Monksfield

Monksfield
Sire	Gala Performance
Grandsire	Native Dancer
Dam	Regina
Damsire	Tulyar
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1972
Country	Great Britain
Colour	Bay
Trainer	Des McDonogh
Major wins
Aintree Hurdle (1977, 1978, 1979) Champion Hurdle (1978, 1979)
Honours
Monksfield Novice Hurdle at Navan
Horse (Equus ferus caballus)

Monksfield (1972-1989) was an Irish-trained National Hunt racehorse who won the Champion Hurdle in 1978 and 1979.

There was never much of Monksfield, but his small frame hid an attitude of great determination. If it came to a fight Monksfield would not only want to be in it, he would expect to win it. This was more than clear through a career which saw him win two Champion Hurdles and the Aintree Hurdle at Aintree Racecourse thrice - including a dead-heat with Night Nurse, one of his two greatest rivals. Monksfield cost his Irish trainer Des McDonogh only 740 guineas as a yearling, but he won five times on the flat to add to his hurdling triumphs. He won four times in his first season hurdling, as well as finishing second in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. He was runner-up in the 1977 Champion Hurdle behind Night Nurse, but triumphed in 1978, ahead of Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse. The rivalry between Monksfield and Sea Pigeon reached its peak in 1979 and 1980 with Monksfield winning the 1979 Champion Hurdle, and the latter reversing the decision - by a comprehensive seven lengths - a year later. Monksfield died in 1989 after nine years at stud: his best winners included Lakendara, Garrylough and It's a Snip.

References

• The Complete Encyclopedia of Horse Racing - written by Bill Mooney and George Ennor
• Monksfield's pedigree