Special Tiara
Special Tiara | |
---|---|
(2017) |
Special Tiara (31 March 2007 – 2 February 2019) was a British-bred, Irish-trained
Background
Special Tiara was a bay gelding with no white markings bred in England by his owner David Young. He was sent into training with Henry de Bromhead at Knockeen, County Waterford.
Special Tiara was sired by
Racing career
2011/2012 National Hunt season
Special Tiara began his racing career on the amateur Point-to-point circuit, finishing second at the Boulta meeting on 27 November 2011. He then moved to professional competition and was campaigned in novice hurdle races. He finished second at Killarney in May and Clonmel in June before recording his first success at Kilbeggan Racecourse in July, beating Tobar Na Gaoise by five lengths.[4]
2012/2013 National Hunt season
In the 2012/2013 season Special Tiara was campaigned in novice
2013/2014 National Hunt season
After unseating his rider on his seasonal debut Special Tiara finished third to Kid Cassidy in the
2014/2015 National Hunt season
Special Tiara was beaten at odds-on on his first two starts of the 2014/2015 season, finishing fifth in a hurdle at Cork and third in a steeplechase at Ballinrobe. After running fourth to Twinlight in the Fortria Chase at Navan Racecourse he was sent to England to contest the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park on 27 December. Ridden by Barry Geraghty he started the 5/1 third choice in the betting behind Balder Succes (Maghull Novices Chase) and Hinterland (Henry VIII Novices' Chase). He went to the front from the start as usual, built up a clear advantage and held on over the last two fences to win by two and a quarter lengths from Balder Succes.[7]
The gelding then made his second bid for the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March and improved on his 2014 effort as he finished third behind
2015/2016 National Hunt season
Special Tiara began his 2015/2016 campaign with a poor effort in the Fortria Chase, but returned to form at Sandown in December when he finished three quarters of a length second to Sire de Grugy in the Tingle Creek Chase after being hampered at the final fence.[9] Another attempt at the Queen Mother Champion Chase saw him finish third for the second consecutive year as he was beaten three and a half lengths and a nose by Sprinter Sacre and Un de Sceaux. On his only other run of the season he faded badly in the closing stages and came home last of the six finishers behind God' Own in the Punchestown Champion Chase.
2016/2017 National Hunt season
On his first appearance of the 2016/2017 season Special Tiara started favourite for the Cheltenham Chase but tired after the second last and finished a distant third behind Fox Norton and Simply Ned. The gelding was without a win in twenty months when he appeared at Kempton on 27 December and attempted to repeat his 2014 success in the Desert Orchid Chase and was made the 8/11 favourite. His task was made considerably easier when his chief rival in the betting, Sire de Grugy fell at the second fence. He led from the start and was never headed, holding off the sustained challenge of the Haldon Gold Cup winner Sir Valentino to win by half a length.[10]
In the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham on 28 January he led for ten fences but then tired and came home last of the six finishers behind Un de Sceaux. On 15 March 2017 Special Tiara lined up for the fourth time in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in which he was sent off at odds of 11/1 in a ten-runner field. His old rivals God's Own, Fox Norton, Don Valentino and Simply Ned were again in opposition but the overwhelming favourite was Douvan who went off at odds of 2/9 after winning his last fourteen races. After taking the lead at the second fence, Special Tiara, ridden by Fehily, established a clear advantage over the field and jumped the last two lengths in front. Fox Norton launched a strong challenge on the run-in but Special Tiara "held on gamely" and won by a head. There was a gap of six lengths back to Sir Valentino in third while Douvan finished lame in seventh.[11] After the race Fehily said "I got into a great rhythm down the back straight and my horse jumped better than he has ever done before. He’s a wonderful horse and deserved that because he’s been knocking on the door a few times. It’s difficult to make all in the Champion Chase, especially going at that speed, and you’re worried you’re a sitting target for something else. When I jumped the ditch at the top of the hill, I thought Douvan might come past me but I didn’t think anything else would".[12]
Pedigree
Sire Kayf Tara (GB) 1994 |
Sadler's Wells (USA) 1981 |
Northern Dancer | Nearctic |
---|---|---|---|
Natalma | |||
Fairy Bridge | Bold Reason | ||
Special | |||
Colorspin (GB) 1983 |
High Top | Derring-Do | |
Camenae | |||
Reprocolor | Jimmy Reppin | ||
Blue Queen | |||
Dam Special Choice (IRE) 2002 |
Bob Back (USA) 1981 |
Roberto | Hail To Reason |
Bramalea | |||
Toter Back | Carry Back | ||
Romantic Miss | |||
Mammy's Choice (IRE) 1990 |
Mandalus | Mandamus | |
Laminate | |||
Liffey's Choice | Little Buskins | ||
Nenagh Belle (Family 4-e)[3] |
References
- ^ a b "Special Tiara pedigree". Equineline.
- ^ "Kayf Tara - Stud Record". Racing Post.
- ^ a b "Fair Helen - Family 4-e". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.
- ^ "Follow Kilbeggan On Facebook Maiden Hurdle result". Timeform. 20 July 2012.
- ^ "Maghull Novices' Chase result". Timeform. 6 April 2013.
- ^ "Celebration Chase result". Timeform. 26 April 2014.
- ^ "Desert Orchid Chase result". Timeform. 27 December 2014.
- ^ "Celebration Chase result". Timeform. 25 April 2015.
- ^ "Tingle Creek Chase result". Timeform. 5 December 2015.
- ^ "Desert Orchid Chase result". Timeform. 27 December 2016.
- ^ "Queen Mother Champion Chase result". Timeform. 15 March 2017.
- ^ Greg Wood (15 March 2017). "Douvan found lame as Special Tiara wins Champion Chase at Cheltenham". The Guardian.
External links
- Career 1-2-3 Colour Chart – Special Tiara