By Emma Berry
She was bred to be a smart Flat stayer, but in being aimed at the National Hunt sphere, Annie Power (Ire) (Shirocco {Ger}) has proved herself to be one of the most flamboyant jumpers in training, and sees in this New Year as the Champion Hurdler.
In her 17 starts to date, the 8-year-old has been flawless in 15 of them, and finished runner-up to More Of That (Ire) (Beneficial {Ire}) in the GI Ladbrokes World Hurdle of 2014. Returning to the Cheltenham Festival the following year, she invoked near-heart failure among her legion of fans when falling for the only time in her career at the final flight of the GI OLBG Mares' Hurdle with the race seemingly at her mercy.
It was a different story at this year's Cheltenham Festival, however, where Annie Power dominated her 11 male rivals when taking the lead from flag fall of the GI Stan James Champion Hurdle, the race which thrilled this observer more than any other in 2016.
Of course there have been some memorable horses and performances on the Flat–Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) beating an outstanding line-up in the G1 QIPCO Irish Champion S., two Derbys for Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and the wonderfully consistent Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) upholding the great record for fillies in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe all rank highly. But standing in the Cheltenham paddock as Annie Power was led home triumphant–only the fourth mare to be crowned Champion Hurdler in the 90-year history of the race–was a privilege never to be forgotten. There's plenty of talk about the 'Cheltenham roar' as the tapes fly for the opening race of the Festival, but there's nothing quite like the rousing reception given to a winner beloved of the National Hunt faithful, and fiery redhead Annie is a pin-up girl like no other.
“She bossed the race,” Willie Mullins said simply after the Champion Hurdle. And while nothing stirs my soul quite like a good jumping mare, I wonder whether her sporting trainer and owner have considered letting Annie Power boss her way around Ascot for the Gold Cup in June? Just a thought.
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