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Baracouda
Baracouda (1995 – 9 February 2023) was a top staying hurdler for racehorse trainer François Doumen in the late 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century. Amongst his major successes, he won the Stayers Championship, the World Hurdle twice, as well as winning 10 consecutive races between November 2000 and November 2002. He holds the record for winning Ascot's Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle 4 times (one won at Windsor during Ascot redevelopment).
As Flat performer in France he was sent to trainer François Doumen after finishing 5th on hurdles at his debut at Auteuil. He would win three (including Grade 2) and finish second three times (including Grade 1) in his first half dozen starts for Doumen.
Next up was a visit to Britain where Doumen had been so synonymous with success down the years. As a 5 year old novice he went into Ascot's Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle in December against seasoned and top class staying hurdlers. He treated them with disdain winning by 14 lengths from favourite Deano's Beeno. Afterwards he and brilliant chaser First Gold were bought privately by Irish tycoon JP McManus for an undisclosed sum.
In his next start he gave weight and beat 9 rivals at Fontwell in the National Spirit Hurdle but his intended target of the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham wasn't to be with the Festival however he lost to foot and mouth.
Baracouda instead stayed home to win a Grade 3 at Auteuil before returning to the UK for a rescheduled and unofficial championship event at Sandown in April. Baracouda defeated 10 rivals with consummate ease although he idled in front to win by 3 lengths from Carlovent.
Baracouda returned to action the following Autumn defeating subsequent Champion Hurdler Hors La Loi III by 9 lengths in the Ascot Hurdle before winning his second Long Walk. In one of his high ranking performances he won the Grade 1 by 24 lengths.
In his Cheltenham warm up he somewhat scrambled home in a slowly run Rendlesham at Kempton before his first race at Cheltenham in the 2002 Stayers Hurdle.
Baracouda faced 15 rivals with Irish stayer, Bannow Bay. He was considered unbeatable by his connections the biggest rival. Racing dead last for most of the first circuit he slowly but surely picked his way through the field under Thierry Doumen. Turning for home it was evident that Bannow Bay and Baracouda were going far better than their rivals. Sensing his big rival in his rear view mirror Charlie Swan sent Bannow Bay on going to the last. Thierry Doumen tracked him and went second shortly before jumping it. Bannow Bay found the response he'd promised Swan yet Doumen brought Baracouda alongside halfway up the run in and despite only hands and heels urging he was able to coax him home by a neck from Bannow Bay; the pair 13 lengths clear of third It Takes Time.
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Baracouda
Baracouda (1995 – 9 February 2023) was a top staying hurdler for racehorse trainer François Doumen in the late 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century. Amongst his major successes, he won the Stayers Championship, the World Hurdle twice, as well as winning 10 consecutive races between November 2000 and November 2002. He holds the record for winning Ascot's Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle 4 times (one won at Windsor during Ascot redevelopment).
As Flat performer in France he was sent to trainer François Doumen after finishing 5th on hurdles at his debut at Auteuil. He would win three (including Grade 2) and finish second three times (including Grade 1) in his first half dozen starts for Doumen.
Next up was a visit to Britain where Doumen had been so synonymous with success down the years. As a 5 year old novice he went into Ascot's Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle in December against seasoned and top class staying hurdlers. He treated them with disdain winning by 14 lengths from favourite Deano's Beeno. Afterwards he and brilliant chaser First Gold were bought privately by Irish tycoon JP McManus for an undisclosed sum.
In his next start he gave weight and beat 9 rivals at Fontwell in the National Spirit Hurdle but his intended target of the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham wasn't to be with the Festival however he lost to foot and mouth.
Baracouda instead stayed home to win a Grade 3 at Auteuil before returning to the UK for a rescheduled and unofficial championship event at Sandown in April. Baracouda defeated 10 rivals with consummate ease although he idled in front to win by 3 lengths from Carlovent.
Baracouda returned to action the following Autumn defeating subsequent Champion Hurdler Hors La Loi III by 9 lengths in the Ascot Hurdle before winning his second Long Walk. In one of his high ranking performances he won the Grade 1 by 24 lengths.
In his Cheltenham warm up he somewhat scrambled home in a slowly run Rendlesham at Kempton before his first race at Cheltenham in the 2002 Stayers Hurdle.
Baracouda faced 15 rivals with Irish stayer, Bannow Bay. He was considered unbeatable by his connections the biggest rival. Racing dead last for most of the first circuit he slowly but surely picked his way through the field under Thierry Doumen. Turning for home it was evident that Bannow Bay and Baracouda were going far better than their rivals. Sensing his big rival in his rear view mirror Charlie Swan sent Bannow Bay on going to the last. Thierry Doumen tracked him and went second shortly before jumping it. Bannow Bay found the response he'd promised Swan yet Doumen brought Baracouda alongside halfway up the run in and despite only hands and heels urging he was able to coax him home by a neck from Bannow Bay; the pair 13 lengths clear of third It Takes Time.