| Persian War | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Persian Gulf |
| Grandsire | Bahram |
| Dam | Warning |
| Damsire | Chanteur |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1963 |
| Country | Britain |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Astor Studs |
| Owner | Astor Studs Donald Leyland-Naylor Henry Alper |
| Trainer | Tom Masson (1966) Brian Swift (1967) Colin Davies (1967-70) Arthur Pitt (1970-71) Denis Rayson (1971-72) Jack Gibson (1972-73) |
| Record | (Hurdles) 51: 18-9-9 |
| Major wins | |
| Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle (1967) Triumph Hurdle (1967) Schweppes Gold Trophy (1968) Champion Hurdle (1968, 1969, 1970) Lonsdale Handicap Hurdle (1969) Welsh Champion Hurdle (1969) Irish Sweeps Hurdle (1970) | |
| Honours | |
| Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow | |
Persian War (1963–1984) was a British National Hunt horse and a three-time winner of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. He is considered to have been one of the greatest hurdlers of all time.[1] He won the Triumph Hurdle in 1967, before progressing to dominate the hurdling ranks for the next three years, including winning the Champion Hurdle three times, before the emergence of dual Champion Hurdle winner Bula.[2] He was rated the best hurdler since Sir Ken in the 1950s, and described as “the ultimate champion” by trainer Colin Davis, and his career is considered to have heralded ‘a golden age’ of two-mile hurdling that saw outstanding champions Bula, Comedy Of Errors, Night Nurse, Monksfield and Sea Pigeon.[2] However, many observers felt that Persian War could have accomplished even more if not for the interference of his owner Henry Alper, who employed six trainers to prepare the horse during his career and often targeted unsuitable races.[3]