The Ever-Enthusiastic Not So Sleepy: The Older Contender at Cheltenham
Despite its charming old-world charisma, horse racing doesn’t usually accommodate grey muzzles. Yet, here we are discussing Not So Sleepy, a remarkable 12-year-old racehorse preparing for the Champion Hurdle at this year's Cheltenham Festival.
The Story of Not So Sleepy
Bred and owned by Lord and Lady Blyth, Not So Sleepy is a seemingly unremarkable creature standing at just above 15.2 hands high. Seemingly, because behind this compact frame hides a robust athlete who won his debut race in October 2014 and has continued to shine sporadically throughout his career. Apart from winning 11 out of his 65 races, Not So Sleepy has also accrued a staggering £560,829 in prize money.
A Career Punctuated by Triumphs
Away from the glamorized world of thoroughbreds, Not So Sleepy has been a consistent winner on both flat and hurdle races. His most spectacular victories came when he won the Grade Three Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle in 2019 and 2020, followed by a neck-and-neck finish with Epatante in the 2021 Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle. The next year saw him win the same race outrightly, cementing his status as a formidable challenger.
Longevity in Horse Racing: The Exception, Not the Rule
Horse racing can be tough on athletes, but Not So Sleepy’s career seems to have worked on a different manual altogether. He entered training later in life and has stayed longer than many of his peers. Not So Sleepy’s trainer, Hughie Morrison, gives credit to the creature’s self-preservation instincts and the unwavering support of Lord and Lady Blyth for this. Morrison also asserts that “horses don’t stay in training for as long as this unless the owners give you the chance to experiment.”
With the same zest for work, Not So Sleepy himself has played a significant role in his prolonged career. His grit, veiled under his somewhat naughty streak of refusing to do things he doesn't want to, has remained unaltered throughout his racing years.
Hopeful, But Realistic: The Road Ahead
Going forward, Not So Sleepy is returning to the Champion Hurdle rush with measured expectations. His handler believes that the racehorse could have performed better in his previous outings at Cheltenham and is hopeful that this could be his year.
Becky Bosworth, the equine sports therapist who has been regularly treating Not So Sleepy, commented on his admirable strength of character. She has been quoted as saying that Not So Sleepy is "barely 15.2hh, but he's got the heart of a lion." This duo, along with the rest of the team, seems hell-bent on proving that with the right horse, owners, and approach, racehorses can indeed enjoy a long and fulfilling career.
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Source: Horse and Hound