Inglis Drever - R.I.P.

Sizzler

http://www.irishracing.com/v5newsitem?prid=40554

wrote:

Racing is mourning a jumps legend after three-time World Hurdle hero Inglis Drever died on Friday morning.

The Howard Johnson-trained 10-year-old, who retired from racing in January, had to be put down after suffering a fatal bout of colic.


Johnson said: "They took him away yesterday and from what I can understand they couldn't do anything with him.


"Graham (Wylie, owner) rung me yesterday morning to say he was thrashing on the ground so they got the vets up there to look at him and they rushed him straight in (for surgery).


"They put him on a drip overnight and they rang Mr Wylie back this morning to say his heart rate was over 70 and it should be 33, so they have had to put him down on humane grounds."


Inglis Drever had been spending his retirement at Wylie's Chesters Stud at Humshaugh, Hexham


Johnson added: "Without a doubt he'd be number one when it comes to horses I've trained.


"He went to Graham's for a good retirement - it is just one of those things."


Inglis Drever made history at the Cheltenham Festival last March when he became the first horse to win the World Hurdle three times.


His indomitable spirit and appetite for a scrap made him one of the most popular National Hunt horses in training.


The brilliant gelding signed off with 17 wins - 12 of which came at Graded level - from 35 starts and amassed nearly £800,000 in prize-money.


Plans for Inglis Drever to return to Cheltenham this March were scrapped after he failed to recover from an injury sustained at Newbury last November.


Inglis Drever began his career on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott, for whom he won four races.


He was transferred to Johnson's yard in 2003, when he made a winning debut for his new team in November.


Although the star hurdler will be best remembered for his exploits at Cheltenham, he also won the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury three times (2005-07) - in addition to big-race triumphs at Sandown, Warwick, Wincanton, Haydock and Wetherby.


Johnson said: "He's been a fantastic servant to me and the yard and has kept me going since we bought him off Sir Mark.


"He won three World Hurdles and was the first horse to win the Order of Merit.


"You could always tell when he was right and he was a peach to train.


"He wouldn't hurt a butterfly and you always knew he would come up hills because as soon as he saw our hills at home he used to fly.


"It's very upsetting and I've said to Mr Wylie that we'll get him cremated and get him back into what I call the 'Millionaire's Field' in front of our house.


"He used to love it in there, and spent his summers in there every year since he arrived, so I think we should bury his ashes in there."


Another endearing quality in the constitution of Inglis Drever was his tendency to hit a flat spot in his races - as evidenced by his World Hurdle victories in 2005 and 2007.


There was no sign of that trademark quirk at Prestbury Park last March, however, as he powered up the hill to record a no-nonsense verdict over Kasbah Bliss.


Defeat at Aintree - never his happiest hunting ground - followed last April, after which he was sent to Newbury for his seasonal debut.


But Denis O'Regan's mount suffered a hock injury and was pulled up after four out.


Although there were hopes he had made a full recovery, Johnson realised the game was up in January.


O'Regan was understandably stunned by the news.


The jockey was in the saddle when the horse won his third Ladbrokes World Hurdle and described him as the best horse he will ever ride.


"It's shocking news. I won the World Hurdle on him and the Long Distance Hurdle as well," he said.


"He was a lovely horse and it's a shame.


"He was a top-class hurdler and it's a shame he's died so young, but he's a horse that will stick in the memory for a long time.


"He's the best horse I've ridden and will probably be the best horse I'll ever ride.


"He's brought my career to the fore and it's a sad ending to a great career for that horse."


Graham Lee's association with the horse lasted from November 2003 to December 2005.


Their seven victories included a first World Hurdle in 2005 when the pair dethroned the French champion Baracouda.


Lee said: "When you are a jockey you want to have big rides in big races and he was a very, very good horse.


"It was a privilege to ride him."

mr.jingle

I'll never forget that third world hurdle an absolute warrior of a horse never knew when it was beaten and tried his heart out up that hill everytime. Remember the girl that looked after him she was great craic the day of his 3rd win they done half the Channel4 show on the 2 of them that day!!! Whats that coming up the hill, its Inglis Drever, its Inglis Dreeeeeeever..........R.I.P

Whyno

One of my most favourite racehorses.I truly loved his iron will and his massive engine.He always loved a right scrap.
R.I.P To a True Warrior...Inglis Drever

Colonel Sanders

One of my favourite horses of all time

R.I.P

Cabinteely

rip

franny1

RIP