Trainer Henry de Bromhead has revealed the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next year will be named in honour of his late son Jack.
Jack de Bromhead tragically died at the age of 13 following a pony racing accident during the opening day of the Glenbeigh Festival on Rossbeigh Beach in September.
Henry is set to aim a number of his horses at the Cheltenham race on March 16, including Friday’s Down Royal winner Magical Zoe.
De Bromhead said: “Michael O’Leary (of sponsors Ryanair) has very kindly said they are going to name the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle the Jack de Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, which is incredible.
“I’m hoping to do a Willie (Mullins) on it and try and fill the field if at all possible! We’ll certainly be aiming [Magical Zoe] towards there I would imagine.”
Jack was the only son of Henry and Heather, who also have two daughters in Georgia and Mia, the twin of Jack.
King George the plan for Envoi Allen
Magical Zoe was one of two notable winners for De Bromhead at Down Royal, with Envoi Allen landing Grade One glory in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase.
De Bromhead now expects the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day to be next on the agenda following his return to winning ways.
“He seems good. He was really good the other day and we were delighted with him,” De Bromhead said. “I had obviously gone the wrong way with the trip last year. He seemed to love it, he stayed really well and we were delighted with him.
“I think the plan is to go for the King George, if everyone is happy to do that. That was our plan, if the north (Down Royal) went well we said we’d give it a go.”