Istabraq (born 23rd May 1992) is one of the greatest hurdlers of all time. He won at the Cheltenham Festival for 4 consecutive years including 3 Champion Hurdle victories. Only the cancellation of the 2001 Cheltenham Festival due to the Foot and Mouth disease denied him his 4th Champion Hurdle and 5th festival victory. He was trained by Aidan O'Brien and owned by legendary gambler John Patrick McManus. Jockey Charlie Swan rode him in all of his 29 races over jumps. 

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Istabraq began his career on the flat trained by John Gosden. He was bred to win a Derby but was only a modest performer on the flat, winning 2 times from 11 starts compared to winning 23 times from 29 starts over hurdles.

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Pedigree

Sire: Sadler's Wells

Dam: Betty's Secret

Damsire: Secretariat

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Flat placings: 8/082121020/2/

Jumps placings: 211111/111112/1111111/12111/F1F/1P/

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Win and place prize money: £1,053,385