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Irish-bred Fortria began his career over fences at age 5, winning 14 National Hunt races up to his 1961 Irish Grand National win at age 9, including the Champion Two Mile 'Chase at Cheltenham twice, and the Mackeson Gold Cup at Cheltenham. While he was tops at 2 miles, there was some question regarding his ability to stay beyond that distance, and although he led in the Cheltenham Gold Cup of 1962 for much of that race, he faltered at the end, overtaken by the strong-running Mandarin, and placed second to him. He placed second again in the Gold Cup, the following year, now age 11, behind the good 'chaser Mill House. His dam, Senria, was by Sun Yat Sen (by the stayer and staying sire Santoi), a horse who ran at the handicap level and who produced his full brother, dual National Hunt Handicap Chase winner Sentina. Fortria's sire was the top jumper sire, Fortina, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1947. |
