'You always knew he was the best' - Istabraq and the Champion Hurdle hat-trick

Festival Legends: Istabraq

He wasn't quite 'Himself', but he wasn't far off. With a little less interference from sheep, he would have been the undisputed king of the Champion Hurdle, but that's just a detail. The point is Istabraq became a festival legend and remains a fabled Irish institution: of that there is no doubt.

The son of Sadler's Wells wore the two-mile hurdling crown for three years on the trot, which is a good foundation for legendary status, even if four other horses had already done the same. That he did so in the iconic green and gold hoops of JP McManus helped to cement his achievements in the public consciousness. The fact he was denied his crack at an unprecedented fourth title merely added intrigue to the tale, and his name is still spoken of in reverently hushed or madly joyous tones whenever the Tuesday of the festival comes around.

Istabraq arrived at Aidan O'Brien's yard as an interesting four year-old off the Flat, rated 83 after winning the Bogside Cup at Ayr under Pat Eddery in the silks of Hamdan Al Maktoum, the highlight of an 11-race career with John Gosden.