Trainer Henry de Bromhead has revealed that the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle will be named at next year’s Cheltenham Festival in honor of his late son Jack.
Jack de Bromhead died tragically aged 13 after an accident involving a pony during the opening day of the Glenbeigh Festival on Rossbeigh Beach in September.
Henry plans to target some of his horses for the Cheltenham race on March 16, including Friday’s Down Royal winner Magical Zoe.
The Bromhead said: “Michael O’Leary (of sponsor Ryanair) has been very kindly told that they are going to call the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle the Jack de Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, which is incredible.
“Hope to put a Willie (Mullins) on it and try to fill the field if at all possible! We’ll be aiming for sure [Magical Zoe] to there I would imagine.”
Jack was the only son of Henry and Heather, who also have two daughters in Georgia and Mia, Jack’s twin brother.
Jockeys and officials lead a minute of silence in honor of Jack de Bromhead at the Curragh
King George’s Plan for Envoi Allen
Magical Zoe was one of two notable winners for The Bromhead at Down Royal, with Envoi Allen landing Grade One glory in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase.
The Bromhead now expects the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day to be next on the agenda after returning to winning ways.
Rachel Blackmore celebrates after Envoi Allen’s victory in the Grade One Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal
“He seems good. He was really good recently and we were very happy with him,” said De Bromhead. “I had clearly gone in the wrong direction with the journey last year. He seemed to love it, he stayed very well and we were very happy with him.
“I think the plan is to go for the King George, if everyone likes to. That was our plan, if the north (Down Royal) went well, we said we would try.”
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