Mrs Phyllis Mc Dowell, wife of Hebert Mc Dowell who trained Caughoo to win the 1947 Aintree Grand National following dual success in the Ulster Grand National in 1946/47 at Downpatrick Racecourse, has organised a new trophy for Sunday’s renewal at Downpatrick racecourse for the opening meeting of the season writes Joe Kavanagh.
The new trophy – the Caughoo Perpetual Trophy – will mark the achievements of the great horse which Phyllis’s husband trained for his brother John Mc Dowell and partnered by Eddie Dempsey to win at Aintree.
Caughoo which was reportedly bought for £50 scored at 100/1 with Prince Regent winner of the previous year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup finishing fourth of the 57 starters. Lough Conn suppled an Irish 1-2 in the race while third placed Kami was partnered by journalist and author, John Hislop, who was also owner and breeder of the great Champion racehorse, Brigadier Gerard.
Sheila’s Cottage which fell at the 12th fence won the Aintree National the following year and Silver Flame a faller two from home won the 1951 Cheltenham Gold Cup aged twelve. The McDowell family have agreed with longstanding sponsors, Toals Bookmakers, to make the new trophy available to connections of this year’s and future winners of the feature of the Downpatrick racing season.
Former Irish International showjumpers Leonard and Marion Cave are pictured with the Caughoo Trophy with Marion a daughter of Mrs Phyllis Mc Dowell who will present the trophy on Sunday at Downpatrick.
Marion Cave said: “My mother is delighted to have the horse remembered with this trophy as she recalls it was a great family success and occasion to win the World’s Greatest Steeplechase. We wish to thank Toals Bookmakers for making this possible.”
