KEMPTON REWIND: Faugheen clears away with ease in the 2014 Christmas Hurdle

With his unbeaten record still intact, Faugheen’s final stop on the road to the 2015 Cheltenham Festival came in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

The then six-year-old had been mightily impressive over obstacles, winning all seven of his starts under rules.

Willie Mullins’ rising star had only the one run under his belt that season before heading to the Christmas Festival, landing the Ascot Hurdle the month previously.

The Irish-bred gelding cruised throughout the contest and he pushed in front of Blue Heron on the turn into the home straight.

After jumping the second last, Faugheen showed his class by easing away from the chasing pack and found himself five lengths clear at the final fence.

Mullins’ talent did make a mistake going over the last but he continued to power on down the straight, winning by eight lengths.

Faugheen would go on to win the Champion Hurdle that season before going on to win seven more Grade 1s over both hurdles and fences.

Even though ‘the Machine’ is now 13, he is still yet to be retired.

DID YOU KNOW? Faugheen was one of five horses to win this contest and the Champion Hurdle in the same season with Lanzarote (1973-74), Dawn Run (1983-84), Kribensis (1989-90) and Epatante (2019-20) all achieving the feat.