Trainer mourns passing of ‘favourite horse of all time’ Harchibald, aged 25

15 May 2024 , 09:23

569     0

Paul Carberry on Harchilbald (left), who has died at the age of 25 (Image: PA)

One of the most talented yet frustrating jumpers of his generation has died at the age of 25.

Harchibald, who was trained by Noel Meade, won five Grade 1 hurdles and more than £500,000 during a 48 race career. His late finishing running style, in tandem with Paul Carberry, was never better demonstrated when Harchibald was delivered with sublime timing to reel in Rooster Booster in the 2004 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Yet he will forever be remembered for a race they didn’t win, the Champion Hurdle at the 2005 Cheltenham Festival. Carberry sat motionless up the run-in but ultimately lost the battle with Hardy Eustace, going down by a neck with Brave Inca the same distance away in third.

For all his faults Harchibald become a huge fan favourite and earned a heartfelt tribute from Meade in a post on X.

"Hail the King, our King is dead....Harchi was my favourite horse of all time," he said. "I know on occasions he annoyed people and for sure he annoyed me but we had great days together, Paul Carberry, Harchi & myself. Never to be forgotten & I'd like to thank Johnny & Danielle Hurley for looking after him so well in his retirement. He became part of the family with them. R.I.P. old friend".

Willie Mullins bags a Naas treble despite flop of £430,000 star

Harchibald's wins included two victories in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and two in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle. He also landed the John James McManus Memorial Hurdle at Tipperary.

Fans posted their own memories with one saying: “If racing had a rogues gallery and one for great artists I’d rather see Harchibald in the latter.

“The genius who cut off his own ear in the Champion Hurdle.” Another wrote, “It was a brilliant era and I’m so glad i got to witness it. RIP Harchibald, loved him and Paul was always so beautiful to watch ride.”

Jon Lees