Espoir d'Allen was a French-bred, Irish-trained racehorse who won the 2019 Champion Hurdle.[2][3]

Espoir d'Allen
SireVoix du Nord
GrandsireValanour
DamQuadanse
DamsireMaille Pistol
SexGelding
Foaled23 February 2014[1]
CountryFrance
ColourBay
BreederBruno Vagne
OwnerWalter Connors
John P. McManus
TrainerGavin Cromwell
Record10: 9-0-0
Earnings£371,707
Major wins
Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle (2017)
Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (2017)
Fishery Lane Hurdle (2018)
Irish Independent Hurdle (2018)
Limestone Lad Hurdle (2019)
Champion Hurdle (2019)

Background

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Espoir d'Allen was a bay horse with a narrow white blaze bred in France by Bruno Vagne. He was sired by the Thoroughbred stallion Voix du Nord out of the AQPS mare Quadanse.

Racing career

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2017/2018 season

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Espoir d'Allen won the Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse and the Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown Racecourse in the latter part of 2017.

2018/2019 season

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In his second season over jumps Espoir d'Allen won the Fishery Lane Hurdle at Naas Racecourse in November and the Irish Independent Hurdle at Limerick Racecourse in December. In January 2019 he took the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas. At Cheltenham Racecourse on 12 March he won the Champion Hurdle at odds of 16/1, coming home fifteen lengths clear of his nine opponents.[4]

In August 2019 Espoir d'Allen injured his shoulder after rearing up and falling during an exercise canter. His condition deteriorated and he was euthanised on 23 August.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Espoir d'Allen pedigree". Pedigree query.
  2. ^ "Outsider Espoir D'Allen claims Champion Hurdle after Buvair Dair's three in-a-row bid ends with dramatic fall". Irish Independent. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Espoir D'Allen lands shock Champion Hurdle win". BBC Sport. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  4. ^ "Cheltenham Festival 2019: Espoir D'Allen takes shock Champion Hurdle win – as it happened". The Guardian. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  5. ^ Jennings, David (23 August 2019). "Brilliant Champion Hurdle winner Espoir D'Allen put down at age of five". Racing Post.
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