Introduction
Stylishly named and supremely successful, Dawn Run is a horse with an incredible reputation for a blitzing run of victories and form in the 1980s. a powerful Irish mare, Dawn Run was bred by John Riordan and owned by Charmian Hill. Trained by Paddy Mullins, too, it went on to take an incredible 21 wins across 35 races. The most successful mare in the history of National Hunt racing, Dawn Run is a true legend of the sport.
As winner of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 1984, it also claimed the Gold Cup in 1986. It was also the only horse to win both the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle as a double. Indeed, she was only the second mare in history to win the Champion Hurdle, and won of just four to have lifted the Gold Cup, too.
A stellar career was completed by the fact that she took part in English, Irish and French Champion Hurdle treble, too. Such incredible achievements show just why, for many, Dawn Run is one of the favoured horses in recent history.
Career Summary
Dawn Run was a horse with an incredible career history in flat, hurdle and steeplechase racing. Sadly, the steeplechasing racing began to have major problems for Dawn Run; injured after its first race (which it won), Dawn Run began to suffer from more regular mistakes and injury. Sadly, the horse died at the French Chammpion Hurdle. Michel Chirol was the jockey for the day, and it fell at one of the back straight hurdles, and never managed to get up – it had broken its neck.
Its death was front page news on the Irish Times, with a statue placed alongside the parade ring at Cheltenham to mark an exemplary life.
Achievements & Highlights
Wins – Ascot Hurdle (1983), Christmas Hurdle (1983), Irish Champion Hurdle (1984), Champion Hurdle (1984), Aintree Hurdle (1984), French Champion Hurdle (1984), Durkan Brothers Chase (1985), Cheltenham Gold Cup (1986).
Associations – John Riordan, Paddy Mullins, Charmian Hill.
Earnings – ?