grand National trial. In this instance, it’s a matter of Golden Miller’s longevity over Arkle’s.
Such is the beauty of history.
Whilst the respective merits of Golden Miller, Arkle and Quevega are somewhat disparate, their inclusion in retrospective contemplation is well founded.
Her raw ability in and of itself was far from unique. Rather it was her idiosyncratic programme that made such a rare incongruity.
She could well have raced five or six times per season and been thoroughly exposed. But then she would have been another Voler La Vedette (arguably more talented than Quevega but considerably less memorable).
I agree that it is a shame we never saw the best of Quevega but her purpose was to fulfil the romantic idealism of a horse who won the same race six years on the bounce. An idealism which, in the modern era, is utterly unique.
Perhaps it is was an inevitable consequence of foisting such a winnable "championship" on the festival menu and if in time, another mare wins that race six times, our scepticism will be vindicated.
In fairness to the connections, they (like any self respecting form connoisseur) were aware of Quevega’s limitations and made no secret of their intent, hence their perpetual ducking of Big Buck’s. Nevertheless, she could only beat whoever challenged her at Cheltenham and Punchestown.
Nobody can put her up there with the likes of Dawn Run, Flakey Dove or even Mysilv and even in this generation, Annie Power is almost certainly her superior. However, she has her own particular place in the record books and she has earned it.
I agree she is well below Dawn Run, but must point out that Big Bucks also ducked Punchestown every year, and Quevega was overtly superior to Voler la Vedette
Also agree the mares race is a part of the travesty of the extra day at the festival. If 3 mile hurdling is division 4 of NH racing Mares races is division 5
I never thought that Tidal Bay, Big Buck’s, Sizing Europe (perhaps) and Quevega would be all retired this season. I have no idea which one I will miss the most.
Now I wonder what might happen if the Fly doesn’t win today…Also agree the mares race is a part of the travesty of the extra day at the festival. If 3 mile hurdling is division 4 of NH racing Mares races is division 5
I used to think this but on reflection, the separation of the sexes is a big far of the flat game so surely its a bit strange have a problem with it in National Hunt?
The first three home in the Mares race at Cheltenham this year were all pretty smart and I think on the whole, added to the festival for me although I do agree that it has been a weak race in the past (Quevega aside).
On a personal note, I find it hard to warm to horses who run twice a year. Give me a Sizing Europe any day. No doubt about her credentials to being called a great mare though.
SHL
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