533:
Cheltenham, Carl
Llewellyn restrained the horse at the back of the field and was still last of the four runners jumping the third last as Ask Tom and Strong Promise contested the lead. As Ask Tom weakened, Farrant moved Martha's Son forward on the inside and overtook Strong Promise approaching the final fence before drawing away on the run-in to win by five lengths. After the race Forster said "He's got two speeds. One is totally switched off and relaxed. The other is when you press the button and he fires away". Forster's assistant Henry Daly later recalled "Norman Williamson was on Strong Promise and he couldn't believe his eyes at the speed with which Martha's Son jumped past his horse. Martha's Son destroyed them."
518:
Martha's Son made further progress on the outside and jumped the second last in a close fourth behind Ask Tom, Viking
Flagship and the weakening Strong Promise before moving into third on the final turn. Approaching the final fence, Martha's Son moved up between Viking Flagship on the inside and Ask Tom and the outer and then jumped into the lead at the obstacle. He steadily increased his advantage on the run-in and won by two and a half lengths from Ask Tom, with Viking Flagship half a length away in third. The winning owners, Ward-Thomas and Hartigan were both seriously ill at the time and entered the winners circle on
382:
at the same track in March, he remained unbeaten over fences beating three opponents at odds of 4/6. Almost all of the geldings races up to this point had been over two miles, but for his final appearance of the season he was moved up to two and a half miles for a novice chase at
Sandown on 29 March. Starting at odds of 8/15, he took the lead at the second last fence and accelerated clear in the closing stages to win by fourteen lengths from Yorkshire Gale.
429:). Farrant restrained the gelding in the early stages before moving up to take the lead from Coulton at the second last and stayed on strongly on the run-in to win by two and a half lengths from Egypt Mill Prince. On 8 February Martha's Son attempted to extend his winning run to nine when he started favourite for the Grade 1 Comet Chase over two and a half miles at Ascot. His opponents again included Coulton and Deep Sensation as well as the
406:. Martha's Son led from the ninth fence until the final obstacle when he made a bad jumping error and was overtaken by Deep Sensation, but rallied on the run-in to regain the advantage and won by one and a quarter lengths. Moved up to two miles five furlongs on Boxing Day, Martha's Son won his seventh consecutive race when he won the Mid Season Chase at Wincanton.
381:
on 3 December, taking the lead after the last and winning by three and a half lengths from the favourite Rodeo Star. When matched against more experienced opposition in a handicap chase at
Huntingdon in January and won again, beating Spree Cross by two and a half lengths. Returning to novice company
517:
and the 1997 Victor
Chandler Chase came next in the betting market ahead of Martha's Son, who started at 9/1. Farrant held up Martha's Son at the rear of the field before making progress approaching the third last where the leader Strong Promise made a bad mistake allowing Ask Tom to take the lead.
398:
on 2 November. He took the lead approaching the last fence and went clear on the run-in to win by eight lengths from Clay County, taking his winning run to five. Three weeks later Martha's Son was moved up in class to contest the
Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon in which he was matched against the
573:
Tim
Forster, who died in April 1999, called Martha's Son "the best I've ever had. He was a child's pony at home and a tiger on the racecourse – all he wanted to do was please". Rodney Farrant, who retired from riding on 2000 at the age of twenty-seven said of Martha's Son that "when he was right,
569:
condition affecting the tendons and the knee. Despite careful nursing and management, he became unable to strengthen his forelimb and to lock his knee, so he could neither be ridden nor turned out without significant lameness. Rather than keep him permanently confined, he was quietly put to sleep
532:
On 4 April at
Aintree, Martha's son faced a rematch with Ask Tom, Viking Flagship and Strong Promise in the Melling Chase over two and a half miles. Strong Promise was again made favourite on 9/4, with Martha's Son second choice on 5/2 ahead of Viking Flagship (11/4) and Ask Tom (4/1). As at
763:
803:
504:
On 12 March 1997, Martha's Son made his first and only appearance at the
Cheltenham Festival when he was one of six horses to contest the thirty-ninth running of the Champion Chase. The six-year-old Strong Promise headed the betting after beating
564:
in May 1999 and buried at
Downton Hall. Henry Daly, who took over the training license when Forster retired owing to poor health, explained "although the injury healed well, the legacy of previous problems with the same leg resulted in a chronic
448:
three weeks earlier. After taking the lead after the second last he was overtaken on the run-in and sustained his first defeat in seventeen months as he finished third, beaten a short head and a length by Viking Flagship and Deep Sensation.
224:
bred in the United Kingdom by Michael Ward-Thomas. He was sired by Idiot's Delight a successful National Hunt stallion whose other progeny included Cavvie's Clown (three-time winner of the Jim Ford Chase and runner up in the
300:
on 28 December 1991. After the race, Forster in a typically downbeat assessment told Ward-Thomas "I will never, as long as I train, win a steeplechase with this horse. He will never jump fences". Starting a
548:
In December 1998, it was announced that the horse had failed to recover from the injury he had sustained in the Peterborough Chase and was retired from racing. He was sent to spend his retirement at
545:
but was pulled up and immediately dismounted by Farrant after jumping four fences. He was found to have sustained a serious muscle injury which "tore a large muscle away from the back of an elbow"
317:
a month later he was again favoured in the betting but was beaten ten lengths into second by Steveadon. On 7 March Martha's Son was matched against more experienced opponents when he contested a
212:
regarded him as the best horse he had ever trained. Martha's Son was retired from racing after failing to recover from serious muscular injuries in a race in November 1997. He died in May 1999.
276:
in the summer of 1994. Forster was well known for his pessimism; before the 1980 Grand National his instructions to the rider of Ben Nevis, the eventual winner, were "keep remounting".
345:
in November, carrying 150 pounds and beating seven opponents at odds of 13/2. He continued to rise in the handicap weights and carried 153 pounds when winning a more valuable race at
313:-trained Lusty Light. On his next appearance in January, the gelding started favourite but fell at the second last when disputing the lead with the eventual winner Knight In Side. At
497:, he had little opportunity to show his wellbeing as he fell at the second fence of a race won by Viking Flagship. In order to prepare the horse for his next run he was taken to
433:
winner Amtrak Express. He overtook Coulton at the third last and went clear to win "very easily" by seven lengths despite being eased down by Farrant in the closing stages.
457:
Martha's Son made only one appearance in the 1995/1996 season. At Huntingdon in November he started 10/11 favourite for the Peterborough Chase but was beaten a neck by the
1280:
188:
events for the first two years of his racing career, he demonstrated dramatic improvement when switched to steeplechasing, winning nine consecutive races including the
373:
Martha's Son began his next season in handicap hurdles, finishing fourth at Newbury in October and second at Sandown in October. In the latter race he was ridden by
1275:
409:
Martha's Son's first race of 1995 saw him carrying 149 pounds and starting at odds of 3/1 for the Grade 2 Victor Chandler Handicap Chase over two miles at
522:. Ward-Thomas said "We had to run, as none of us may be around next year". Paddy Hartigan died less than four months later. Forster later admitted to the
876:
377:, who became his regular jockey. He was then switched to larger obstacles and began to compete in novice chases. He made a successful chasing debut at
493:
After being off the racecourse for fifteen months, Martha's Son returned in the two-mile Emblem Chase at Kempton Park on 22 February 1997. Ridden by
200:. He returned after a long injury lay-off to produce his best form as a ten-year-old in the spring of 1997, defeating strong fields in both the
501:
for a schooling session but his participation in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham was in doubt until the last moment owing to the firm ground.
365:
later that month. The gelding began to struggle after the fifth hurdle and was pulled up before the last. He did not race again that season.
509:
at level weights in the Comet Chase. The joint-second favourites were Viking Flagship (winner in 1994 and 1995) and the Irish challenger
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that he never expected the gelding to complete the race, saying "I was sure he'd clip the top of one and turn over".
514:
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337:, beating Tel E Thon by five lengths under a weight of 144 pounds. After finishing third in a similar event at
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394:
winner General Pershing and the Northumberland Gold Cup winner Clay County in a two-mile handicap chase at
422:
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244:
During his racing career, Martha's Son was owned by Ward-Thomas in partnership with Paddy Hartigan, a
1112:
541:
Martha's Son returned in the Peterborough Chase on 25 November 1997. He started joint-favourite with
482:
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and started 11/10 favourite ahead of Viking Flagship, who had won his second Champion Chase at the
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outsider he recovered from interference to take the lead at the second last hurdle and won by five
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325:. Ridden by Captain C Ward-Thomas he carried 146 pounds and finished ninth of the ten runners.
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was more than thirty lengths back in third. Martha's Son was being prepared for a run in the
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Martha's Son began his second season on 12 October with a win in a handicap hurdle at
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264:. Forster moved his string of horses, including Martha's Son, to his new base at
237:). Martha's Son's dam, Lady Martha was a descendant of Loch Cash, the dam of the
659:
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474:
261:
252:. The gelding was sent into training with Captain Tim Forster (trainer of three
209:
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485:
at Kempton on Boxing Day when he sustained an injury which ended his season.
649:
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560:. His physical condition, however, continued to deteriorate and he was
390:
On his first appearance of the 1994/1995 season Martha's Son faced the
64:
721:
269:
605:
436:
On his final appearance of the season Martha's Son contested the
353:
who had ridden the horse in his last four races, was replaced by
877:"David Ashforth shares his fond memories of Captain Tim Forster"
229:), Clever Folly (winner of twenty eight races including the
1088:"Obituary: Ward-Thomas loses battle after long illness"
465:, to whom he was conceding four pounds. The veteran
138:
130:
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112:
104:
96:
86:
78:
70:
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52:
44:
34:
26:
21:
220:Martha's Son was a bay gelding with a small white
583:Pedigree of Martha's Son (GB), bay gelding, 1987
924:"Ladbroke Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle result"
825:"Paddy Hartigan, owner of Martha's Son, is dead"
758:
756:
1157:"SON SHINES AGAIN; Top gear romp for ex-crock"
513:(winner in 1996). Ask Tom, the winner of the
8:
176:(7 May 1987 – May 1999) was a British
870:
868:
289:Martha's Son began his racing career in a
18:
946:"British Aerospace Rapier Novices' Chase"
1281:Racehorses trained in the United Kingdom
1207:
1205:
1182:
1180:
581:
108:Michael Ward-Thomas & Paddy Hartigan
1213:"Racing: Martha's Son forced to retire"
1081:
1079:
902:"Auld Lang Syne Novices' Hurdle result"
819:
817:
752:
1276:Racehorses bred in the United Kingdom
7:
417:, Storm Alert (twice winner of the
16:British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse
875:David Ashforth (19 January 2010).
341:twelve days later he won again at
14:
413:on 14 January. He was opposed by
1086:Neil Morrice (18 October 2004).
1034:"Peterborough Chase result 1995"
968:"Peterborough Chase result 1994"
574:nothing could beat that horse".
537:Final race, retirement and death
421:), Deep Sensation, Uncle Ernie (
357:when Martha's Son contested the
285:1991/1992 season: Novice Hurdles
184:rules. After competing in minor
1036:. Racing Post. 21 November 1995
970:. Racing Post. 22 November 1994
904:. Racing Post. 28 December 1991
489:1996/1997 season: Steeplechases
453:1995/1996 season: Steeplechases
419:United House Construction Chase
386:1994/1995 season: Steeplechases
369:1993/1994 season: Novice Chases
1014:. Racing Post. 8 February 1995
992:. Racing Post. 14 January 1995
990:"Victor Chandler Chase result"
782:"Idiots Delight – Stud Record"
329:1992/1993 season: Hurdle races
1:
926:. Racing Post. 2 January 1993
321:hurdle for amateur riders at
180:racehorse who competed under
1241:. Racing Post. 13 March 2000
1115:. Racing Post. 12 March 1997
948:. Racing Post. 29 March 1994
1137:. Racing Post. 4 April 1997
202:Queen Mother Champion Chase
160:Queen Mother Champion Chase
1302:
1190:. Racing Post. 27 May 1999
827:. Racing Post. 8 July 1997
741:Loch Cash (Family: 23-a)
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143:
1286:Thoroughbred family 23-a
499:Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse
477:and two editions of the
1113:"Champion Chase result"
847:"Obituary: Tim Forster"
764:"Martha's Son pedigree"
396:Haydock Park Racecourse
363:Kempton Park Racecourse
323:Sandown Park Racecourse
1239:"Farrant quits saddle"
1135:"Melling Chase result"
515:Maghull Novices' Chase
427:Mersey Novices' Hurdle
208:. His veteran trainer
1271:1999 racehorse deaths
1266:1987 racehorse births
392:Rowland Meyrick Chase
379:Nottingham Racecourse
339:Huntingdon Racecourse
233:) and Ida's Delight (
194:Victor Chandler Chase
150:Victor Chandler Chase
1012:"Comet Chase result"
590:Idiot's Delight (GB)
552:where he acted as a
483:King George VI Chase
431:Tripleprint Gold Cup
343:Wincanton Racecourse
298:Stratford Racecourse
239:King George VI Chase
1188:"Martha's Son dies"
584:
446:Cheltenham Festival
335:Fontwell Racecourse
315:Fakenham Racecourse
227:Cheltenham Gold Cup
100:Michael Ward-Thomas
804:"Lochroe pedigree"
708:Gainsborough Lady
595:Silly Season (USA)
582:
471:Whitbread Gold Cup
442:Aintree Racecourse
347:Newbury Racecourse
190:Peterborough Chase
145:Peterborough Chase
1219:. 8 December 1998
745:
744:
495:Norman Williamson
479:Racing Post Chase
467:Docklands Express
231:December Gold Cup
171:
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1064:. 4 January 1996
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673:Lady Martha (GB)
585:
556:for the trainer
469:, winner of the
411:Ascot Racecourse
359:Lanzarote Hurdle
258:Letcombe Bassett
241:winner Lochroe.
235:Castleford Chase
19:
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1217:The Independent
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853:. 22 April 1999
851:The Independent
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713:Cloonadoon (GB)
679:
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633:
596:
591:
589:
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491:
459:Nicky Henderson
455:
425:) and Coulton (
415:Viking Flagship
401:Champion Chaser
388:
371:
331:
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218:
163:
158:
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30:Idiot's Delight
17:
12:
11:
5:
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1165:. 5 April 1997
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632:Dolphinet (GB)
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404:Deep Sensation
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375:Rodney Farrant
370:
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355:Brendan Powell
351:Carl Llewellyn
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254:Grand National
250:antique dealer
246:civil engineer
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82:United Kingdom
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784:. Racing Post
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728:Loves Legend
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621:Straight Deal
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511:Klairon Davis
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438:Melling Chase
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423:Aintree Chase
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280:Racing career
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182:National Hunt
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1243:. Retrieved
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1192:. Retrieved
1167:. Retrieved
1162:Daily Record
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1139:. Retrieved
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1117:. Retrieved
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1095:. Retrieved
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1066:. Retrieved
1061:Daily Mirror
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994:. Retrieved
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906:. Retrieved
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884:. Retrieved
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855:. Retrieved
850:
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829:. Retrieved
807:
798:
786:. Retrieved
776:
767:
698:Mrs Siddons
617:Double Deal
572:
570:last week."
567:carpal canal
558:Michael Bell
547:
540:
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523:
503:
492:
456:
435:
408:
389:
372:
349:in January.
332:
311:Jenny Pitman
288:
266:Downton Hall
256:winners) at
243:
219:
178:Thoroughbred
174:Martha's Son
173:
172:
39:Silly Season
22:Martha's Son
1245:29 December
1223:29 December
1194:29 December
1169:29 December
1141:29 December
1119:29 December
1097:29 December
1092:Racing Post
1068:29 December
1056:"FROSTBITE"
1040:29 December
1018:29 December
996:29 December
974:29 December
952:29 December
930:29 December
908:29 December
886:29 December
881:Racing Post
857:29 December
831:29 December
788:29 December
660:Ocean Swell
525:Racing Post
475:Martell Cup
262:Oxfordshire
210:Tim Forster
198:Comet Chase
155:Comet Chase
117:Tim Forster
48:Lady Martha
1260:Categories
808:Equineline
768:Equineline
748:References
702:Hard Sauce
678:Sidon (GB)
656:Sea Gipsy
562:euthanised
274:Shropshire
216:Background
139:Major wins
126:26: 15-3-2
74:7 May 1987
733:Loch May
693:Oatflake
683:Milesian
666:Wheedler
650:Myrobella
550:Newmarket
461:-trained
309:from the
35:Grandsire
736:Ramtapa
638:Big Game
601:Tom Fool
578:Pedigree
520:crutches
319:handicap
204:and the
134:£257,635
131:Earnings
687:My Babu
627:Nonats
543:One Man
507:One Man
463:Travado
307:lengths
113:Trainer
97:Breeder
79:Country
65:Gelding
53:Damsire
722:Nearco
718:Neron
643:Bahram
294:hurdle
291:novice
270:Ludlow
186:hurdle
167:(1997)
162:(1997)
157:(1995)
152:(1995)
147:(1994)
123:Record
87:Colour
71:Foaled
715:1964
680:1964
675:1974
634:1957
612:Gaga
606:Menow
597:1962
592:1970
399:1993
272:, in
268:near
105:Owner
56:Sidon
1247:2014
1225:2014
1196:2014
1171:2014
1143:2014
1121:2014
1099:2014
1070:2014
1042:2014
1020:2014
998:2014
976:2014
954:2014
932:2014
910:2014
888:2014
859:2014
833:2014
790:2014
588:Sire
554:hack
303:25/1
248:and
222:star
196:and
27:Sire
671:Dam
440:at
361:at
296:at
260:in
91:Bay
61:Sex
45:Dam
1262::
1215:.
1204:^
1179:^
1159:.
1090:.
1078:^
1058:.
879:.
867:^
849:.
816:^
806:.
766:.
755:^
527:'s
473:,
192:,
1249:.
1227:.
1198:.
1173:.
1145:.
1123:.
1101:.
1072:.
1044:.
1022:.
1000:.
978:.
956:.
934:.
912:.
890:.
861:.
835:.
810:.
792:.
770:.
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