Martinstown Stud - Istabraq & Co.

Undoubtably the highlight of every Ireland-Trip is to be allowed to visit Martinstown Stud and meet Istabraq & Co.; and to go and see Ela-Mana-Mou at Simmonstown Stud, where the old fellow (now 32 years old and still going strong) lives out some quiet years (see his own chapter)!
The photos from 2006 are scanned in, so might seem a bit dull, but the occasion was certainly not!!

He´s seen it, done it, and was simply one of the best Hurdlers ever: Istabraq in magnificent shape at home, with some slower mates in the background!

Head on:

Posing with Istabraq and Risk of Thunder:

What´s going on here: Baracouda in inquisitive mood:

This clicking noise is all too familiar-Baracouda inspects our camera and has clearly seen better one´s:

How not to use new superlatives when meeting them two straight in the next field: Baracouda & First Gold sharing their retirement (see the "Racing Great" section for both!)

Another old favourite is Youlneverwalkalone, Cheltenham-Hero in his own right. Jimmy was especially keen to meet & greet him:

A proper horse, on and off the track - Youlneverwalkalone in full beauty:

He cost me a few quid, but great to see him safe&sound in retirement(!)-Mini Sensation:

I hope this is Elegant Lord:

Threesome: L´Ami, Reveillez and Wichita Lineman from behind:

With brave Risk Accessor, and Caroline holding. I have never ever seen a horse as tired as him after the 2005 Grand National, but he ploughed on in 5th place in the 2006 edition!

A brave 2nd to Amberleigh House in 2004, so unlucky when carried out by loose horses in 2005, and a gutsy 3rd to Numbersixvalverde in 2006 - Clan Royal in brilliant shape but clearly a bit grumpy in the fields:

Old Blitzkreig, winner of nine races culminating in a couple of Group 2´s against the likes of Young Snugfit, Katabatic and Dessie - he certainly shares the colour with the latter:

Another lovely portrait of Youlneverwalkalone:

Risk Accessor and some mates:

Update 2008:
Martinstown is very special to us, and we have been back regulary since 2006. Here are some more photos of old J P McManus favourites:

As it was raining very hard this time, we met Istabraq in his stable. Special moments indeed.

Istabraq´s mate, former Cross-Country-hero Risk of Thunder, has looked muddy every time we´ve seen him so far.

We were especially happy to meet the one and only Spot Thedifference (see his entry in the Star-Selection); just the photo is a bit dull as we had to meet him inside too):

Another huge favourite of ours and another entry in the Star-Section is Flagship Uberalles, whom we met at Martinstown for the first time this year: (Cat is visibly chuffed :) - and note it had just stopped raining!)

Last but not least a new photo of old Blitzkreig, who was 26 in 2008 (but is sadly no longer with us)