Persian War (horse)
| Persian War | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Persian War |
| Grandsire | Bahram |
| Dam | Warning |
| Damsire | Chanteur |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1963 |
| Country | Britain |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Astor Studs |
| Owner | Astor Studs Donald Leyland-Naylor Henry Alper |
| Trainer | Tom Masson (1966) Brian Swift (1967) Colin Davies (1967-70) Arthur Pitt (1970-71) Denis Rayson (1971-72) Jack Gibson (1972-73) |
| Record | (Hurdles) 51: 18-9-9 |
| Major wins | |
| Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle (1967) Triumph Hurdle (1967) Schweppes Gold Trophy (1968) Champion Hurdle (1968, 1969, 1970) Lonsdale Handicap Hurdle (1969) Welsh Champion Hurdle (1969) Irish Sweeps Hurdle (1970) | |
| Honours | |
| Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow Timeform rating: 179 | |
| Last updated on 13 March 2025 | |
Persian War (1963–1984) was a British-bred National Hunt horse and thrice winner of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. He is considered one of the greatest hurdlers of all time. He won the Triumph Hurdle as a novice in 1967 before Champion Hurdle victories the next three years. He was rated the best hurdler since Sir Ken in the 1950s and described as “the ultimate champion” by trainer Colin Davis. Persian War's career was the start of ‘a golden age’ of two-mile hurdling in the 1970s. However, many observers felt that the horse could have accomplished even more if not for the interference of his owner Henry Alper, who employed six trainers to prepare him and often targeted unsuitable races.