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Under the shadow of the Rock of Cashel, in the heart of County Tipperary lies the setting for a story of epic proportions; it was here in the world-renowned Ballydoyle Stables that a fairytale was to be realized. In all sporting fields, champions come and go but only a few will stay in the memory.

National Hunt Racing would probably list the steeplechasers OLDEN MILLER, ARKLE, RED RUM and DESERT ORCHID as the "greats" of the sport for no hurdler has ever achieved such popular acclaim - until ISTABRAQ. The huge interest in his attempt to claim an unprecedented fourth Champion Hurdle in 2002 at Cheltenham was proof of the horse's enormous popularity on both sides of the Irish Sea.

His brilliant hurdling career dazzled the racing public and especially the Cheltenham Festival; he has also become a household name. To achieve such acclaim horses need a unique team behind them and in J. P. McManus, Aiden O'Brien and Charlie Swan, ISTABRAQ enjoyed the perfect Irish recipe of devotion, dedication and deliverance.

The statistics are staggering: ISTABRAQis the first National Hunt horse to win over $1 million pounds in prize money, winning 23 of his 29 starts including the Royal and Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle, three Smurfit Champion Hurdles and four AIG Champion Hurdles.

The following races are shown in their ENTIRETY for his legion of devoted followers except for the first race in which stretch run only is shown:

1) 1997 Rock Steady Securities HP Ayr
2) 1997 Royal and Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle
3) 1998 AIG Champion Hurdle, Leopardstown
4) 1998 Smurfit Champion Hurdle
5) 1998 Martell Aintree Hurdle
6) 1999 AIG Champion Hurdle, Leopardstown
7) 1999 Smurfit Champion Hurdle
8) 1999 Martell Aintree Hurdle
9) 1999 Hattons Grace Hurdle Fairyhouse
10) 2000 AIG Champion Hurdle, Leopardstown
11) 2000 Smurfit Champion Hurdle
12) 2001 AIG Champion Hurdle, Leopardstown
13) 2001 Shell Champion Hurdle
14) 2001 Tote December Festival Hurdle
15) 2002 Smurfit Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

With unprecedented access, exclusive interviews and rare archive footage, this is a compelling portrait of ISTABRAQ and the people who surrounded him. His imperious ability on the racecourse has made him the most dominant force in hurdling for 30 years and perhaps the greatest of all time.

This is the story of a champion racehorse told by those closest to him - their quest for greatness and ISTABRAQ's journey towards immortality and a story of brilliance which ultimately came to a dramatic but happy conclusion.

 

90 Minutes.

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