Jp McManus-owned superstar horse Baracouda has passed away at the age of 28.
Handled magnificently well by Francois Doumen and ridden for the vast majority of his career by the trainer’s son, Thierry, Baracouda was seen more in the UK than France after his initial foray in at the turn of the millenium.
His British debut saw him beat Deano’s Beeno by 15 lengths in the Long Walk at Ascot – after which he was bought by JP McManus – and he followed up in the National Spirit at Fontwell.
READ MORE: JP McManus' retained rider in Cheltenham fitness race
Unfortunately he was denied his first Cheltenham Festival appearance by the foot and mouth disease so in March 2001 he had his last French outing, winning at Auteuil.
At the end of that campaign Baracouda did get to prove his worth at Sandown in a race which was effectively a replacement for the Stayers’ Hurdle.
The following season he won the Ascot Hurdle, another Long Walk, the Rendlesham and held off Bannow Bay in a thrilling Stayers’ Hurdle.
Denied a third Long Walk Hurdle in 2002 by a masterclass from Tony McCoy on old rival Deano’s Beeno, he nevertheless beat Iris’s Gift to land his second Cheltenham Festival win.
He was to win two more Long Walks, the latter at Windsor, but he could not quite add his list to those that won the Stayers’ Hurdle three times, finishing second to Iris’s Gift in 2004 and Inglis Drever in 2005, by which time McCoy had taken over in the saddle for the final five races of his career.
McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “He was a superstar. We were very lucky to have him, he gave us some great days and the Doumens did a great job with him.
“He was 28 and he was very healthy up until lately. He enjoyed his time in Martinstown (McManus’ stud in Ireland).
“I think he was one of the ones who put staying hurdling back on the map big time. It was a division that went under the radar, but he lit it up because he was coming over from France for the Long Walk every year and kept putting up big performances.
“It was unfortunate he missed his first Cheltenham because of foot and mouth, otherwise who knows, he may have won that too.”
READ NEXT:
Honeysuckle Cheltenham Festival call made following Irish Champion Hurdle second
Christian Atsu found alive after being 'trapped' in rubble after earthquake
Rory McIlroy mocks LIV rebels Patrick Reed and Phil Mickelson in Netflix series
James McClean plays for Wigan hours after birth of baby daughter as wife Erin hilariously reacts
Manchester City charged with numerous breaches of financial rules by Premier League
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
