Kribensis (horse)
Encyclopedia
Kribensis was an Irish thoroughbred
racehorse
, born to sire, Henbit and dam, Aquaria. The horse was owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Sir Michael Stoute. Kribensis gave Sheikh Mohammed his first Cheltenham Festival
win when he won the Triumph Hurdle
in 1988.
In 1989/90, with jockey
Richard Dunwoody
at the helm, Kribensis became the only horse to win the Fighting Fifth Hurdle
, Christmas Hurdle
and Champion Hurdle
in the same season. This trio of races makes up the Triple Crown of Hurdling
., In 2008/09, Punjabi
came close to matching Kribensis’ feat, winning the Fighting Fifth and Champion Hurdle, but came up one hurdle short in the Christmas Hurdle.
Kribensis is one of three horses, along with Persian War and Katchit, to have won the Triumph Hurdle and Champion Hurdle in their racing careers., Kribensis is also just one of four grey horses to have won the Champion Hurdle, along with Victor Nornian (1936), Our Hope (1938) and Rooster Booster
(2003).
In his career, Kribensis compiled 13 wins, 2 places and 0 shows in 23 career starts. Four of his 13 wins came in Grade 1 races, and overall, he accumulated £185,795 in career earnings. As he grew older, Kribensis’ colour changed slightly from grey to white, much like that of Desert Orchid
. After Kribensis was retired in 1993, Sir Michael Stoute would often ride him as a hack., However, even as he grew older, Kribensis maintained his playful nature, and Stoute had to abandon using Kribensis as his hack, as he became prone to bucking and kicking.
On October 13, 2007, Kribensis was euthanised due to inoperable cancer at the age of 23. After his death, Sir Michael Stoute said of Kribensis: “We had [him] at Freemason Lodge for 22 years so you can imagine how much we will miss him."
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
, born to sire, Henbit and dam, Aquaria. The horse was owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Sir Michael Stoute. Kribensis gave Sheikh Mohammed his first Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...
win when he won the Triumph Hurdle
Triumph Hurdle
The Triumph Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
in 1988.
In 1989/90, with jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
Richard Dunwoody
Richard Dunwoody
Thomas Richard Dunwoody MBE is a retired British jockey in National Hunt racing. He was a three-time Champion Jockey, riding 1699 British winners in his career. His father was a leading Point to Point rider...
at the helm, Kribensis became the only horse to win the Fighting Fifth Hurdle
Fighting Fifth Hurdle
The Fighting Fifth Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Newcastle over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
, Christmas Hurdle
Christmas Hurdle
The Christmas Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped...
and Champion Hurdle
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle...
in the same season. This trio of races makes up the Triple Crown of Hurdling
Triple Crown of Hurdling
The Triple Crown of Hurdling is awarded to any horse that wins all three of the Grade 1 Hurdling races in any given English National Hunt season...
., In 2008/09, Punjabi
Punjabi (horse)
Punjabi is a British Thoroughbred racehorse, born to sire, Komatie and dam, Competa. Punjabi started racing as a three year old in 2005...
came close to matching Kribensis’ feat, winning the Fighting Fifth and Champion Hurdle, but came up one hurdle short in the Christmas Hurdle.
Kribensis is one of three horses, along with Persian War and Katchit, to have won the Triumph Hurdle and Champion Hurdle in their racing careers., Kribensis is also just one of four grey horses to have won the Champion Hurdle, along with Victor Nornian (1936), Our Hope (1938) and Rooster Booster
Rooster Booster (horse)
Rooster Booster was a British-bred thoroughbred racehorse, best known for winning the 2003 Champion Hurdle.-Background:Rooster Booster was a gelding whose grey coat and racing style made him easily recognisable. He was the only horse of any consequence produced by the unsuccessful racehorse...
(2003).
In his career, Kribensis compiled 13 wins, 2 places and 0 shows in 23 career starts. Four of his 13 wins came in Grade 1 races, and overall, he accumulated £185,795 in career earnings. As he grew older, Kribensis’ colour changed slightly from grey to white, much like that of Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid
Desert Orchid , affectionately known as Dessie, was an English racehorse. The gallant grey achieved iconic status within National Hunt racing, where he was much loved by supporters for his front-running attacking style, iron will and extreme versatility. He was rated the fifth best National Hunt...
. After Kribensis was retired in 1993, Sir Michael Stoute would often ride him as a hack., However, even as he grew older, Kribensis maintained his playful nature, and Stoute had to abandon using Kribensis as his hack, as he became prone to bucking and kicking.
On October 13, 2007, Kribensis was euthanised due to inoperable cancer at the age of 23. After his death, Sir Michael Stoute said of Kribensis: “We had [him] at Freemason Lodge for 22 years so you can imagine how much we will miss him."