Martinstown Stud - Istabraq & Co.

Undoubtably the highlight of our 2006 Ireland-Trip was to be allowed to visit Martinstown Stud and meet Istabraq & Co.; and to go and see Ela-Mana-Mou at Simmonstown Stud, where the old fellow (now 30 years old) lives out some quiet years (see his own chapter)!
The photos are scanned in, so might seem a bit dull, but the occasion was certainly not!!

He´s seen it, done it, and was simply one of the best Hurdlers ever: Istabraq in magnificent shape at home, with some slower mates in the background!

Head on:

Posing with Istabraq and Risk of Thunder:

What´s going on here: Baracouda in inquisitive mood:

This clicking noise is all too familiar-Baracouda inspects our camera and has clearly seen better one´s:

How not to use new superlatives when meeting them two straight in the next field: Baracouda & First Gold sharing their retirement (see the "Racing Great" section for both!)

Another old favourite is Youlneverwalkalone, Cheltenham-Hero in his own right. Jimmy was especially keen to meet & greet him:

A proper horse, on and off the track - Youlneverwalkalone in full beauty:

He cost me a few quid, but great to see him safe&sound in retirement(!)-Mini Sensation:

I hope this is Elegant Lord:

Threesome: L´Ami, Reveillez and Wichita Lineman from behind:

With brave Risk Accessor, and Caroline holding. I have never ever seen a horse as tired as him after the 2005 Grand National, but he ploughed on in 5th place in the 2006 edition!

A brave 2nd to Amberleigh House in 2004, so unlucky when carried out by loose horses in 2005, and a gutsy 3rd to Numbersixvalverde in 2006 - Clan Royal in brilliant shape but clearly a bit grumpy in the fields:

Old Blitzkreig, winner of nine races culminating in a couple of Group 2´s against the likes of Young Snugfit, Katabatic and Dessie - he certainly shares the colour with the latter:

Another lovely portrait of Youlneverwalkalone:

Risk Accessor and some mates:

Update 2008:
Martinstown is very special to us, and we have been back regulary since 2006. Here are some more photos of old J P McManus favourites:

As it was raining very hard this time, we met Istabraq in his stable. Special moments indeed.

Istabraq´s mate, former Cross-Country-hero Risk of Thunder, has looked muddy every time we´ve seen him so far.

We were especially happy to meet the one and only Spot Thedifference (see his entry in the Star-Selection); just the photo is a bit dull as we had to meet him inside too):

Another huge favourite of ours and another entry in the Star-Section is Flagship Uberalles, whom we met at Martinstown for the first time this year: (Cat is visibly chuffed :) - and note it had just stopped raining!)

Last but not least a new photo of old Blitzkreig, who is 26 in 2008