Champion Hurdle Legends

Every long standing big race will have its legends, this particularly applies to the Champion Hurdle. It is a hard race to win once, but those who have won it twice are extremely special, but those who have won it three times are the true legends. Lest take a look at them:

• Hattons Grace - Won this race in 1949, 1950 and 1951. He was trained by the legendary trainer, Vincent O'Brien and ridden in his first two wins by Aubrey Brabazon. His third win, when he was 11 years old had jockey, Tim Molony on board, who not only rode the horse to become the first ever to win three in succession, but Molony then, for the next three years, rode Sir Ken to his hat trick of wins.
   
• Sir Ken - Winner in 1952, 1953 and 1954. Sir Ken was a huge crowd pleaser and became the second horse to do the hat trick. He provided jockey Tim Molony with his 2nd, 3rd and 4th wins in the race. Sir Ken is still regarded by many as the top post war Champion Hurdler. Sir Ken won his first 17 races over jumps, including his first two Champion Hurdle victories.
   
• Persian War - Winner in 1968, 1969 and 1970He was trained by Colin Davis and ridden by Jimmy Uttley in all of his wins. Persian War was an outstanding stayer with a blistering finish who had to carry extra weight to victory. His victory in 1970, prompted such elation that it nearly lifted the Cheltenham Festival roof off. He was also second in 1971 to Bula
   
• See You Then - Winner in 1985, 1986 and 1987. The Nicky Henderson and Steve Smith-Eccles combination paid off in three memorable races, where the brilliant trainer has to taek the credit for being able to run the horse at all. See You Then was a fragile horse, with weak forelegs and it is one of training's outstanding achievements to have got him to win three successive Champion Hurdles.
   
• Istabraq - Winner in 1998, 1999 and 2000 . If it was not for the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001, Istabraq would certainly have been the first four time winner. He was trained by Aiden O'Brien and ridden by Charlie Swan to all his three victories in the race. Istabraq was a sensation and will always be remembered for his first victory when he defeated the field by 12 lengths
   

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