Bula (horse)
| Bula | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Raincheck |
| Grandsire | Tourbillon |
| Dam | Pongo's Fancy |
| Damsire | Golden Chain |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1965 |
| Country | Ireland |
| Colour | Brown |
| Owner | Captain Bill Edwards-Heathcote |
| Trainer | Fred Winter |
| Record | 51: 34 wins |
| Earnings | £69,672 |
| Major wins | |
|
Gloucestershire Hurdle (Div II) (1970) Osborne Hurdle (1970,1972) Benson & Hedges Handicap Hurdle (1970) Mill House Hurdle (1971,1973) Kingwell Hurdle (1971,1972) Champion Hurdle (1971, 1972) Welsh Champion Hurdle (1971) Skeaping Trophy Hurdle (1971) Cheltenham Trial Hurdle (1972) Black and White Whiskey Gold Cup (1973) Benson & Hedges Novices' Chase (1973) Fairlawne Chase (1975,1976) Sundew Chase (1975,1976) Gainsborough Chase (1976) |
|
| Awards | |
| Champion NH Horse (1970/1971) Champion NH Horse (1971/1972) |
|
| Honours | |
| former Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham (now International Hurdle) | |
Bula (1965–1977) was a British National Hunt horse who won two Champion Hurdles and many other top races over hurdles and later over fences. He ran during what is considered a ‘golden period’ for two mile hurdlers in the 1970s, which featured such champions as Persian War, Comedy Of Errors, Night Nurse, Monksfield and Sea Pigeon. Bula was “a remarkably consistent, versatile and durable jumper” and was known for his come-from-behind style.
Bula was a brown gelding sired by Raincheck, who had run unplaced in the 1951 Derby and was a son of Prix du Jockey Club winner Tourbillion. Bula’s dam Pongo’s Fancy was a winner over hurdles and the great granddaughter of Triple Crown winner Gainsborough. Bula was bought by Captain Bill Edwards-Heathcote in Dublin in 1968 for 1,350 guineas, and subsequently put into training with Fred Winter in the summer of 1969.
Upon arrival at Winter’s yard, Bula “looked more like a warhorse than a racehorse.” He was also known for being a bit of a tearaway on the training gallops, and was described as “a lunatic” by his stable lad Vincent Brooks.
Bula made his racing debut in the Chaldon Novices’ Hurdle (Div II) at Lingfield in November. Although he jumped the first three flights poorly, he easily overtook the leaders to win by six lengths under jockey Stan Mellor. He followed up in similar style a week later at Worcester, before completing a three timer in novice hurdles at Wincanton.
Bula next ran in the second division of the Gloucestershire Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Sent off the 7/2 favourite, he rounded off his novice campaign in winning by six lengths from Odeum, bringing his winning streak to six.
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Wikipedia