De Bromhead ‘delighted’ with Festival favourite Europe
With the majority of the two miles completed in the featured Queen Mother Champion Chase, the 12-year old was still there, legs pumping, alongside the best of the young ‘uns and the romantic in all of us dared to dream.
Three years after his triumph in this same race, and four since his first Festival win in the Arkle, the horse De Bromhead had once admitted was “like a child to me” had not won any of his half-dozen Grade Ones in the previous two years.
Alas, it wasn’t to be but the reception that greeted the eventual fourth-place finisher when Andrew Lynch guided him into the winners’ enclosure spoke volumes for the affection with which the animal is held.
“He ran a blinder,” said a contented De Bromhead. “I thought he was going to be firmly involved coming down the hill and he just petered out. But it was a super run and I’m delighted with him.
“We couldn’t have asked for anything more. I suppose, beforehand, you start dreaming and hoping of more, but sure every time he runs he runs his heart out. He gives his all. He’s been amazing for us.”
How special is he? De Bromhead’s own website describes Sizing Europe as the “horse of a lifetime” and the trainer himself went further yesterday by claiming he was in “awe” of the bay who also chased Sprinter Sacre round these parts not so long ago.
“It’s easy when you’ve horses like him,” said De Bromhead who sidestepped queries as to the horse’s future. “He’s still enthusiastic, still mad keen for the game. We’ll just see now. Sit down and see what we’ll do going forward.”
Whatever the future, there will always be the memories of 2011 when Master Minded and Big Zeb were the hottest of favourites for the Queen Mum only for the former to make a huge mistake at the second last and the latter to be beaten by five lengths.
“Oh sure, it was a super day,” said the Waterford-based trainer when asked to turn back time. “Amazing. Everything went right for us and it was a great day but it feels a long time ago now.”
