Dunguib
Encyclopedia
Dunguib is an Irish
Thoroughbred
racehorse
who became the second horse to complete the Cheltenham
and Punchestown
double in 2009 for trainer Philip Fenton and owners Daniel Harnett and Lily Lawlor. However he was later disqualified from his Punchestown Champion Bumper victory
at the Tattersalls Ireland
horse sales in November 2003 to Daniel Harnett and Lily Lawlor, who intended to sell him on as a three-year-old like they had many horses before, including Irish Grand National
winner Niche Market.
As they lived near to the town of Killenaule
in County Tipperary
, both Harnett and Lawlor knew Philip Fenton well as he rode for local trainer Edward O'Grady as an amateur for many years, securing a Cheltenham Festival
success for the trainer on Loving Around in the 1996 National Hunt Chase . Both told Fenton that if their son of Presenting was not sold on then they would put him in training at his Carrick On Suir base in the neighbouring county of Waterford
The name Dunguib comes from a small village outside Killenaule of the same name.
start at the 2008 Punchestown Festival where he was beaten by On Raglan Road in a National Hunt flat race
. He went on to win his next two starts in National Hunt flat races, including the Grade 2 Future Champ INH Flat Race.
After that convincing victory, Dunguib was moved to the highest level to contest the Champion Bumper at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival, a race Harnett and Lawlor had dreamed of winning for some time .
Under amateur rider Brian O'Connell, his only rider to date, Dunguib stayed on strongly up the Cheltenham hill to beat Some Present and Rite Of Passage
with ease . Having landed his first Grade 1 connections were quick to win another naming the Punchestown Champion Bumper as his next target and gave him a short break before producing him in top condition that April. Dunguib finished first , but was later found to have been running with a banned substance in his system and was disqualified, awarding the race to the second home Sweeps Hill.
after this race using a racecourse gallop
at Thurles as a preparation. This plan was changed however, when Thurles became waterlogged by excessive levels of rain and Dunguib was taken to Punchestown
for another hurdle race. In similar style to his first run of the season, Dunguib won by several lengths with virtually no urgings from O'Connell .
Dunguib's next test was to be his most challenging so far. A return to Grade 1 action for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle
at Fairyhouse
was planned and preparations were going well , but a freak rain storm waterlogged Fairyhouse on the Sunday of the big race, forcing its abandonment . Horse Racing Ireland worked quickly to ensure the day, which was also set to feature the Hatton's Grace Hurdle
and Drinmore Novice Chase
, was saved, moving the entire card to the following Wednesday and the course's original fixture set for that date to the next Thursday (December 10). Still, the opposition was no match for Dunguib and he went seven lengths clear of Some Present to record another win . Afterwards, Fenton was considering a run at the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown
because his star had won so easily again, but all concerned decided to stick with their original plan and Dunguib was rested until the Deloitte Novice Hurdle
in February.
He won this without being pressured, but made several jumping errors . These did not harm him though and he was described by Fenton as "bright as a button" the following day.
That contest was his final preparation for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle
at the Cheltenham Festival
in March 2010.
Immediately after the race, some commentators were quick to criticise jockey Brian O'Connell, claiming her was too inexperienced to ride the horse in such a high profile event. Channel 4 commentator John McCririck called for O’Connell to be sacked after riding the horse. However, such a comment was not taken well by other jockeys and McCririck came under immediate attack from many others ridding at the Festival who jumped to the defense of O’Connell with Davy Russell demanding an apology saying “John McCririck doesn’t know one end of the horse from the other.
I would have been insulted by the comments said on the television. He wasn’t the best horse on the day and if you lost your money you should take it on the chin. I would like a public apology from him (McCririck).”
The official distances were a head and one and three quarter lengths. The form of the race has looked better in retrospect, with both Menorah and the fourth placed Oscar Whisky going on to win Grade I races.
Dunguib suffered the second defeat of his career at the Punchestown Festival in April 2010. Again sent off favourite, at a price of 5/2, the Philip Fenton novice was only able to finish eighth behind a top class field in the Grade 1 event. Hurricane Fly
, the future Champion Hurdler
went on to win the race at a price of 3-1.
at Gowran. Dunguib travelled well throughout the race and came through to challenge leader Luska Lad for the lead two hurdles from home. Once taking the lead, the race was never in doubt, with the official winning distance being three and a half lengths with Gimli's Rock seven lengths back in third.
At the 2011 Cheltenham Festival, Dunguib failed to produce his best form on good ground in the Champion Hurdle, finishing eighth of the eleven runners behind Hurricane Fly.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
who became the second horse to complete the 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...
and Punchestown
Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown Racecourse is located in the parish of Eadestown, between the R410 and R411 regional roads near Naas, County Kildare, in Ireland. It is home of the National Hunt Festival of Ireland....
double in 2009 for trainer Philip Fenton and owners Daniel Harnett and Lily Lawlor. However he was later disqualified from his Punchestown Champion Bumper victory
Background
Dunguib was sold by breeder Liam Meade as a foalFoal
A foal is an equine, particularly a horse, that is one year old or younger. More specific terms are colt for a male foal and filly for a female foal, but these terms are used until the horse is age three or four. When the foal is nursing from its dam , it may also be called a suckling...
at the Tattersalls Ireland
Tattersalls
Tattersalls is the main auctioneer of race horses in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It was founded in 1766 by Richard Tattersall , who had been stud groom to the second Duke of Kingston. The first premises occupied were near Hyde Park Corner, in what was then the outskirts of London...
horse sales in November 2003 to Daniel Harnett and Lily Lawlor, who intended to sell him on as a three-year-old like they had many horses before, including 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...
winner Niche Market.
As they lived near to the town of Killenaule
Killenaule
Killenaule is a town and a civil parish in the barony of Slievardagh, South Tipperary in Ireland. It is also one half of the ecclesiastical parish of Killenaule and Moyglass in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly. It is located east of Cashel on the R689 and R691 regional roads...
in County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
, both Harnett and Lawlor knew Philip Fenton well as he rode for local trainer Edward O'Grady as an amateur for many years, securing a Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...
success for the trainer on Loving Around in the 1996 National Hunt Chase . Both told Fenton that if their son of Presenting was not sold on then they would put him in training at his Carrick On Suir base in the neighbouring county of Waterford
County Waterford
*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,...
The name Dunguib comes from a small village outside Killenaule of the same name.
2008/9: National Hunt Flat races
Dunguib had his first racingHorse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
start at the 2008 Punchestown Festival where he was beaten by On Raglan Road in a National Hunt flat race
National Hunt flat race
National Hunt Flat races, informally known as Bumper races, are flat races run under National Hunt racing rules in Britain and Ireland....
. He went on to win his next two starts in National Hunt flat races, including the Grade 2 Future Champ INH Flat Race.
After that convincing victory, Dunguib was moved to the highest level to contest the Champion Bumper at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival, a race Harnett and Lawlor had dreamed of winning for some time .
Under amateur rider Brian O'Connell, his only rider to date, Dunguib stayed on strongly up the Cheltenham hill to beat Some Present and Rite Of Passage
Rite of Passage (horse)
Rite of Passage is a British-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the Ascot Gold Cup and being named Cartier Racing Award for European Champion Stayer in 2010. His career was unusual in the fact that he established himself as a high-class performer under National Hunt...
with ease . Having landed his first Grade 1 connections were quick to win another naming the Punchestown Champion Bumper as his next target and gave him a short break before producing him in top condition that April. Dunguib finished first , but was later found to have been running with a banned substance in his system and was disqualified, awarding the race to the second home Sweeps Hill.
Before Cheltenham
Fenton had schooled Dunguib over hurdles before his Punchestown run and gave him his first start over those obstacles in October 2009 at Galway. Conditions were very testing, but the competition was not strong and the six-year-old won by four lengths, once again in the hands of O'Connell . Connections had wanted to go straight to the Royal Bond Novice HurdleRoyal Bond Novice Hurdle
The Royal Bond Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
after this race using a racecourse gallop
Gallop
Gallop is an asymmetrical gait used at high speeds by quadrupedal organisms such as the gait seen in the horse.Gallop may also refer to:*Conductor gallop, wind-induced low frequency oscillation of overhead transmission lines...
at Thurles as a preparation. This plan was changed however, when Thurles became waterlogged by excessive levels of rain and Dunguib was taken to Punchestown
Punchestown Racecourse
Punchestown Racecourse is located in the parish of Eadestown, between the R410 and R411 regional roads near Naas, County Kildare, in Ireland. It is home of the National Hunt Festival of Ireland....
for another hurdle race. In similar style to his first run of the season, Dunguib won by several lengths with virtually no urgings from O'Connell .
Dunguib's next test was to be his most challenging so far. A return to Grade 1 action for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle
Royal Bond Novice Hurdle
The Royal Bond Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
at Fairyhouse
Fairyhouse Racecourse
Fairyhouse Racecourse is one of Ireland's premier horse racing venues. Situated in the parish of Ratoath in County Meath, on the R155 regional road, 3 km off the N3. It is the home of the Irish Grand National. The first race meet was held in 1848...
was planned and preparations were going well , but a freak rain storm waterlogged Fairyhouse on the Sunday of the big race, forcing its abandonment . Horse Racing Ireland worked quickly to ensure the day, which was also set to feature the Hatton's Grace Hurdle
Hatton's Grace Hurdle
The Hatton's Grace Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are eleven hurdles to be jumped...
and Drinmore Novice Chase
Drinmore Novice Chase
The Drinmore Novice Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and during its running there are fifteen fences to be jumped...
, was saved, moving the entire card to the following Wednesday and the course's original fixture set for that date to the next Thursday (December 10). Still, the opposition was no match for Dunguib and he went seven lengths clear of Some Present to record another win . Afterwards, Fenton was considering a run at the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown
Leopardstown Racecourse
Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse...
because his star had won so easily again, but all concerned decided to stick with their original plan and Dunguib was rested until the Deloitte Novice Hurdle
Deloitte Novice Hurdle
The Deloitte Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles and 2 furlongs , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
in February.
He won this without being pressured, but made several jumping errors . These did not harm him though and he was described by Fenton as "bright as a button" the following day.
That contest was his final preparation for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle
Supreme Novices' Hurdle
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 110 yards , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
at the Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...
in March 2010.
Cheltenham and After
Despite widespread anticipation that Dunguib would win the opening race of the 2010 Cheltenham Festival the horse failed to live up to expectations on the day. Sent to post an odd-on favourite at a price of 4/5, Dunguib was ridden wide throughout the 2 mile, Grade 1 race by jockey Brian O'Connell. This may have been a deliberate tactic to give the horse a clear view of the hurdles. His prospects were not helped by the slow pace of the race which ensured that almost a dozen horses were in contention turning into the straight. This forced the horse even wider on the track and serious ground was lost.Despite quickening up the Cheltenham hill, O'Connell and Dunguib were unable to catch the Philip Hobbs trained Menorah, ridden by Richard Johnson, with Get Me Out Of Here a close second.Immediately after the race, some commentators were quick to criticise jockey Brian O'Connell, claiming her was too inexperienced to ride the horse in such a high profile event. Channel 4 commentator John McCririck called for O’Connell to be sacked after riding the horse. However, such a comment was not taken well by other jockeys and McCririck came under immediate attack from many others ridding at the Festival who jumped to the defense of O’Connell with Davy Russell demanding an apology saying “John McCririck doesn’t know one end of the horse from the other.
I would have been insulted by the comments said on the television. He wasn’t the best horse on the day and if you lost your money you should take it on the chin. I would like a public apology from him (McCririck).”
The official distances were a head and one and three quarter lengths. The form of the race has looked better in retrospect, with both Menorah and the fourth placed Oscar Whisky going on to win Grade I races.
Dunguib suffered the second defeat of his career at the Punchestown Festival in April 2010. Again sent off favourite, at a price of 5/2, the Philip Fenton novice was only able to finish eighth behind a top class field in the Grade 1 event. Hurricane Fly
Hurricane Fly
Hurricane Fly is a thoroughbred racehorse. The horse is owned by George Creighton & Mrs Rose Boyd and trained by Willie Mullins. On 15 March 2011, Hurricane Fly ridden by Ruby Walsh won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham....
, the future Champion Hurdler
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle...
went on to win the race at a price of 3-1.
2010/11 Season
Dunguib's 2010-2011 campaign was seriously disrupted due to a combination of illness and inclement weather. A harsh Irish winter ensured an almost blanket cancelation of all racing during November and December due to heavy rain, frozen ground and snowfalls. All three ensured, that despite being entered in various races, Philip Fenton's horse would not run again in 2010. Dunguib's long awaited re-appearance did not occur until February 2011 when he was sent off an 8-11 favourite in the three-horse-race, Red Mills Trial HurdleRed Mills Trial Hurdle
The Red Mills Trial Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt race in Ireland. It is run at Gowran Park in February, over a distance of 2 miles and during the race there are nine hurdles to be jumped.-Recent Winners:* Amateur jockeys indicated by "Mr"....
at Gowran. Dunguib travelled well throughout the race and came through to challenge leader Luska Lad for the lead two hurdles from home. Once taking the lead, the race was never in doubt, with the official winning distance being three and a half lengths with Gimli's Rock seven lengths back in third.
At the 2011 Cheltenham Festival, Dunguib failed to produce his best form on good ground in the Champion Hurdle, finishing eighth of the eleven runners behind Hurricane Fly.
Racing results
- Racing PostRacing PostThe Racing Post is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing and sports betting newspaper, appearing in print form and online.From 30 May 2011 - 3 July 2011 it had a circulation of 56,507.-History:...
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