26 January 2024 , 09:51
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A Cheltenham Festival-winning couple who own some of jump racing’s best young horses have announced they are exiting the sport before this year’s meeting.
Andy and Gemma Brown have enjoyed multiple big race successes with horses running under the Caldwell Construction banner. Their top horses include four-time Grade 1 winner Mighty Potter and they also own one of this season’s best novice hurdlers Caldwell Potter.
But Caldwell Potter will be sold to the highest bidder next month when he will be among 29 of the owners’ horses heading for auction on February 6. Mighty Potter, who like his brother Caldwell Potter was trained by Gordon Elliott, was fatally injured when running at last year’s Punchestown Festival, a month after finishing third at Cheltenham.
There have been further losses this season including talented novice D B Cooper who suffered a fatal injury at Fairyhouse last week. The Browns said in a post on X: “Further to the sad loss of one of our young horses D B Cooper again as a family we are absolutely heartbroken. Also we lost Smooth Player only just 2 weeks ago.
“Having a young family it’s hard to cope with such losses and therefore we feel it is time for a break from the sport. We would also like to thank Gordon and his team for there hard work and support the last few years and wish them all the best.”
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Caldwell Construction horses have won 53 races in Ireland, of which five were at Grade 1 level. They enjoyed Cheltenham Festival success for the first time last year when Jazzy Matty captured the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.