Istabraq's career remembered at Leopardstown Leopardstown racecourse has announced that the December Festival Hurdle, highlight on day four of the Christmas Festival, is to be renamed the Istabraq Festival Hurdle (Grade 1). One of the greatest horses of all time, Istabraq holds the distinction of winning at four Cheltenham Festivals in a row, including three renewals of the Champion Hurdle from 1998-2000, and himself won the December Festival Hurdle on four occasions between 1997 and 2001. Pat Keogh, Chief Executive of Leopardstown Racecourse, said “We are delighted to recognise the achievements of Istabraq by naming this race after him. We hope that this race will remind people of the wonderful horse he was and bring back fond memories for all national hunt racegoers. We would like to thank JP McManus for offering us the opportunity to name the race after Istabraq”.
