Sire storms to Champion triumph
The rapidly improving eight-year-old is trained by Gary Moore and was superbly handled by his son, Jamie, enjoying a first Festival success.
Moore Snr, of course, is also the father of legendary flat jockey, Ryan.
The contest could hardly have worked out any better for the winner, who was tanking all the way.
Down hill to the home turn Sizing Europe, Special Tiara and Somersby were going at it big time up front, with Sire De Grugy laughing at them in behind.
Somersby shot on off the bend, with Sire De Grugy immediately in his slipstream. In a flash this was over as a contest.
Jamie Moore waited until after two out before making his move and then let out an inch of rein.
The rest is history.
Sire De Grugy instantly surged into the lead, flicked across the last with aplomb and swept away up the final hill to score unextended by six lengths from Somersby with Module back in third.
Jamie Moore was ecstatic in the wake of such a scintillating display on the part of his partner.
He said: “I’ve got a good rapport with this horse, I love him to pieces.
“It is all down to him and a great effort by dad as well. This horse has had no credit this season, as far as I’m concerned.
“This is tremendous for all of the family, it proves we can do it. He has proved today, at a track he hates and on ground he doesn’t like, what a good horse he is.
“I love this horse, apart from my family, he is next best. He has been an absolute star to me.
“Lucy, my wife, and my two girls are here, Ryan came as well, Hayley (sister) is at home, Josh (brother) is at Huntingdon and mum and dad are here. These days don’t come for a jockey like me and today it has done.
“They went flat out, he travelled around, jumped brilliantly and picked up when I asked him.
“Even Ryan said I gave him a good ride and I’m pleased about that. I had never ridden a Festival winner and that plays on your mind a little.”
“I said to Ruby (Walsh, aboard Arvika Ligeonniere) at the top of the hill, ‘What should I do now? I’m still going well.’
” Ruby said, ‘Just follow Special Tiara’. I have to thank Ruby as well in a bit.’’
Sire De Grugy returned to a rapturous reception, with Moore’s jockey colleagues providing a guard of honour.
A clearly emotional Gary Moore said: “The guard of honour the lads gave Jamie meant a lot, it just proves what a popular person he is. I’ve not seen that done for a long time.
“It annoys me that this horse doesn’t get the credit he deserves, he can’t do any more than what he has done.
“It was all about Sprinter Sacre and someone wrote the other day that this race should be done under the trade descriptions act because the Queen Mother Chase isn’t right.’’
Of course Sprinter Sacre, a magnificent racehorse when on song, was greatly missed, but nothing should be taken away from Sire De Grugy, who essentially won this doing handstands.
Continuing Moore Snr said: “Jamie has given him a peach of a ride and I’m thrilled for everybody. I didn’t see the finish.
“I saw him jump the last and then couldn’t see, because there were too many people in the way.
“It was great to see Ryan here today as well, it meant quite a lot. This means so much to me and my family.
“This is something I thought could happen, but these things don’t happen very often. I suppose I’m very lucky to have such a great family.
“This horse is such a professional and very easy to train. He did tread on a stone 10 days ago, which was a bit of a worry, but was right the next day.
“I said to Jamie, ‘I’d rather he got there (to the front) too late than too early’ and he did it perfectly.’’
Ryan Moore remarked: “I am really pleased for Jamie, I thought he gave the horse a most beautiful ride. Jamie has waited a long time for this.’’
Somersby’s trainer, Mick Channon, said: “He’s run wonderfully, he unseated last time out, so we weren’t sure what would happen today. He’s just been beaten by a better horse.’’
Sizing Europe, now a 12-year-old, ran a cracker to claim fourth place and continues to be a credit to his trainer, Henry De Bromhead.
His rider, Andrew Lynch, said: “He ran a blinder and I couldn’t ask for more from him.’’
