French · Ireland · Born 1 January 2008French-bred thoroughbred racehorse who became one of the greatest steeplechasers in National Hunt racing history with dominant performances at Cheltenham.
Sprinter Sacre nearly died. A heart irregularity detected in 2013, at the height of his powers as Champion Chase winner, forced him off the track for the better part of two years and left his connections uncertain whether he'd race competitively again, let alone return to his previous level. He did both: Sprinter Sacre won the Queen Mother Champion Chase again in 2016, three years after his first title in the same race, a gap long enough that most jump horses would have been retired rather than nursed back to elite fitness. Racing commentators still cite the 2016 win as one of the most emotional moments the sport has produced in the modern era, given how far from a return to form he'd looked at his lowest point. Trained in France before moving to Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows yard, Sprinter Sacre's career splits cleanly into two distinct peaks separated by a health scare that would have ended most horses' competitive careers outright -- a comeback story that's as central to how he's remembered as his actual race times.
Dominant 2-mile chaser, unbeaten streak
How They Played
Exceptional jumping ability and devastating turn of foot
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest steeplechasers in National Hunt racing history
Career Honours
- 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
French Athletes