BY MICHAEL O’LEARY
Limestone Lad died over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend just four days short of his 32nd birthday, and he was a horse who’s popularity captured the public as his front running style made him a firm favorite. Owned, trained and bred by James Bowe in Gathabawn, Limestone Lad was placed in 54 of his 65 starts winning 35 of his races, and unquestionably his greatest triumph was his defeat of the legendary Istabraq in The Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in 1999.
He was a model of consistency throughout his career winning a further two Hattons Grace Hurdles in 2001 and 2002, while he also won The Morgiana Hurdle three times (1999, 2001 and 2002), The Christmas Hurdle twice (1999 and 2002) along with the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle at The Punchestown Festival in 2002. He was also placed twice in the Stayers Hurdle in Cheltenham in 2000 and 2003.
However, his career was a slow burner to begin with.
As a three-year-old he was put up for sale, but was rejected after failing a medical examination that in hindsight was a blessing. He was unplaced in his first four starts, before gaining his first win in a Ladies Bumper at The Limerick Christmas Festival in 1997 with a comprehensive victory.
Michael Bowe who is son of the trainer of Limestone Lad James Bowe recalled “I suspected we had something exciting on our hands when he won that day. My lasting memory after that race was holding him in the car park, giving him a piece of grass with a band playing in the background. They were playing Perfect Day – and it was”
By coincidence, Perfect Day by various leading music artists was The Christmas No. 1 in The Irish Singles Charts in 1997, and it was more than a good omen as their were plenty more perfect days to come in the years ahead.
Further victories would follow in a Bumper in Naas before winning his Maiden Hurdle in Clonmel.
Things began to take off in the 1998/1999 season with 7 wins from his 10 starts – all in Handicap Hurdles – with 4 of those victories coming in Leopardstown.
The following season (1999/2000) saw Limestone Lad reach greater heights with his popularity soaring, and his famous victory over Istabraq in The Hattons Grace Hurdle saw him achieve national fame.
He had won the hearts and affection of the nation, and his popularity rivalled the likes of Istabraq, Danoli, Dorans Pride and Dawn Run.
A landslide victory in The Christmas Hurdle at The Leopardstown Christmas Festival followed, before attention turned to Cheltenham where he was strongly fancied for The Stayers Hurdle.
However, despite a gallant attempt he finished a close second to The Nicky Henderson trained Bacchanal who was bred by Kilkenny man Martyn McEnery from Kells who also bred Red Rum to a hat-trick of Aintree Grand National triumphs.
Limestone Lad was switched to fences during the 2000/2001 season, and he made an instant impact with four consecutive victories including two Grade 3 Novice Chases in Punchestown.
However, a disappointing run in The Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase in Fairyhouse saw the decision to revert him back to hurdling as he went onto to further successes. On his return to the smaller obstacles in early 2001 he won in Naas and Navan, but an attempt at Cheltenham glory was thwarted by the foot and mouth outbreak.
In the 2001/2002 season, Limestone Lad won a second Morgiana Hurdle in a thrilling finish following a battle royale against Ned Kelly, before following up with a second Hattons Grace Hurdle.
Unfortunately, injury ruled him out of The Cheltenham Festival in 2002, but he returned to action with victory in The Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle at The Punchestown Festival.
The 2002/2003 season was Limestone Lad’s final season in action, and he recorded 5 consecutive victories including winning both The Morgiana Hurdle and Hattons Grace Hurdle for the third time, while his final victory came at The Leopardstown Christmas Festival with a very impressive performance in winning his second Christmas Hurdle.
He returned to Leopardstown one last time as a now 11-year-old to run in The Irish Champion Hurdle, but just lost out by the narrowest of margins to Like A Butterfly following an epic finish.
Cheltenham beckoned in what would prove to be his swansong as he lined up in The Stayers Hurdle. He started off 9/4 joint favorite along with The French trained Baracouda who won The Stayers the previous year in 2002.
Limestone Lad applied his trademark front running tactics in an attempt to make all but despite another valiant effort, he finished third behind Baracouda who defended his Stayers crown in a thrilling finish.
Following an accomplished career with so many great memories Limestone Lad was retired to stud, but just as he was winding down his career Solerina arrived to keep the flag flying high for The Bowe family.
Solerina would emulate the feat of her stable companion by winning three Hattons Grace Hurdles (2003-2005), and she won 22 of her 40 starts.
Both horses were renowned for their front running tactics similar to how Paula Radcliffe ran when she was competing
It was such a pleasure and a joy for The Bowe family to have had two terrific horses that captured the hearts of the public.
Both Limestone Lad and Solerina earned around €1.5 million between them for their efforts, but it was the sheer joy that gave a small stable and family in Gathabawn so many wonderful and unforgetable memories that will live on.
