Grand National 2003 winner Monty’s Pass dies at the age of 29

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Irish racehorse Monty's Pass passed away at the ripe old age of 29. The legendary racehorse won the Grand National 2003 race at Aintree. Monty’s Pass was the oldest living Grand National winner before dying in late November. 

Monty’s Pass’s final days were spent living in Conna, Cork in the yard of Irish trainer Jimmy Mangan. The horse was well taken care of by Mangan and his family at their farm until the final moments. 

The Grand National is the pinnacle of any horse, trainer, and jockey’s career. The 2023 edition of the Grand National is just around the corner and fans are debating which horse will win the famous event. The runners and odds lists for the event are available giving racing fans the chance to prepare their Grand National Bets for the big day. 

Mangan spoke about Monty's Pass’s unique character after passing. The horse had a routine up to the final days. According to Mangan, Monty’s Pass would walk to the gate every evening regardless of the season wanting to go into his stable. Monty’s Pass spent every night in the stable and never slept outside. 

The racehorse won over £540,000 during an illustrious racing career. Along with winning the Grand National at Aintree, Monty’s Pass also won the Denny Gold Medal Handicap Chase in 2001 and the Kerry National a year later. 

Born in April 1993, Monty’s Pass was just a few months shy of turning 30 years old. Race horses live on average between 25 and 30 years following their racing careers. A career in racing is typically short for most horses with two to three years being the average. 

Monty’s Pass was ridden to victory in Grand National 2003 by jockey Barry Geraghty. The horse’s odds to win the Grand National were 40/1, although they shortened to 16/1 just before the start of the famous race. Despite Monty’s Pass’s odds falling, a punt on the horse was a big gamble for punters. 

According to Geraghty, he spent the morning of the Grand National 2003 in the sauna trying to sweat off a few pounds. Geraghty had to get down to 10 stone, seven pounds to ride Monty’s Pass for the race. 

Monty's Pass was victorious in eight of 57 career races. He placed in 23 other races, helping him earn an incredible amount of prize money. Geraghty also rode Monty’s Pass to victory in the Kerry National in 2002. The race at Listowel helped Monty’s Pass’s reputation, but it was the Grand National win at Aintree that racing fans truly remember. Monty’s Pass won the Grand National by 12 lengths, showcasing the horse’s pace and leaping ability.

According to Geraghty, Monty’s Pass made just one mistake during the Grand National. He leapt over 90 fences in the race and the small mistake didn’t stop the pair from romping to victory. Geraghty knew the race was one with 100 yards to go in the race. The jockey was able to celebrate all the way to the line thanks to Monty’s Pass’s extraordinary performance.