Cheltenham Festival memories can last a lifetime - just ask one long-suffering Harchibald backer
The recent death of Hardy Eustace brought a smile to my face. Rest assured, this was not in any way due to the loss of the great horse, whose performances alongside the likes of Macs Joy and Brave Inca (my favourite of the three) during that brilliant era of Irish hurdlers are etched in my memory, but because of the opportunity it presented.
Hardy Eustace’s most famous victory was arguably his second Champion Hurdle in 2005. This was not only due to the wonderful constitution and determination he showed but also the manner in which he triumphed over Harchibald.
Even now, I cannot believe Harchibald did not win and Paul Carberry waited quite that long before asking for an effort. It is, for me, one of the Cheltenham Festival’s most iconic finishes.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
- Never mind the price of the beer - kids go racing for nothing and that's worth a lot
- Bank holidays are in sad decline - why not let unloved Brigadier Gerard march to the rescue
- Is there a cure for the Derby? A dose of Epsom salts might get it moving again
- British Flat raiders restore a little sporting pride. It may be far-fetched, but can our jumpers do the same?
- 40 years on: memories of an era when winning at Epsom made a horse too valuable to race on
- Never mind the price of the beer - kids go racing for nothing and that's worth a lot
- Bank holidays are in sad decline - why not let unloved Brigadier Gerard march to the rescue
- Is there a cure for the Derby? A dose of Epsom salts might get it moving again
- British Flat raiders restore a little sporting pride. It may be far-fetched, but can our jumpers do the same?
- 40 years on: memories of an era when winning at Epsom made a horse too valuable to race on