Cool Dawn
Encyclopedia
Cool Dawn was a National Hunt chaser of the 1990s who went from winning minor Point-to-Point races to winning the 1998 Cheltenham Gold Cup
, the Blue Riband of National Hunt Racing.
. He subsequently had a second, first, and a ran out.
. After a further point-to-point win he won his first Hunter Chase at Ascot
(6/5f), but followed that win with an unseated with the race at his mercy at Warwick
(2/11f). His performances during this season clearly established him as a top class point-to-pointer and hunter chaser.
. He was moved to Robert Alner
’s professional yard for his Hunter Chase campaign. After a good win at Kempton
(7/2), beating the useful Teaplanter, he ran well in the Foxhunter (7/2) coming second to the Enda Bolger ridden favourite, Elegant Lord. He then returned to Ireland and, ridden by Conor O’Dwyer, came third in the Irish Grand National
behind Feathered Gale.
in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase, his owner-rider handed over the reins to a professional jockey, Andrew Thornton
, who rode him for the rest of the season. His next three outings, all at Ascot
, all resulted in wins, the Gardner Merchant Handicap Chase by 6l (from 4 lb out of the handicap)(4/1), the Betterware Cup by 9l (carrying 10-5)(5/2f), and the Ok Soil Remediation Ltd Handicap Chase by 2l (carrying 12-0)(10-11f). His final outing before the Gold Cup
, at Sandown in the Agfa Diamond Chase, was rather an anti-climax as he was pulled up before 3 out. However, ignoring that run, in which it turned out that he had pulled some muscles in his back, he went to Cheltenham
with a good outsider’s chance of a place at least.
Cool Dawn returned to Cheltenham
to the same course and distance as his second in the Foxhunter two years earlier and put up the best performance of his career. There was early drama at the seventh fence when Cyborgo was pulled up lame and carried out See More Business
, the 1997 King George
winner, and Indian Tracker. However, Cool Dawn (a 25/1 outsider) was never troubled by this as he led from start to finish being briefly challenged by Strong Promise at the final fence before storming up the hill to win by 1¾l from Strong Promise with the favourite Dorans Pride
a further head behind.
As the weights for the Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown had already been published by the time of his Gold Cup win, he was well in at the weights and it seemed too good a chance to miss. However, after being sent off the 5/1f and leading for the first couple of miles, it was case of going to the well once too often and he was pulled up 2 out when well behind.
he was pulled up. However, before the race he had reared over in the paddock falling over onto his jockey, this time his owner-rider, and was probably feeling the effects of this. It is probable that he actually injured himself slightly more seriously than thought as Cool Dawn never fully recovered his form. His final two races were at the two tracks where he had shown his best form. At Ascot
he finished third of four and in his final start at Cheltenham
he was pulled up.
1998 Cheltenham Gold Cup
The 1998 Cheltenham Gold Cup was a horse race which took place at Cheltenham on Thursday March 19, 1998. It was the 71st running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and it was won by Cool Dawn. The winner was ridden by Andrew Thornton and trained by Robert Alner...
, the Blue Riband of National Hunt Racing.
1992/93 season
His racing career began in an Irish Point-to-Point at Kilossera on 24 January 1993 where he finished 6th out of 14. After a further four races he was sold to Dido Harding to run in point-to-points in England.1993/94 season
Cool Dawn started his English career with a win in a maiden at Badbury RingsBadbury Rings
Badbury Rings is an Iron Age hill fort in east Dorset, England, dating from 800 BC and in use until the Roman occupation of 43 AD.-Iron Age:...
. He subsequently had a second, first, and a ran out.
1994/95 season
Two further point-to-point wins (including a Ladies Open) preceded his debut on a professional racecourse during this season in a novice Hunter Chases when he came second at FolkestoneFolkestone Racecourse
- External links :***...
. After a further point-to-point win he won his first Hunter Chase at Ascot
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
(6/5f), but followed that win with an unseated with the race at his mercy at Warwick
Warwick Racecourse
Warwick Racecourse is a horse racing course in Warwick, England. It is a leading flat racing and steeple chasing course, and has a programme of 25 meetings throughout the year, many of which are televised. The first stand was built in 1808, it has recently undergone a major refurbishment of its...
(2/11f). His performances during this season clearly established him as a top class point-to-pointer and hunter chaser.
1995/96 season
His target during this season was the Foxhunter at CheltenhamCheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is a racecourse for horse racing events, located at Prestbury Park, in the suburban village of Prestbury on the outskirts of the English town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire...
. He was moved to Robert Alner
Robert Alner
Robert Alner is a British racehorse trainer specializing in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Droop, near Sturminster Newton in Dorset, England. He trained the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Cool Dawn in 1998....
’s professional yard for his Hunter Chase campaign. After a good win at Kempton
Kempton Park Racecourse
Kempton Park Racecourse is a horse racing track in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England, which is a western suburb of London 16 miles from the city centre. The site is set in of land....
(7/2), beating the useful Teaplanter, he ran well in the Foxhunter (7/2) coming second to the Enda Bolger ridden favourite, Elegant Lord. He then returned to Ireland and, ridden by Conor O’Dwyer, came third in the Irish Grand National
Irish Grand National
The Irish Grand National is a National Hunt chase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 3 miles and 5 furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-four fences to be jumped...
behind Feathered Gale.
1996/97 season
After his performance the previous season it was decided to go for a professional campaign. However, he only had one outing, finishing fourth of five in a handicap at Sandown, before his season was curtailed by injury.1997/98 season
This season was Cool Dawn’s annus mirabilis. After an undistinguished reappearance at WincantonWincanton Racecourse
Wincanton Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Wincanton, Somerset, England.The steeplechase fences are large, making it a good test of a chaser...
in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase, his owner-rider handed over the reins to a professional jockey, Andrew Thornton
Andrew Thornton
Andrew Thornton is a National Hunt jockey. He was born on October 28, 1972 in Cleveland and schooled at Barnard Castle School in County Durham. He rides mainly for Caroline Bailey,Seamus Mullins,Henrietta Knight,Ben Pollock and Richard Rowe.as well as for many other trainers. He is not related to...
, who rode him for the rest of the season. His next three outings, all at Ascot
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
, all resulted in wins, the Gardner Merchant Handicap Chase by 6l (from 4 lb out of the handicap)(4/1), the Betterware Cup by 9l (carrying 10-5)(5/2f), and the Ok Soil Remediation Ltd Handicap Chase by 2l (carrying 12-0)(10-11f). His final outing before the Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
, at Sandown in the Agfa Diamond Chase, was rather an anti-climax as he was pulled up before 3 out. However, ignoring that run, in which it turned out that he had pulled some muscles in his back, he went to Cheltenham
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is a racecourse for horse racing events, located at Prestbury Park, in the suburban village of Prestbury on the outskirts of the English town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire...
with a good outsider’s chance of a place at least.
Cool Dawn returned to Cheltenham
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is a racecourse for horse racing events, located at Prestbury Park, in the suburban village of Prestbury on the outskirts of the English town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire...
to the same course and distance as his second in the Foxhunter two years earlier and put up the best performance of his career. There was early drama at the seventh fence when Cyborgo was pulled up lame and carried out See More Business
See More Business
See More Business was a top-class National Hunt chaser in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He won the 1999 Cheltenham Gold Cup as well as the 1997 and 1999 King George VI Chase. He was trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Mick Fitzgerald in two of those races...
, the 1997 King George
King George VI Chase
The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there are eighteen fences to be jumped...
winner, and Indian Tracker. However, Cool Dawn (a 25/1 outsider) was never troubled by this as he led from start to finish being briefly challenged by Strong Promise at the final fence before storming up the hill to win by 1¾l from Strong Promise with the favourite Dorans Pride
Dorans Pride
Dorans Pride is an Irish thoroughbred racehorse.-Racing Career: Dorans Pride joined Michael Hourigan's yard in 1992 and was sold by the trainer to Tom Doran in February 1993, who gave the then nicknamed Padjo, his racing name...
a further head behind.
As the weights for the Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown had already been published by the time of his Gold Cup win, he was well in at the weights and it seemed too good a chance to miss. However, after being sent off the 5/1f and leading for the first couple of miles, it was case of going to the well once too often and he was pulled up 2 out when well behind.
1998/99 season
In his first outing of the season at WincantonWincanton Racecourse
Wincanton Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Wincanton, Somerset, England.The steeplechase fences are large, making it a good test of a chaser...
he was pulled up. However, before the race he had reared over in the paddock falling over onto his jockey, this time his owner-rider, and was probably feeling the effects of this. It is probable that he actually injured himself slightly more seriously than thought as Cool Dawn never fully recovered his form. His final two races were at the two tracks where he had shown his best form. At Ascot
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
he finished third of four and in his final start at Cheltenham
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is a racecourse for horse racing events, located at Prestbury Park, in the suburban village of Prestbury on the outskirts of the English town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire...
he was pulled up.
Post race career
Following his retirement from racing, Cool Dawn has continued to hunt regularly with the Weston and Banwell Harriers, and has also paraded at a large number of events as a former Gold Cup winner.External links
- http://www.pedigreequery.com/cool+dawn - Cool Dawn's pedigree
- http://www.racingpost.com/horses/horse_home.sd?horse_id=90949 - Cool Dawn's race record