Papillon (horse)
Papillon (1991 – 2017) was an Irish racehorse formerly trained at Greenhills stables, in Kill, County Kildare. His most notable success was winning the 2000 Grand National.
| Papillon | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Lafontaine |
| Dam | Glens Princess |
| Damsire | Prince Hansel |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 5 June 1991 |
| Died | 3 May 2017 (aged 25) |
| Country | Ireland |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | E McCormack |
| Owner | Mrs J Maxwell Moran |
| Trainer | Ted Walsh |
| Record | 39: 9-5-2 |
| Earnings | £434,203 |
| Major wins | |
| Ladbroke Trophy Chase (1998) Newlands Chase (1999) Grand National (2000) Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase (1998, 2000) | |
Papillon was owned by American Mrs Betty Moran, owner of Brushwood Stable. She was not a fan of the Grand National and it took considerable persuasion before she would allow Papillon to be entered for the race in 2000.[1]
Papillon had started the day with odds of 33–1 but was backed down to 10-1 by the time the race began. He was a first ever ride in the race for 20-year-old jockey Ruby Walsh, and was trained by Ruby's father Ted Walsh. When Papillon crossed the finishing line to win the world's richest steeplechase he became an instant punters' favourite. Papillon previously came a very close second in the 1998 Irish Grand National to Bobbyjo under top-weight.[2]
In 2001 Papillon returned to Aintree to attempt to defend his winning record. However, conditions were completely different from the previous year, as the race was run on very heavy ground and Papillon carried more weight. He was brought down at the 19th fence but Ruby Walsh realised there would be very few completions and remounted the horse to finish last of the four finishers, earning £25,000 for doing so.
Papillon was retired at the end of the 2002/03 season, having earned his connections over £400,000 in win and place prize money.
Papillon died on 3 May 2017, aged 26.[3]
Pedigree
| Sire Lafontaine 1977 |
Sham 1970 |
Pretense | Endeavour II |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imitation | |||
| Sequoia | Princequillo | ||
| The Squaw II | |||
| Valva 1965 |
Vandale (FRA) | Plassy | |
| Vanille | |||
| Lilya (FRA) | Clarion (FRA) | ||
| La Fougueuse | |||
| Dam Glens Princess 1977 |
Prince Hansel 1961 |
The Phoenix | Chateau Bouscaut (FRA) |
| Fille de Poule | |||
| Saucy Wilhelmina | William of Valence (FRA) | ||
| Merry Perrin | |||
| Deep Glen 1972 |
Deep Run | Pampered King II | |
| Trial by Fire (FRA) | |||
| Glenawina | Soldado | ||
| Rowley's Last |
References
- "Papillon 2000 Grand National winner". Grand National. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- "1998 Irish Grand National". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- Brian Sheerin (3 May 2017). "Walsh pays tribute to 'horse of a lifetime' Papillon". Racing Post.
- "Papillon Pedigree". Equineline. Retrieved 7 April 2016.