Weapon's Amnesty
Encyclopedia
Weapon’s Amnesty is an Irish thoroughbred
racehorse
, born to sire, Presenting and dam, Victoria Theatre. He is owned by Aaron Metcalfe and is trained by Charles Byrnes. Weapon's Amnesty was bred by Gigginstown House Stud, a horse breeding outfit owned by Michael O'Leary
, the CEO of the Ryanair
. Throughout his time as a racehorse, his primary jockey has been Davy Russell
. As of May 2010, Weapon’s Amnesty has amassed a career record of 5 wins, 4 places and 1 show while accumulating £216,848 in lifetime earnings in just 14 races.
Weapon’s Amnesty started racing as a four year old in January 2008 when he was entered into the Templemore I.N.H. Flat Race, finishing in 2nd place out of 17 entries – losing to Oscar Time by just a half of a length
. He made his hurdling debut later that year in November during the I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle, a race in which he finished well off the lead runner. He won his first race, the Gowran Park Racing Club 2009 Maiden Hurdle, in December 2008 at Gowran Park
in County Kilkenny
, Ireland. In that race, he beat a field of 20 horses to earn his first victory.
His first notable win came in the 2009 Spa Novices' Hurdle
, a Grade 1 National Hunt race held at Cheltenham Racecourse
in Cheltenham
, Gloucestershire
during the Cheltenham Festival
. In that race, Weapon’s Amnesty held off 17 other competitors, including jockey Ruby Walsh
on Pride of Dulcote, whom he narrowly beat by a half of a length. After the win, Davy Russell said of Weapon’s Amnesty: I was definitely on the best horse in the race and didn't want to hit the front too soon. Charles has done a fantastic job with this horse, because he is not the easiest to train. He's a big-framed horse and a chaser in the making.
Weapon’s Amnesty’s other Grade 1 win came in the 2010 RSA Chase, also held during the Cheltenham Festival. There, he entered the race at 10-1 and dominated the field of nine to win by 7 lengths over Burton Port.
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, Presenting and dam, Victoria Theatre. He is owned by Aaron Metcalfe and is trained by Charles Byrnes. Weapon's Amnesty was bred by Gigginstown House Stud, a horse breeding outfit owned by Michael O'Leary
Michael O'Leary (Ryanair)
Michael O'Leary is an Irish businessman and the Chief Executive Officer of the Irish airline Ryanair. He is one of Ireland's wealthiest businessmen.-Early life:...
, the CEO of the Ryanair
Ryanair
Ryanair is an Irish low-cost airline. Its head office is at Dublin Airport and its primary operational bases at Dublin Airport and London Stansted Airport....
. Throughout his time as a racehorse, his primary jockey has been Davy Russell
Davy Russell
Davy Russell is an Irish jockey who competes in National Hunt racing. Russell's first win as a professional jockey was for English-based Irish trainer Ferdy Murphy on Inn Antique in a novice hurdle at Sedgefield, 12 November 2002...
. As of May 2010, Weapon’s Amnesty has amassed a career record of 5 wins, 4 places and 1 show while accumulating £216,848 in lifetime earnings in just 14 races.
Weapon’s Amnesty started racing as a four year old in January 2008 when he was entered into the Templemore I.N.H. Flat Race, finishing in 2nd place out of 17 entries – losing to Oscar Time by just a half of a length
Length (horse racing)
A horse length, or simply length, is a unit of measurement that refers to the length of a horse from nose to tail, approximately 8 feet, It is commonly used in Thoroughbred horse racing, where it describes the distance between horses in a race...
. He made his hurdling debut later that year in November during the I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle, a race in which he finished well off the lead runner. He won his first race, the Gowran Park Racing Club 2009 Maiden Hurdle, in December 2008 at Gowran Park
Gowran Park
Gowran Park is a horse race course in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located in the Annerly Estate near the village of Gowran.The first meeting was held in 1914...
in County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
, Ireland. In that race, he beat a field of 20 horses to earn his first victory.
His first notable win came in the 2009 Spa Novices' Hurdle
Spa Novices' Hurdle
The Spa Novices' Hurdle, also known as the Albert Bartlett Novices' 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 on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there...
, a Grade 1 National Hunt race held at Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is a racecourse for horse racing events, located at Prestbury Park, in the suburban village of Prestbury on the outskirts of the English town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire...
in Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
during the 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...
. In that race, Weapon’s Amnesty held off 17 other competitors, including jockey Ruby Walsh
Ruby Walsh
Ruby Walsh is the reigning Irish National Hunt champion jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen.-Success:...
on Pride of Dulcote, whom he narrowly beat by a half of a length. After the win, Davy Russell said of Weapon’s Amnesty: I was definitely on the best horse in the race and didn't want to hit the front too soon. Charles has done a fantastic job with this horse, because he is not the easiest to train. He's a big-framed horse and a chaser in the making.
Weapon’s Amnesty’s other Grade 1 win came in the 2010 RSA Chase, also held during the Cheltenham Festival. There, he entered the race at 10-1 and dominated the field of nine to win by 7 lengths over Burton Port.