A
rare record graced Bob's Worth's glistering gaming career after
winning the extensively coveted Gold Cup 2013 title. The unassailable
champion became the very first racing star to bag a consecutive
string of three Cheltenham wins since the unbeatable Flyingbolt in
the 1960s. It was such a thrilling moment - as the helplessly ecstatic multitudes roared their deafening cheers, and as the victory-smelling trailblazer gained momentum to pass Sir Des Champs
and Long Run close to the final fence, with adequate tenacity still
left to outdistance the two rivals by a whopping 7 lengths. Just as
the proud rider remarked, the indefatigable winner proved to be such
a truly brave and professional horse - an outstanding gold medalist
of real unparalleled repute.
It
was such an immensely happy moment for trainer Nicky Henderson as his
horse came out as the overall best in a widely viewed Betfred
Cheltenham Gold Cup, with an equally successful stablemate Long Run
emerging third in the same globally famous mete. This godsend
breakthrough came even as the remarkably celebrated gamer was marking
his 50th year of unparalleled racing stardom. The internationally
revered training maverick praised Barry Geraghty ever so profusely
for having patiently but skillfully ridden the star-studded victor to
such a breathtaking record-breaking finish.
The decisive performance was, however, a near miracle, according to a
tearfully delighted Geraghty who confessed to having sensed a possible
decline in his mount mid-way the course. In fact, the successful
showing was attributable to his skillful management of the winner's
apparently diminished energy throughout the colorful sprint, the
title-emboldened rider said, amid cheers from thousands of
congratulating fans.
Held
on 15 March 2013, this was the 85th annual running of the Cheltenham
Gold Cup horse race. Just as the name already tellingly suggests, the
electrifying event was held at Cheltenham Racecourse, an enduring
tradition that has continued for numerous years ever since the
decade-old yearly function's first staging. It featured a total of
nine horses - out of whom the 11/4 favorite Bobs Worth emerged the overall winner. The second and third places were grabbed by Sir
Des Champs and Long Run(also trained by Henderson) respectively. The
outstandingly colorful tournament was broadcast on channel 4
throughout the UK and Ireland.
Foaled
on 21st May in 2005, the Irish-bred but British-trained racehorse is
now considered to be among the most gifted thoroughbreds in the
entire annals of English equestrian gaming fraternity. Having also
emerged top in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle in 2011, the newly
crowned champion is an indisputably formidable figure throughout
Europe and beyond. Additionally, the gallant star outdid several
other equally endowed runners to attain gold in the RSA Chase in
2012, thus making him the first-ever lucky mount since Flyingbolt in
the 1960s to clinch three different races of intercontinental
interest. The star-decorated sensation also bagged the globally famed
Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury within the same racing period. Although
he was painstakingly trained by the now-doubly-happy Nicky Henderson,
Bobs Worth still remains under the proud ownership of the Not Afraid
Partnership.
The
legendary winner began his racing career during the 2009/10 sporting
phase, the National Hunt season. Participating in two notable meets,
he grabbed the top position in one while emerging second in the
other, both at Kempton Park. The gold-seeking sporting icon followed
this up with a deserved victory at Cheltenham. Ridden by this very
capably seasoned jockey - Barry Geraghty - the naturally lucky horse
went ahead to win a two and a half hurdle tournament at Cheltenham,
at the same venue where he made history on 15th March 2013.
Already
emboldened by the yesteryear's commendable performances in various
racetrack events, the intensely admired 11/4 favorite entered the
heavily contested Cheltenham Gold Cup tournament. According to the
unanimous views expressed by some respected commentators and
equestrian sporting pundits, Bobs Worth appeared quite unlikely to
beat other tough-fighting racing giants since he looked somehow
hampered at the third fence - still an estimated 8 lengths behind
Long Run. While the actual gallops and magical hops that actually
followed after this clearly unfavorable juncture remain subject the
varying opinions and conjectures of keen spectators, it was extremely
unbelievable for all to finally see Geraghty outdistance Sir Des
Champs by a whole 7 lengths to earn a third consecutive Cheltenham
title.
A
bay gelding bred and nurtured by Mrs. L Eadie, Bobs Worth's dam was
dubbed Fashionista - a daughter of George VI favorite champion King's
Theatre. The internationally recognized champ is also closely related
to Burton Port and Bob Back - both spectacularly talented
participants in various top-cadre tourneys such as Epsom Derby and
Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Again, the 2013 title winner is also a close
relative of Roberto - the extensively remembered earner of 1972
Epsom Derby championships. Going by the foregoing genealogical
highlights, it seems abundantly clear that the experienced gamer has
in their most innate genetic canyons all it takes to outrun even the
most unforgiving of his racecourse competitors.
Unlike
other racers that slump into near oblivion after a glimmering
sporting bout, Bobs Worth has continued to post extraordinarily
colorful results after his 2015 Cheltenham breathtaking feat. For
instance, the timeless hero struck a rare seasonal debut in the
Betfair Chase - held at Haycock Park Racecourse in November, the same
year. Starting as a 15/8 favorite in a particularly tough contest
featuring longstanding luminaries such as Silviniaco Conti, Tidal
Bay, and Long Run. However, the already world-lauded star was not in
his best form. Consequently, Geraghty eased him down and maintained a
comparatively moderate speed, eventually finishing sixth. At this
placement, the remarkably unfit Bobs stood a total of 40 lengths behind
Cue Card - the title-clinching horse.
Bob's
steadily shining gaming skill remained inextinguishable even
throughout the 2015/16 racing season. Specifically, the sensational
runner enjoyed a successful start of his novel campaign in the
Betfred Hurdle on 7th November 2015, effectively reestablishing his
diminished standings after being expelled as the outsider of 5 runner
field. This laudable achievement was Bob's first participation in hurdles meet after a show-stopping victory at the 2011 Cheltenham
Festival. What's even more enthrallingly commendable is the fact that
the brave sporting idol remained unbeaten until he came third during
the World Hurdle at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival.
