Sprinter Sacre

French-bred thoroughbred racehorse who became one of the greatest steeplechasers in National Hunt racing history with dominant performances at Cheltenham.

Born on January 1, 2008, this French-bred gelding by Network out of Fatima Du Miel emerged as one of National Hunt racing's most exceptional talents. Initially trained in France before moving to Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows stable in Lambourn, the horse quickly established himself as a formidable force in British jump racing. Sprinter Sacre's career trajectory was nothing short of meteoric. After making his debut over hurdles, he transitioned to steeplechasing where his extraordinary natural jumping ability became immediately apparent. His long, rangy frame and exceptional scope allowed him to attack fences with a distinctive style that set him apart from his contemporaries. The gelding's peak years from 2012 to 2013 saw him dominate the two-mile chase division with performances of breathtaking authority, often winning by margins that left seasoned observers struggling for superlatives. His defining achievement came with victory in the 2013 Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, a performance widely regarded as one of the greatest displays ever witnessed in the race. He successfully defended this title in 2016 after a remarkable comeback from cardiac arrhythmia that had threatened to end his career prematurely. This heart condition forced his connections to withdraw him from racing for an extended period, making his eventual return to championship-winning form all the more extraordinary. The gelding's legacy extends beyond mere statistics to encompass his profound impact on the sport's emotional landscape. His combination of raw talent, vulnerability through illness, and triumphant recovery created a narrative that transcended typical sporting achievement. Racing enthusiasts regard him as perhaps the most naturally gifted steeplechaser of the modern era, whose effortless jumping technique and devastating turn of foot established new benchmarks for excellence in National Hunt racing. His story remains one of the sport's most compelling tales of talent, adversity, and ultimate redemption.

Exceptional jumping ability and devastating turn of foot

One of the greatest steeplechasers in National Hunt racing history

• Queen Mother Champion Chase Winner 2013
• Queen Mother Champion Chase Winner 2016
• Desert Orchid Chase Winner 2012
• Tingle Creek Chase Winner 2012
• Tingle Creek Chase Winner 2015
• Clarence House Chase Winner 2013
• Clarence House Chase Winner 2016
• Game Spirit Chase Winner 2013
• Shloer Chase Winner 2015
• Champion Chase Winner Cheltenham Festival 2013
• Champion Chase Winner Cheltenham Festival 2016