Racing Greats: Thistlecrack
23 Dec 2024
In our third episode of Racing Greats, we get a first hand insight into how Thistlecrack became one of the most electric and prolific performers over both hurdles and fences for the Tizzard team.
Thistlecrack kicked off his career with a third place finish in a bumper at Fonwell, before winning in a similar standard of contest next time out. He failed to flatter over shorter distances for the team at Venn Farm at the start of his career, but began to flourish when Colin Tizzard stepped him up in trip to three miles.
In his first contest over the longer distance, he romped home in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle by a staggering 13 lengths, before finishing an agonisingly close second in a Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Punchestown 19 days later behind the Willie Mullins trained Killultagh Vic.
He continued in the same vain the following season, winning all five of his races by no less than six lengths, including the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Liverpool Stayers' Hurdle at the Aintree Grand National Festival.
He began his chasing career as an eight-year-old the following season and took to the fences like a natural, winning three novice races on his way to the biggest success of his career in the 2016 King George.
Check out to see how his career played out through the eyes of Colin and Joe Tizzard.
Thistlecrack kicked off his career with a third place finish in a bumper at Fonwell, before winning in a similar standard of contest next time out. He failed to flatter over shorter distances for the team at Venn Farm at the start of his career, but began to flourish when Colin Tizzard stepped him up in trip to three miles.
In his first contest over the longer distance, he romped home in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle by a staggering 13 lengths, before finishing an agonisingly close second in a Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Punchestown 19 days later behind the Willie Mullins trained Killultagh Vic.
He continued in the same vain the following season, winning all five of his races by no less than six lengths, including the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Liverpool Stayers' Hurdle at the Aintree Grand National Festival.
He began his chasing career as an eight-year-old the following season and took to the fences like a natural, winning three novice races on his way to the biggest success of his career in the 2016 King George.
Check out to see how his career played out through the eyes of Colin and Joe Tizzard.
.jpg?h=381&iar=0&w=678&rev=5be9c9828b994357a5d692b828edfda9&hash=34F9B017499291CDB1451D0D882A3241)
Share
