| A huge contingent of Irish horse racing fans, particularly | | | | and riders into the industry is a one of their hallmarks |
| those who prefer National Hunt racing have made the | | | | and the country has become steeped in horse racing |
| trip over the water each March to enjoy the greatest | | | | traditions |
| four days of racing possible at the celebrated | | | | In addition to the legendary Arkle, Irish have known |
| Cheltenham Festival. | | | | spectacular success with the 'Wonder Mare,' Dawn |
| The visit has become a pilgrimage for many which | | | | Run. She produced a incredible feat for both the Irish |
| started in earnest back in the mid 60s when a certain | | | | as well as Cheltenham by winning the Champion |
| horse called Arkle became an all time a Cheltenham | | | | Hurdle in 1984, and then went on to win the Gold Cup |
| legend when he won the coveted Cheltenham Gold | | | | in 1986 - she is the only horse to date to have |
| Cup three times in succession. His first victory in that | | | | achieved this remarkable double. |
| race was billed as England v Ireland, as it was the | | | | More recently, Istabraq, owned by the gambling |
| English horse, Mill House who was favorite and was | | | | Irishman JP McManus, beat the best English hurdlers, |
| expected to follow up his success of the year before. | | | | with three consecutive Champion Hurdle successes in |
| He had already beaten Arkle in the Hennessey Gold | | | | 1998, 1999 and 2000 and he remains the only horse to |
| Cup just 4 months previously and there was not an | | | | have won at four successive Festivals, having won |
| Englishman at the race course that famous day who | | | | the 1997 Royal and Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle. |
| thought Arkle could reverse the form | | | | Whilst the UK has many great National Hunt jockeys |
| However he did and after a punishing race, the two | | | | the Irish do too and many ride over in the UK these |
| great protagonists ran clear of the field, but Mill House | | | | days, usually for the top trainers. Ruby Walsh, rides for |
| who had led for most of the way was suddenly | | | | Champion trainer Paul Nicholls, Barry Geraghty is stable |
| caught and overtaken by Arkle and could do nothing | | | | jockey to the Nicky Henderson yard and Denis |
| as the Irish horse jumped the last, two lengths clear, | | | | O'Regan for Howard Johnson. Then there is thirteen |
| and went on to win by five lengths. | | | | time champion jockey, Tony McCoy, who rides |
| Since that great race the Irish voice has never known | | | | freelance in the UK and usually gets the pick of the |
| silence at Cheltenham and a great but very friendly | | | | rides available. |
| rivalry has ensued making the atmosphere at the | | | | JP McManus himself has become a huge Festival |
| Festival very special, particularly as it often occurs | | | | figure, following some well reported successful |
| during the same week as St. Patrick's Day. The Irish | | | | gambles, where he has fleeced many of the leading |
| say that they are at the Festival for the 'craic' which is | | | | bookmakers at some time or another. |
| a term meaning a good time and every year the craic | | | | These days the Cheltenham Festival belongs as much |
| gets better. | | | | to the Irish as it does to the UK, it is four days of fun |
| Ireland of course is also one of the great equine | | | | filled racing where the craic is enjoyed by all comers |
| countries, breeding horses and encouraging trainers | | | | and will continue to be so. |