2015 broodmare of the year and dam of Many Clouds dies aged 23

Bobbing Back, the dam of much-missed Grand National hero Many Clouds, has died at the age of 23, with owner Aidan Aherne hailing the daughter of Bob Back as a "dream mare" to be associated with.

She was also the dam of dual Grade 1 scorer The Tullow Tank, who won fives times for owner Barry Connell.

Bobbing Back was acknowledged as 2015 broodmare of the year at the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s National Breeding and Racing Awards, the same year as Many Clouds’ remarkable Aintree success for Oliver Sherwood, Leighton Aspell and Trevor Hemmings.

"She’s been a dream mare who has given us great memories," said Aherne, breeder of Many Clouds and The Tullow Tank from Windward House Stud in Midleton, County Cork.

"Many Clouds was an extremely popular horse, jumps horse of the year in 2015, and we can look forward to breeding from two of Bobbing Back’s daughters over the coming years."

The valuable broodmare’s most recent offspring to go through the sales ring was Oscar Clouds, who has shown some promise in novice hurdles for Keith Dalgleish.

Having initially changed hands for just £2,800 as a foal, bought by Yellowford Stud’s Frank Motherway in November 1997, Bobbing Back failed to set the world alight in three starts under rules in Ireland for trainer Pat Verling.

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