Schiaparelli enjoyed a terrific week at the Cheltenham Festival courtesy of his three runner, including his first Festival winner Indefatigable in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle.
Indefatigable has long been the poster girl for her sire. A member of his second crop, she was bred by Ireland by John O’Connor and she finished third on her first and only start in her native country in a Punchestown bumper won by the future G1 Champion Bumper winner Relegate.
On moving to Paul Webber’s yard in England, she has proved to be a highly dependable campaigner, winning a bumper on her British debut, followed by four hurdles victories, including two at Listed level.
Her most recent, in the final race of the Cheltenham Festival, was certainly her most exciting victory to date. Sent off at 25/1 despite the fact that her previous win had seen her finish runner-up to Coral Cup winner Dame De Compagnie, Indefatigable looked an increasing threat over the last two hurdles before launching a determined late surge up the hill to grab victory on the line.
Her victory in the colours of Philip Rocher came the day after an excellent runner-up finish for fellow seven-year-old Ronald Pump in the G1 Stayers’ Hurdle. He too has been a consistent performer, winning five times and placing in another four races for Irish trainer Matthew Smith.
Whatmore is also a five-time winner and is from Schiaparelli’s first crop. The Henry Daly trainee posted a very game effort at Cheltenham in the listed Northern Trust Handicap Chase to finish fourth behind Imperial Aura.
