Horses for Sale
- Sunday, 03 May 2020 07:18
- Written by G Edwards
Sabin Du Loir
A real golden oldie today, 1979 born Sabin Du Loir who ran in the famous green and red silks of owner Brian Kilpatrick. He was French bred by sire Go Marching out of a mare called Star Light. He ran 57 times, won 23 races and was placed a further 21 times. His role of honour is quite remarkable and he probably would have got even more recognition had he not been around at the same time as Desert Orchid.
It is probably just easier to list his big race win rather than even right about them as I think it looks even more impressive! Hi career highlight including him winning the following races;
1983 Cheltenham Sun Alliance Novices Hurdle (Grade 1)
1987 Ascot Ellis, Son & Vidler Hurdle (Grade 2)
1989 Ascot Daniel Homes Novice Chase (Listed)
1990 Cheltenham Arlington Premier Chase (Final)
1990 Exeter Haldon Gold Cup (Grade 2)
1990 Haydock Newton Chase (Grade 1)
1991 Worcester Cavalier Chase (Grade 2)
1991 Wincanton Desert Orchid Chase (Grade 2)
1991 Exeter Haldon Gold Cup (Grade 2)
1991 Huntingdon Peterborough Chase (Grade 2)
Sabin Du Loir began life with Michael Dickinson and he won his first five ever starts which included the SunAlliance hurdle at Cheltenham and then a win at Liverpool afterwards with Graham Bradley on board who was in the saddle for three of the five wins in 1983.
He was not seen on the racecourse again until 1986 when then trained by DJG Murray Smith. His record was 1 win from five runs for this stable and he pulled up in the stayers hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
He joined the Pond House team in 1987 and made a winning debut at Ascot. He was then third in the Long Walk hurdle and second at Liverpool that season but it was in November 1998 that he really began to thrive. He won his first four races of that season, firstly a hurdle at Ascot before three very easy victories in novice chases. He then finished third in the Arkle behind Waterloo Boy.
After a summer holiday he returned the following season with three wins from six starts and he was fourth in the 1990 Queen Mother Champion chase behind Barnbrook Again.
The 1990/1991 season saw him return in the Haldon Gold Cup in November. He beat Desert Orchid by six lengths this day to win. He was second over hurdles in his next start before he was second in the 1990 Tingle Creek at Sandown. He was leading but fell at the 13th fence in the King George but returned with wins at Haydock and Worcester later that season.
He beat Desert Orchid once again on his return to action in October 1991 at Wincanton. He followed up with victories at Exeter and Huntingdon. Unfortunately the King George was not his lucky race and he was a faller once again at Kempton that Christmas.
After only getting on the track once in 1992 he returned from a year off at the age of 14 to win at Wincanton in January 1993. He was retired after this win and went to liver with Peter Scudamore. Rated 165 at best he won over £213,000 in prize money in an outstanding career.
Watch his win in the 1987 Ellis, Son & Vidler hurdle at Ascot here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRxGBbL7mRA
Watch his win in the 1988 Ascot hurdle here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRxGBbL7mRA
Watch his win in the 1990 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_JaDp-AVlM
Watch his win in the 1990 Arlington Premier Chase Series Final at Cheltenham here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZHj9XzbLMk
