Chapple-Hyam proud of Authorized’s National winners

When Peter Chapple-Hyam purchased Authorized, he was thinking either Epsom or Exeter. Derby dreams would indeed be realised as the crowning moment of a glittering career on the turf, but now he has etched his name into the Grand National history books, courtesy of the exploits of I Am Maximus.

Authorized will always be the answer to quiz questions, being the colt that would end Frankie Dettori’s search for a previously elusive first success in the Derby.

However, he has ensured his name remains up in lights through his progeny, with the dual National triumphs of first Tiger Roll and now I Am Maximus making him the most successful sire in the race’s long and distinguished history – an achievement that has left his former trainer delighted.

“I was absolutely over the moon to see I Am Maximus win,” Chapple-Hyam told the Press Association.

“It was some performance and some race and then obviously before that you had Tiger Roll winning his Nationals and I’m glad Authorized will have his name forever remembered, he’ll be in the history books forever.

“He was such a lovely horse to have anything to do with and a pleasure to be around. He gave Frankie his first Derby and he was probably one of the biggest priced winners of the Racing Post (Futurity) Trophy so he’s always been a star of a horse and always close to some form of history.”

It was a clear case of love at first sight for Chapple-Hyam, who made the striking son of Montjeu his primary target of 2005’s autumn yearling sales – despite pondering if in fact he would be taking him to far flung National Hunt tracks rather than the Classic venues of summer.

Chapple-Hyam explained: “When I bought him I was told to find the nicest five horses in the sale. When asked which one I really liked I said the Montjeu – I loved Montjeu as a racehorse and I watched this horse walk and he was such an athlete. I said he’s the one.

“My exact words were that I loved this horse and he was such an athlete, he’s an easy-moving, free-going horse. His hocks might be a bit behind him but he’s beautiful and it’s either Epsom or Exeter.

“I thought I was looking at either a very good jumper or a very good Flat horse and this was as a yearling, but he didn’t move like a slow horse.”

Authorized would spend the early years of his stallion career on the Darley roster at Dalham Hall Stud and then Haras du Logis in France but now resides in Ireland at Kilkenny’s Capital Stud via a brief spell in Turkey.

Chapple-Hyam remains the most loyal supporter of his triple Group One hero, who as well as being the sire of a pair of Grand National champions has also produced an Irish Derby winner on the level in Santiago and is still going strong aged 22.

“I thought being at Darley Studs at least he would have a chance (of being a success at stud) and would get some decent mares but he didn’t get the time,” said Chapple-Hyam.

“People don’t give stallions time these days and if they don’t set off having horses win the Norfolk and Dewhurst and the like they are deemed as no good. He wasn’t a good horse really until he was three, so it’s no surprise his progeny needed time to be good.

“I was disappointed when he was sold to Turkey but I’m glad he came back and he has a nice home now in Ireland. He’s covering plenty of mares, even for an old man.

“I haven’t been to see him as I don’t like to intrude. He’ll always be my horse, but isn’t anymore, if you get what I mean. But John Berry’s wife Emma often sees him and very kindly sends me plenty of pictures.”