Many Clouds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Many Clouds |
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Leighton Aspell and Many Clouds in 2014
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| Sire | Cloudings |
| Grandsire | Sadler's Wells |
| Dam | Bobbing Back |
| Damsire | Bob Back |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 21 April 2007 |
| Died | 28 January 2017 (aged 9) |
| Country | Ireland |
| Colour | Brown |
| Breeder | Aidan Aherne |
| Owner | Trevor Hemmings |
| Trainer | Oliver Sherwood |
| Record | 27: 12-7-0 |
| Earnings | £928,000 |
| Major wins | |
| Hennessy Gold Cup (2014) Cotswold Chase (2015, 2017) Grand National (2015) |
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| Awards | |
| British Jump Racing Horse of the Year (2015) | |
| Honours | |
| Many Clouds Chase at Aintree | |
Many Clouds (born April 21, 2007 – died January 28, 2017) was a famous Thoroughbred racehorse. He was born in Ireland but trained in Britain. Many Clouds is best known for winning the exciting 2015 Grand National race.
After being sold as a young foal, he moved to England. There, he was trained by Oliver Sherwood for a special type of racing called National Hunt racing. This kind of racing involves horses jumping over obstacles like hurdles and fences. Many Clouds was ridden in all his races by jockey Leighton Aspell.
He started his career in flat races, then moved to hurdle races, and finally to steeplechases. These are races where horses jump over large fences. Many Clouds became a top steeplechaser. In 2015, he won the Grand National, carrying a heavy weight. He was a very tough and brave horse who loved to race.
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Many Clouds' Early Life and Training
Many Clouds was a large, brown gelding, which is a male horse that has been gelded. He was bred in Ireland by Aidan Aherne. His father was a horse named Cloudings, and his mother was Bobbing Back. His mother also produced another successful racehorse called The Tullow Tank.
In November 2007, when he was just a foal, Many Clouds was sold for €6,000. He was bought by Highflyer Bloodstock. Throughout his entire racing career, Many Clouds was trained by Oliver Sherwood. His training stable was in Upper Lambourn in Berkshire, England.
Many Clouds' Racing Career Highlights
Starting Out: Flat and Hurdle Races (2011–2013)
Many Clouds began his racing journey in National Hunt Flat races. These are races on a flat track without jumps, often used to get young horses used to racing. He won his very first race at Wetherby Racecourse in February 2012.
The next season, he moved on to Novice hurdle races. In these races, horses jump over smaller obstacles called hurdles. He finished second in his first hurdle race at Aintree. Later, he won races at Ascot Racecourse and Exeter Racecourse. He also placed second in a big hurdle race at Sandown Park.
Moving to Steeplechases (2013–2014)
In the 2013–14 season, Many Clouds started racing over larger fences in what are called novice chases. He quickly showed his talent, winning his first race over fences at Carlisle Racecourse. He also won another race at Wetherby.
He proved himself against tougher competition, finishing second in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices' Chase. Even though he had a fall in one race at the Cheltenham Festival, he still finished fourth in another important race, the Mildmay Novices' Chase, at Aintree.
Becoming a Champion Chaser (2014–2015)
This season was a huge success for Many Clouds. He started by winning the Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle. Then, he won the famous Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury Racecourse. This was a big win, and his trainer, Oliver Sherwood, was very proud.
In January, Many Clouds won the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham. This win made him a strong contender for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, one of the most important steeplechase races. He finished sixth in the Gold Cup, which was still a good effort against the best horses.
Winning the Grand National (2015)
On April 11, 2015, Many Clouds took part in the 2015 Grand National at Aintree Racecourse. This is one of the most famous and challenging horse races in the world, known for its long distance and big fences. Many Clouds carried a heavy weight of 11 stone 9 pounds (about 74 kg).
His trainer, Oliver Sherwood, initially wanted to wait another year before running him in the Grand National. However, his owner, Trevor Hemmings, and jockey Leighton Aspell decided it was the right time. Starting at odds of 25/1, Many Clouds stayed close to the front throughout the race.
He took the lead five fences from the finish and held on bravely to win by nearly two lengths. His winning time was the second fastest in the race's history. He was also the first horse since Red Rum in 1974 to win with such a heavy weight. Many Clouds also made history by winning both the Hennessy Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same season.
After the race, Many Clouds seemed a bit tired, but he quickly recovered. Jockey Leighton Aspell praised him, saying, "He's all heart and he gave me the best ride I have ever had over these fences."
Later Seasons and Final Race (2015–2017)
After his Grand National win, Many Clouds continued to race. In the 2015–16 season, he finished second in a race at Aintree and also second in the Cotswold Chase. He won a race at Kelso Racecourse before competing in the 2016 Grand National. He finished 16th in that race.
In his final season (2016–17), Many Clouds won a race at Aintree in December. His last race was the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on January 28, 2017. He faced a very strong competitor, Thistlecrack, who was previously undefeated. Many Clouds jumped perfectly and fought hard to win the race by a very small margin in a photo-finish.
Many Clouds' Passing
Sadly, shortly after winning his second Cotswold Chase in January 2017, Many Clouds collapsed and passed away. Veterinary staff quickly attended to him, but he could not be saved. His trainer, Oliver Sherwood, said, "I always said he'd die for you, and he has today, doing what he loved most."
A special examination later showed that he died from a severe exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. This means he had bleeding in his lungs caused by the intense effort of the race. The examination also confirmed there were no other health problems. Many Clouds was remembered as a truly special horse who gave his all in every race. He was named the top staying steeplechaser in Britain and Ireland for that season.
