Tiger Roll to be inducted into Cheltenham Racecourse Hall of Fame
He's one of the Festival's most successful horses of all time
One of the most successful horses in Cheltenham Festival history is going to be inducted into their Hall of Fame. Two-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll won 5 races at Cheltenham, including the Cross Country Chase in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
He was retired earlier this year at the age of 12 and will be put into the Hall of Fame at the first day of the November meeting next Friday 11th November.
Bred to be a Flat race performer and originally purchased on behalf of Godolphin, Tiger Roll won on his only start for West Country handler Nigel Hawke before being sent to the Brightwells Sale at Cheltenham in December 2013, when he was purchased by agent Mags O’Toole on behalf of Gigginstown House Stud and sent into training with Gordon Elliott.
Tiger Roll also won the Grand National at Aintree in 2018 and 2019.
This was the first time a horse had won back-to-back Grand Nationals since Red Rum in 1973/1974.
It was after his run at The Festival earlier this year, when he went down to by three-quarters of a length to stable companion Delta Work in the Cross Country Chase, that Tiger Roll was retired at the age of 12.
Paying tribute to Tiger Roll, Gigginstown House Stud's Michael O’Leary said:
“All of us who were so fortunate to be associated with Tiger Roll from Nigel Hawke, to Mags O’Toole, to my brother Eddie, Gordon Elliott, and his outstanding team at Cullentra, as well as Anita, myself and our children, realise how fortunate and privileged we have been to share in Tiger Roll’s epic journey.
“He was a little horse, but was brave as a lion, and had the heart of a tiger. It was a privilege to return year after year to Cheltenham and Aintree, where he distinguished himself with every run. He will be most remembered for his two Grand National wins, however his five victories at the Cheltenham Festival over different courses and distances was perhaps his greatest achievement, and a testament to his unquenchable spirit, and his love for Jump racing.
“We are all privileged to have played a tiny part in the legend of Tiger Roll.”