Two-time Champion Hurdler Hurricane Fly has passed away at the age of 22.
The legendary National Hunt star set an extraordinary standard for consistency at the highest level. In all, he won 26 of his 42 races, with an astonishing 22 of those coming at the highest level. That tally of 22 Grade 1 victories is a record either side of the Irish Sea.
The son of Montjeu began life as a flat horse when trained in France. He secured Listed honours as a three-year-old, but was sent to Willie Mullins in the spring of 2008 from which he and connections never looked back.
He secured a trio of Grade 1 prizes as a novice hurdler before embarking on a career which saw him take in five successive Champion Hurdles. Hurricane Fly won two of those, in 2011 and 2013, famously regaining the crown at Prestbury Park having finished second to Rock On Ruby in 2012. He placed again in the 2015 edition, finishing third to stablemate Faugheen as an 11-year-old.
His retirement was confirmed two starts later, with him enjoying over a decade among the Living Legends at the National Stud in Ireland.
“He was awesome, one of the biggest legends ever” – Mullins
Mullins has paid tribute to a horse who epitomises the yard’s success, but before they became an all-conquering powerhouse.
As quoted in the Sporting Life, Mullins said: “He won a record-breaking 22 Grade One races, which was remarkable. He’s one of the greatest horses to ever come through our stable. He was a horse who loved a battle and was so brave. Ruby was able to stand back anywhere on him and he’d answer. He just put his rivals into trouble. He was such a proper horse.
“He was awesome, one of the biggest legends ever to come through Closutton.
“I want to say my personal thanks to Leona Harman at the National Stud who does such a wonderful job looking after the Living Legends who are retired there. My thoughts are with Gail Carlisle who was Hurricane Fly’s groom throughout his days with us at Closutton and had such a wonderful relationship with him.
“I was lucky enough to visit him today just before the end and met Gail who had popped over to see him as well as she’d heard the news. It was very poignant and we were able to say our goodbyes.
“It’s especially poignant following so shortly after the passing of his co-owner Frank Boyd and I’m thinking of his family and George Creighton’s family too at this time. Hurricane Fly provided us all with so many wonderful days and memories.”
Jockey Ruby Walsh, who partnered him to both Champion Hurdle triumphs and 16 of his 22 Grade 1s, also spoke of his admiration for a true equine friend.
“Hurricane Fly was a brilliant racehorse but was without doubt the best jumper of a hurdle I ever rode. He was incredible, his accuracy, his bravery, the speed at which he could move his feet. He was bombproof, you could ride him down to hurdles like they weren’t there because he was going to do the right thing every time.
“He had the engine to go with it. He had speed, class, he stayed and was in my eyes, for a little horse, the perfect horse.”