Foaled in April 2007, Many Clouds made his race course debut on the 21st February 2012 in a Class 6 NH Flat race at Wetherby over 2m, beating Yorkist by 12 lengths…. 2 Graded races followed but was well beaten by Champagne Fever & The New One respectively…..

Given a break from April till October, Many Clouds returned in a Class 4 Maiden Hurdle at Aintree. Finishing 2nd to Gevery Chambertin by 1 & 1/4 lengths.

A November run at Ascot followed & Many Clouds duly won beating Fergall by 4 lengths. 2nd at Wetherby next time out by 7 lengths to Up & Go was quickly followed by a Victory at Exeter by 3/4s of a Length, a 12 length 2nd followed that at Sandown in a Grade 3 Class 1 Hurdle before finally being Pulled up at Aintree in a Grade 3 Class 1 hurdle over 3 miles in April….. Many Clouds season drew to a close & a return in November 2013 over Chase fences….

Carlise ….3rd November 2013…… Many Clouds return’s to the race course in a Class 4 chase over 2m 4f…. Winning by 2 & 1/4 lengths.

Stepped up to a Class 2 on November 22nd, Clouds was beaten in a 4 runner affair by 2 & 1/4 lengths by Black Thunder, dropping back to Class 3 for a December run at Wetherby winning by 16 Lengths from Indian Courage.

February quickly came around & RSA trial Grade 2 Class 1 contest at Ascot… 2nd by 2 & 1/2 lengths to O’Faolains Boy, next was a visit to Cheltenham in March, RSA Chase Grade 2 Class 1 contest, Many Clouds was brought down at the 14th fence……

Aintree for the Grand National Meeting in April was next, Holywell won & Many Clouds was well beaten 21 lengths 4th of 6 runners….. Season over & a return on 2nd November at Carlise…..

A Class 1 Listed Chase, Many Clouds won by 1 & 1/4 lengths Eduard, off to Newbury at the end of the month in the Grade 3 Hennessy Gold Cup, ran over 3m 2f, with regular jockey Leighton Aspell, this is when Many Cloud’s rose to prominence, winning by 3 & 1/4 lengths from Houblon Des Obeaux.

A break till January & a return to Cheltenham for the BetBright Cup Chase(Grade 2 Class1) , Many Clouds beat old adversary Smad Place by 1 & 1/4 lengths, the BetFred Gold Cup(Grade 1 Class1) followed in March, but Many Clouds was a distant 25 lengths 6th to Coneygree.

A step up in trip followed as Many Clouds was entered in the greatest steeplechase in British racing…. The Grand National at Aintree, over 4m 3f. A race that has taken many chasers from us, notably at the Chair & Beecher’s Brook…. Many Clouds was a 25/1 shot with the bookmakers at the off….

After tracking the leaders Many Clouds started making his way through the field 5 out, with 2 fences to go he was being ridden by Leighton Aspell, by the time they reached the Elbow turn, he was 3 lengths clear, holding on from Saint Are to win by 1 & 3/4 lengths…. Carrying the most weight since Red Rum had won the race 11 stone 9Lbs…The Country hailed a new champion……

Not too many horse’s win many race’s after winning the Grand National…. Would Many Clouds be different??? I think we all know that answer……

Many Clouds would run 7 more races…… Starting with an October return in the Charlie Hall Chase(Grade2 Class1) at Wetherby… a distant 25 lengths 6th of 7 runners to Cue Card after being out paced & weakening before the final fence…. The Betfred Chase (Listed Class1) followed on his return to Aintree in the December of 2015, finishing a 4 length 2nd to Don Poli….

January 2016 brought a trip back to Cheltenham & the BetBright Trail Chase(Grade2 Class1)….. This time old Adversary Smad Place got the better of Many Clouds to win by 12 lengths & it was looking as if the Grand National Curse had struck again…..

Kelso was Many Clouds next destination & another chance to try & get the Grand National Curse of his back, a Listed Class 1 Chase over 2m 7f.

The Curse was broken…… Many Clouds romped home by 10 lengths from Unioniste, with an Official Rating of 166….. & off to Aintree for the Grand National & a crack at being the new Red Rum…..Retaining the toughest Steeplechase!!!

Sadly it wasn’t to be & Many Clouds finished 16th, 217 lengths behind winner Ruler of the World, season over……. But an Aintree return in December, Betfred Listed Chase (Class1) beating Le Mercury by 3 & 1/2 lengths……

January 28th…. 2.15 Cheltenham … Cotswold Chase(Grade 2 Class1)

Many Clouds tracked old foe Smad Place, with young pretender Thistlecrack(King George Winner) in behind, Smad Place relented & a ding dong battle between Many Clouds & Thistlecrack ensued….. Over the last neck & Neck…. up the run in Thistlecrack looked to have it in the bag, but Many Clouds wouldn’t give in….. over hauling the young pretender to win by a head….. Sadly Many Clouds collapsed after the finishing line & sadly passed away…..

Many Clouds & Thistlecrack going head to head in closing stages of Many Clouds Final race.

A multiple graded winner, a grand national winner & a national hunt treasure.

We pass on our condolences to Oliver Sherwood, Leighton Aspell, Trevor Hemmings & all the stable staff that cared for him during his Career

As a fan of racing, this was one of the hardest thing’s to write, I had to break the news to my son, who was a big fan of Many Clouds, constantly asking me when he was running again….. RIP MANY CLOUDS…… Jump them fences in the sky

Written by Rich Williams for 3Furlongs Out.