Racing mourns Gold Cup-winning trainer Mark Bradstock after his death aged 66

Mark Bradstock had one chance to make auto racing history, and he absolutely nailed it. Photo: Getty Images/Charlie Crowhurst

Mark Bradstock, who coached Coneygrey to become the first rookie to win the Gold Cup for more than 40 years, has died aged 66 after a long illness.

Although Bradstock and his wife Sarah rarely had more than a dozen cheaply purchased or domestic horses. at Old Manor Stables in Letcombe Bassett they punched well above their weight and the Hunters not only won the 2015 Gold Cup but also the 2011 Hennessy Gold Cup with Carruthers and the 2018 Bet365 Gold Cup with Step Back.

Bradstock spent 10 years with the legendary Fulk Walwyn at Lambourn, first as a groom and then the last five seasons as his assistant. Diamond Edge and Special Cargo were the stable's star hunters. Bradstock also scored 18 wins as an amateur, including three for the Queen Mother.

His first winner as a trainer was Deep Impression in November 1988, and in 1995 he recorded his first festival winner when King Harald won the Jewsons tournament. Novice Chase by four lengths. It wasn't without drama: in the end, the horse almost unseated Matty Batchelor, and the jockey rode home with his legs freed from the shackles.

However, if there was one purchase, it was the gift that kept on giving — £3,000. The Bradstocks paid for the mare Checkered Maid to entertain Mark's father-in-law, the late amateur jockey and former Telegraph Sport racing correspondent for Lord's. Oaksey.

As well as winning seven races, she sired Carruthers, Coneygrey and Flintham, a four-time winning orphan colt with a crooked leg whom she died in childbirth.

Nico de Boinville celebrates winning the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup at Coneygree Photo: Reuters/Eddie Keogh

Coneygree, a long-legged giant whose long arms were as much his asset as his Achilles heel, would never have succeeded in the big yard as he did in the Bradstocks' small compound, and they were rewarded with endless hours of individual attention keeping him engaged. sounds in his rookie chase season.

After success at Newbury, chasing Cauto's stars at Kempton on Boxing Day by 30 lengths and chasing Denman, the Bradstocks were faced with a choice: Brown Advisory or Gold Cup.

They made the bold decision to go for the blue riband jumping and by 7:00pm the Gold Cup was whizzing around Waitrose at Wantage as they stocked up on food and drink for the party and the gelding's conditional jockey, Nico de Boinville, was in good form. his path to becoming a stable jockey for his boss Nicky Henderson.

Time has proven that this decision was made even more encouraging because Coneygrey could rarely enjoy a long run without injury and although he was second in Betfair Chase and a very close third in the Punchestown Gold Cup behind Sizingu John, he only won one race. But he remains at Old Manor in retirement, a sprightly 17-year-old.

Bradstock was a very funny man with a great sense of humor. He had one chance to make racing history, and he absolutely achieved it. Not many people can say that, and with Mr Vango in the yard, Sarah and his daughter Lily, a successful point-to-point rider (his son Alfie is an international showjumper), will carry on knowing that they are carrying on his legacy.< /p>