#sagamartha

[dutourdumonde-photography]

Namche Bazaar, January 2017.

[kkdas]

Nepal - Sagamartha Trek - 242 - Prayer flag pole with Lhotse and Everest by McKay Savage Via Flickr: My final parting image from the Solukhumbu region, looking back at a brillant Lhotse and Everest shining in the rare (in April) evening sun behind a prayer flag pole. Hoped you like the images. I'll be back some day. See you there.

[kkdas]

Nepal - Sagamartha Trek - Gokyo Ri Flags by McKay Savage Via Flickr: The colourful prayer flags and snow-clad cairns greeting the (out-of-breath) trekkers to the top of Gokyo Ri (5360m) in the early morning sun.

[kkdas]

Nepal - Sagamartha Trek - Ngozumba Gl from Gokyo Ri by McKay Savage Via Flickr: The sweep of the Ngozumba glacier (Nepal's longest) and encircling mountains clad in new snow as seen from Gokyo Ri just after sunrise. The sun rose just behind Everest (centre, left peak) and Nuptse/Lhotse (centre, right peaks). All the peaks are above 6000m. Main peaks visible (L to R) include (I think) Chakung (7029); Chunbu (6859); Cholo (6059), the closest at left of centre; Lobuche West (6145) and East (6119), centre; Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse tallest behind and above; Arakam Tse (6423); Cholatse (6440); and Taboche (6501). (if I've got them wrong, let me know...) You can see the 3rd Gokyo Lake at the bottom right

[kkdas]

Nepal - Sagamartha Trek - Ngozumba Gl from Gokyo Ri by McKay Savage Via Flickr: The sweep of the Ngozumba glacier (Nepal's longest) and encircling mountains clad in new snow as seen from Gokyo Ri just after sunrise. The sun rose just behind Everest (centre, left peak) and Nuptse/Lhotse (centre, right peaks). All the peaks are above 6000m. Main peaks visible (L to R) include (I think) Chakung (7029); Chunbu (6859); Cholo (6059), the closest at left of centre; Lobuche West (6145) and East (6119), centre; Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse tallest behind and above; Arakam Tse (6423); Cholatse (6440); and Taboche (6501). (if I've got them wrong, let me know...) You can see the 3rd Gokyo Lake at the bottom right

[thepremblog]

Sagamartha (10yr old stallion)

Unraced at 2 and 3, Sagamartha came good as a 4 year old over the long distances and soon became a horse that the fans took to in their thousands.  After winning his first two races, a 2m 3f Warwick maiden and then a Kemption 2m 1f class 2 Sagamartha was supplimented late on for the 2m 4f Ascot Gold Cup. With Kirsty Milczarek on board Sagamartha ran a fabulous race coming 4 out of 17 at a big price of 16/1. Kirsty and the horse were soon to make a fabulous partnership over the forthcoming years. It wasn't long before Sagamartha was bounding back to winning ways and on the 1st September 2013 he cruised home in the Class 1 Group 2 Doncaster Cup which is raced over 2m 2f winning at a price of 10/1 and by over 3 lengths. This win was to spark a fabulous run of flat form and 7 straight wins over the next year which included winning the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp (2 years on the trot), the Henrey II stakes at Sandown, The Ascot Gold Cup and retaining his Doncaster Cup trophy. It wasn't long before Sagamartha was being touted as a jumps horse and after sprucing home in a 3 mile handicap he lined up as a 33/1 outsider for the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Unfortunately he fell 4 from home when in a promising position but this was just to be the start for punters and fans alike. At the end of the 2015 season Sagamartha went for the 2m Melbourne Cup which many experts believed would prove too short for a horse of his age. However he gave it a real good go from the front as an 100/30 favourite and was being by just a nose by the younger and speedier Fabiatra. Fans were beginning to really love this horse and its fighting spirit and at the start of 2016, now at the age of 7 he was being predicted as a Grand National winner by many. He was the 6/1 antepost favourite for the 4m 4f event but unfortunately in his warm up race, the 4m 1f Elder Chase he got an injury just a few furlongs in and had to be pulled out of both this race and the National. After spending half a year on the sideline, Sagamartha returned in September for the Doncaster Cup back on the flat. On his return run the punters were sceptical over whether he would have the legs to complete the 2m 2f course or even stay competitive however Sagamartha proved them all wrong with a valient effort in 3rd place finishing just under a length behind winner Sloe Gin. He went 2 better in the Prix du Cadran a month later taking Gold and making it 4/4 for his career on the flat in France. He was soon put away for the remaining few months of the year with the 2017 National now in mind. Again the owner Josh Hall opted for a warm up race this time choosing the 4m 2f Midlands National as a tester to see if Sagamartha could really stand a chance in the Grand National. Sagamartha came 2nd in the Midlands National behind 2015 Grand National winner Armada Graove and so passed this tricky test. On the 6th April 2017 Sagamartha, ridden by Liam Treadwell lined up as the 6/1 favourite for the Aintree Grand National in his first ever run at the course. He travelled very well for much of the running however fell when in 4th position at the 21st flight. The horse was tried over the flat again in his remaining years however didn't manage any more wins in 4 Group attempts as his speed begin to deterioate with age. However he was becoming a much better jumps horse and trainer Josh Hall fancied another crack at the National. Sagamartha - who was boarded by Jamie Moore - was again favourite this time at 7/1 and despite behind behind for a long way run on for 2nd place some 8 lengths behind 25/1 winner Tahill. In 2019, now at the age of 10 Sagamartha seemed to be weakening substantially as a horse. Having raced for the final time in France on the flat and only finishing in 9th position (at a course he had a past record of 11112) punters, trainers, fans and owners all felt like Sagamartha may be one of the greatest horses never to win a National. However Josh Hall was determined to give him one last try and once again gave him a run in the Midlands National. Unfortunately this didn't go down well at all and Sagamartha was way back in the field throughout and while he completed the 4m 2f course he only finished 13th out of 28 and was last of the horses that actually passed the post. But ever the hoper, Hall declared Sagamartha for his 3rd Grand National run. The previous two, Sagamartha had been favourite but having looked hopelessly out of form in the run up to the race he found himself a 66/1 outsider for what looked like being his last race of a fabulous career. After being restrained early by rookie jockey Seamus Durack Sagamartha started to make steady progress and with 4 to jump he was one of four horses still in with a fighting chance. He showed his will, fight and determination over those last few flights, proving that those who stayed faithful to this galliant horse were not to go home disappointing and at those huge odds of 66/1! Sagamartha won the 2019 Grand National by 5 lengths and by doing so made sure he is a horse who is truly never forgotten.