Alderbrook, winner of the Champion Hurdle in 1995, has died at the age of 18.
Bailey ace was 'incredibly tough'
Alderbrook, winner of the Champion Hurdle in 1995, has died at the age of 18 due to complications following leg surgery.
The son of Ardross was a successful horse on the Flat for Lambourn trainer Kim Bailey, winning 10 times in three seasons.
And on just his second start of timber, Alderbrook trounced a quality field at Cheltenham in the hands of Norman Williamson, beating Large Action by five lengths on his favoured soft ground.
He found Collier Bay two-and-a-half lengths too good 12 months later when hot favourite for a repeat, but ended his career in style by winning the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr.
Upsetting
Alderbrook then enjoyed a successful time at stud, siring numerous winners including the high class Ollie Magern, who runs in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.
"It is always upsetting when you lose an old friend and the departing of Alderbrook, who might have only been a horse, but a very, very special one, was certainly sad," said Bailey on his website.
"In all my years as a trainer Alderbrook was my most favourite, he was just different from any other horse that I have had the privilege to train.
"He was incredibly tough, totally honest and with his joints causing such huge problems, he was just that special he was able to push himself through the pain barrier to always do his best.
"Alderbrook had that aura of invincibility about him; he knew he was special and everything about him was different."
