Iconic racehorse Istabraq dies at the home of owner JP McManus aged 32 after legendary career which peaked with four consecutive wins at Cheltenham

Istabraq, the greatest horse to jump a hurdle and an iconic figure in racing, has died at the home of his owner JP McManus. He reached the remarkable age of 32.

Having started out on the flat when trained by John Gosden, Istabraq was bought by McManus for £38,000 and went into training with Aidan O'Brien, who sculpted a career for the gelding in the National Hunt sphere that almost defied belief.

The pinnacle of his achievements were four consecutive wins at the Cheltenham Festival, starting with the 1997 Royal & Sun Alliance Hurdle before he rattled off three spectacular victories in the Champion Hurdle from 1998 to 2000.

Only the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001 – which caused the Festival to be abandoned – prevented Istabraq from becoming the only horse to win hurdling's blue riband event in four consecutive years.

His jockey Charlie Swan – who rode Istabraq in all 29 of his hurdle races, winning 23 (14 of which were Grade One events) – told Mail Sport for a special feature in March that he was adamant he would have made history in 2001 as there was not another horse around like him.

Istabraq was retired after sustaining a small injury in the 2002 Champion Hurdle and he spent the last 22 years at McManus's 610-acre stud in County Limerick, where he was dotted on. 

If McManus had been away on a business trip, the first thing he would do on his return – no matter what time of day – would be to go in and see his old friend.

Many famous faces came to visit Istabraq – whose 32nd birthday in May was marked by his stable lass Lara Hegarty baking a special cake for him consisting of carrots, apples and horse feed – in retirement including golfers Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry, as well as the actor Bill Murray.

For Istabraq was one of those special horses who transcended not just the racing section of a paper but was able to put himself at the top of TV news bulletins. 

Such was the depth of feeling for him in Ireland, he was immortalised in the biggest equine painting in Europe, which is in Terminal 2 of Dublin Airport.

Paying tribute to Istabraq, who fell asleep for the last time at 1.15am on Thursday morning, McManus said: 'He was a very special horse who gave us many great days of fun and enjoyment. 

'Our thanks to Lara Hegarty, Johnny O'Brien and all the staff at Martinstown who took such fantastic care of him over many years. 

'We are pleased that we gave him a good celebration for his most recent birthday in May. 

'He leaves (my wife) Noreen, myself and the family with wonderful memories.'