Might Bite Explained

Might Bite (born 20 June 2009) is a retired Irish-bred, British trained thoroughbred racehorse. He won four Group 1 races before being retired in 2021.^[1]

Career

Might Bite was bred in Ireland by John O'Brien. His first race was at Newbury in January 2015, finishing 3rd before winning at the same course in March.^[2] A further victory at Cheltenham in April followed.

He switched between Chase and Hurdle races during 2015 and into early 2016, before scoring a first chase win at Doncaster in December. A fall followed before a run of form consisting of six victories in seven races. This run of form in 2017 included multiple Grade 1 wins at Cheltenham in the RSA Chase,^[3] Aintree in the Mildmay Novices Chase^[4] and Kempton Park in the King George VI Chase.^[5]

Might Bite would return to the Cheltenham Festival in 2018 for a tilt at the Gold Cup, but ultimately finished second to Native River.^[6] A month later he won again at Aintree, this time in the Grade 1 Betway Bowl.^[7]

Following a summer break, Might Bite returned to Haydock in November 2018 but did not recapture his previous form and failed to win another race before retirement in 2021.^[8] His final race was at Aintree in the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase over the Grand National course, where he was pulled up.^{[9] [10]}

Might Bite was trained by Nicky Henderson for his whole racing career and was primarily ridden by Nico de Boinville.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Nicky Henderson brings down curtain on the career of Might Bite. Racing TV. 6 January 2021. 10 February 2022.
2. Web site: 2.30pm Newbury Result. Racing Post. 26 March 2015. 10 February 2022.
3. Web site: Might Bite rallies late on to snatch RSA Chase from Whisper's clutches. Sky Sports. 1 February 2018. 10 February 2022.
4. Web site: Might Bite backs up RSA triumph with game success in Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree. The Irish Independent. 7 April 2017. 10 February 2022.
5. Web site: Might Bite wins King George VI Chase at Kempton for Nicky Henderson. The Guardian. 26 December 2017. 10 February 2022.
6. Web site: Native River leads all the way to win Gold Cup at Cheltenham Festival. The Guardian. 16 March 2018. 10 February 2022.
7. Web site: Nicky Henderson treble ensures trainer retains coveted championship. The Guardian. 12 April 2018. 10 February 2022.
8. Web site: Might Bite "perfectly sound" after Betfair Chase flop, says Nicky Henderson. Racing TV. 25 November 2018. 10 February 2022.
9. Web site: 'You could write a bloody book on him' - quirky but talented Might Bite retired. Racing Post. 6 January 2021. 10 February 2022.
10. Web site: Full Result 15.15 Aintree. Sky Sports. 5 December 2020. 10 February 2022.