The 2003 Grand National hero Monty's Pass dies aged 29

Grand National winner Monty’s Pass — (Image credit: credit unknown)

The brilliant racehorse Monty’s Pass, who won the 2003 Grand National with jockey Barry Geraghty, has died at the age of 29.

The Jimmy Mangan-trained gelding won eight of his 57 races and was placed in dozens more during an impressive career over fences. Among his greatest achievements were winning the Kerry National in 2002 and the Aintree showpiece the following year.

The son of Montelimar started out in point-to-pointing before he went chasing, and Barry first took the reins on a seven-year-old Monty’s Pass in 2000. The pair finished fifth in the Mildmay of Fleet Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in 2002 and came second in the Topham Chase over the Aintree fences shortly afterwards, but their standout moment came in 2003 when they won the Grand National by a staggering 12 lengths in the colours of the Dee Racing Syndicate.

“When you dream of winning the Grand National as a kid, it’s a titanic struggle all the way to the line and you win by a short head, you never dream of winning the Grand National celebrating with 100 yards to go,” said Barry, who was just 23 when he claimed the sport’s most famous race. “The race was just plain sailing for him – it was just ridiculously easy how it all unfolded. It was just magic.

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Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.

‘He proved fairy tales do come true for ordinary people’: Grand National hero dies aged 29

Trainer Jimmy Mangan had targeted the 2003 Grand National and, according to Barry, the conditions were ideal for Monty’s Pass that year.

“He was fourth in the race the following year with top weight – the ground was probably a bit slow for him – then he retired after the next one.”

“He also won the Kerry National at Listowel [in 2002] and his jumping was key that day too because there were a good few fallers. But he excelled round Aintree because it’s the ultimate jumping test. I never rode another horse like him round Aintree, he was just so clever. Absolute dynamite.”

The trainer’s daughter Jane Mangan told RTE on Sunday: “A few days ago my family said goodbye to the horse that made their dreams reality.

“The day was always going to come, it was always going to be sad, but rather than it be sad, we are grateful to have had him and for him to prove that fairytales do come true for ordinary people.”

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