Former point-to-pointer and Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, Denman, has been put to sleep at the age of 18.
Denman was bred in County Cork by Colman O’Flynn, where he was sent to the Tattersalls Irish Derby Sale in 2004 as a four-year-old. Having been not sold at the sales, Denman was then put into training with the aim of running him in a point-to-point.
The son of Presenting made his competitive debut in a five-year-old geldings’ maiden at Liscarroll in March 2005 for his handler Adrian Maguire and the O’Flynn family. Winning by an impressive 12 lengths that day, Denman was soon bought by Paul Barber who together with his other owner, Harry Findlay, sent their new charge to champion trainer, Paul Nicholls.
Denman got off the mark seven months later at the first time of asking in a Novice Hurdle at Wincanton. The five-year-old would remain unbeaten for his next three starts, one of which was in the Grade One Novice hurdle at Cheltenham in January 2006.
Making his Cheltenham festival debut two months later where he finished runner-up to Nicanor in the Grade One Royal & Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle, Denman won on his chasing debut the following October and following three unbeaten runs over fences, he returned to Prestbury Park where he landed the Grade 1 Royal & Sun Alliance Chase by 10 lengths over Snowy Morning.
Denman soon became known as the “Tank” as he was seen as an old-fashioned chaser due to his size and relentless galloping he displayed each time he ran.
Denman posted a heroic display in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Chase in December of 2007 when he defied top weight to win the Grade Three contest by 11 lengths ahead of Dream Alliance.
Just 27 days later Denman returned to Irish soil to land the Grade One Lexus chase which is now known as the Leopardstown chase. Leading for much of the contest, Denman dug deep in the closing stages under Ruby Walsh having been strongly pressed by the eventual runner-up Mossbank to secure a four length win with The Listener back in third. That success provided his rider, Ruby Walsh with his second victory in the race following Rince Ri’s win in 2000.
An impressive 20 length success in the Grade Two Aon Chase in February left the popular gelding ready for his next appearance at Cheltenham.
Denman added another victory to his growing list of victories when he overcame his stable mate, Kauto Star by seven lengths to win the Grade One Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Twelve months later, the pair met again in the historic race and produced one of the most memorable performances which saw Denman finish second to Kauto Star.
A second victory in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Chase followed later that year and Denman finished runner-up in two more Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup’s.
The iconic horse retired in December 2011 having earned over £ 1,100,000 in prize money.
His most principle wins are listed below:
STANJAMES.COM CHALLOW NOVICE GRADE 1 HURDLE AT CHELTENHAM
STAN JAMES BERKSHIRE GRADE 2 NOVICE CHASE AT NEWBURY
ROYAL & SUN ALLIANCE GRADE 1 CHASE AT CHELTENHAM
HENNESSY COGNAC GOLD CUP GRADE 3 HANDICAP CHASE AT NEWBURY
THE LEXUS CHASE AT LEOPARDSTOWN
THE AON GRADE 2 CHASE AT NEWBURY
TOTESPORT CHELTENHAM GRADE 1 GOLD CUP CHASE
HENNESSY GOLD CUP GRADE 3 HANDICAP CHASE AT NEWBURY
We are saddened to hear Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Denman died yesterday. 'The Tank' won his 5yo maiden at @liscarrollp2p in 2005 for Adrian Maguire and will be fondly remembered.
— p2p.ie (@irishp2p) June 6, 2018
READ: https://t.co/l3bSqBkJmQ#TheTank #RIP #denman pic.twitter.com/hnOqjud1KJ
