Doddiethegreat, the horse named after Scotland rugby legend Doddie Weir, was an emotional winner of the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final at the Cheltenham Festival.
Every penny of his winnings goes to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, a charity that aims to free the world of Motor Neurone Disease. Weir died in November 2022 after a five-year battle with the condition.
At a Cheltenham Festival full of poignant winners, Doddiethegreat sprung a 25-1 surprise to win the £61,000 prize and the horse was welcomed into the winners’ enclosure with a stirring rendition of Doddie’s Dream, a song that was released in his honour.
Owned by Scotsman Kenny Alexander, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Brian Hughes, Doddiethegreat travelled sweetly throughout and repelled the late challenge of favourite and stablemate Jeriko Du Reponet to win by a length and a quarter.
Jockey Brian Hughes celebrates his emotional victory on Doddiethegreat at Cheltenham
Doddiethegreat sprung a 25-1 surprise by winning the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final
Hughes told ITV Racing: ‘I was lucky to meet Doddie and he was an inspirational man.’
Henderson added: ‘Kenny named him after Doddie Weir. I think we just all like Doddie and there’s just something about him. All the prize money goes to the Foundation and it’s lovely.’
Sports presenter Jill Douglas knew the Weir family well and told ITV Racing: ‘I’m in bits. I’ve never seen anything like it. My heart was leaping out of my chest and it’s the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen. Kathy (Weir’s wife) asked Kenny whether it had a chance and he said: “He has a wee chance”.
‘I can’t believe it. Kathy will be jumping about at home in joy.’
