Exotic Dancer (horse)

Exotic Dancer
SireTurgeon
GrandsireCaro
DamNorthine
DamsireNorthern Treat
SexGelding
Foaled2000
DiedApril 2, 2009
CountryFrance
ColourBay
BreederGaetan Gilles & Ecurie Jules Ouaki
OwnerSir Robert Ogden
TrainerJonjo O'Neill
Record27: 8 – 7 – 7
Earnings£730,067
Major wins
Lexus Chase (2008)
Totesport Bowl (2007)
Cotswold Chase (2007)
Paddy Power Gold Cup (2006)
Boylesports.com Gold Cup (2006)
Last updated on December 29, 2008

Exotic Dancer (29 March 2000 – 2 April 2009) was a French-bred National Hunt racehorse, who was trained by Jonjo O'Neill. He had a famous rivalry with Kauto Star but never beat him.[1][2]

In April 2005, Exotic Dancer finished seventh in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham and as a 50/1 outsider finished third in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle at Aintree. In December 2005 he had his first win in a novice chase at Cheltenham.

Exotic Dancer had a successful 2006/07 season with three victories at Cheltenham, in the Paddy Power Gold Cup,[3] Boylesports.com Gold Cup and an 18 length victory in the Letheby and Christopher Chase. However the horse finished second in both King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup both times behind Kauto Star. He ended the season with victory at Aintree where he won the Betfair Bowl.

In the 2007/08 season Exotic Dancer ran five times, on each occasion beaten by Kauto Star including the King George VI Chase where Exotic Dancer finished third.[4]

Exotic Dancer began the 2008/09 season with two place finishes before completing a 20 length victory in the Lexus Chase in December 2008, the horse's first win in 20 months.[5]

A contender to win the 2009 John Smith's Grand National, Exotic Dancer was pulled out to concentrate on other races.[6][7]

Exotic Dancer's final race was the Totesport Bowl at Aintree on Thursday 2 April 2009. He started 3 to 1 as the second favourite and finished second to Madison Du Berlais. Shortly after the race, Exotic Dancer died of a heart attack in his box stall.[8][9]

  1. ^ "Jonjo O'Neill laments the loss of Exotic Dancer". The Times. London. 3 April 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2009.[dead link]
  2. ^ Newton, Ben (4 April 2009). "Clive Smith pays tribute to Exotic Dancer". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  3. ^ Exotic Dancer powers to Cup win, BBC Sport, Retrieved on 6 January 2008
  4. ^ Impressive Kauto takes George win, BBC Sport, Retrieved on 6 January 2008
  5. ^ Exotic Dancer lands Lexus success, BBC Sport, Retrieved on 28 December 2008
  6. ^ Why take on horses where everyone theoretically has got a chance, against putting him in a race where very few have got a chance? Lees, Jon (15 March 2009). "Exotic Dancer may miss National for second Bowl". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  7. ^ Garry Owen (18 March 2009). "Gosden's Star finds favour with punters". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012.
  8. ^ "Dramatic start to Grand National Meeting". Racing and Sports. 3 April 2009. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014.
  9. ^ "Exotic Dancer dies of heart attack at Aintree". Racing Post. 2 April 2009. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.