‘People’s champion’ and legendary horse Limestone Lad dies aged 32 as tributes pour in for iconic runner

RACING is in mourning after the death of ‘people’s champion’ and legendary racehorse Limestone Lad.

The iconic hurdler passed away at the grand old age of 32 on the rural family farm in Ireland where he spent his whole life, surrounded by sheep and cattle.

Limestone Lad, a formidable winning machine, has sadly died aged 32Sportsfile – Subscription

PA:Press AssociationLimestone Lad before his final ever race at Cheltenham in 2003[/caption]

Limestone Lad, who was bred, owned and trained by the Bowe family, famously beat three-time Champion Hurdle superstar Istabraq in an unforgettable Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in 1999.

Istabraq, regarded by many as the greatest hurdler ever, was sent off 1-7 but was downed five lengths by his 13-2 conqueror.

Limestone Lad won 35 of his 65 career runs and amassed more than £500,000 in prize money.

Respected ITV pundit Kevin Blake was among the many paying tribute.

He wrote: “Very sad to hear that Limestone Lad has passed away.

“What a magnificent example of what is possible in National Hunt racing he was.

“Bred, owned and trained by a small family operation and campaigned in such a gloriously swashbuckling way. Commiserations to all the Bowe family.”

Initially tried at showjumping after being pulled from a racehorse auction over an irregular heartbeat, Limestone Lad was a famously slow learner.

But once he got the taste of winning – his first victory came in his fifth race, a bumper at Limerick in December 1997 – he wouldn’t stop.

Limestone Lad won three Morgiana Hurdles, three Hatton’s Grace Hurdles, a Champion Stayers’ Hurdle and two Christmas Hurdles.

His final ever race was in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the 2003 Cheltenham Festival, where he finished fifth.

Assistant trainer Michael Bowe said afterwards: “He was actually devastated after the race.

“They know when they’ve been beaten and I’ve never seen him as put out. There was no consoling him. It took a couple of days for him to cheer up.”

Limestone Lad was campaigned aggressively by his owners – but they always insisted he simply loved racing.

The more he raced, the happier he was and the more he won.

Hailed as a ‘legend’ by those remembering him today, Limestone Lad had an incredible bond with trainer James Bowe, who died in April 2009.