Looks Like Trouble
Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse (1992–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Looks Like Trouble (7 May 1992 – 10 April 2025) was an Irish-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. A specialised steeplechaser, he was trained by Noel Chance. He raced between February 1997 and June 2003 and won eight of his eighteen races, including the 2000 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
| Looks Like Trouble | |
|---|---|
 Racing silks of Michael & Gerry Worcester and Tim Collins | |
| Sire | Zaffaran |
| Grandsire | Assert |
| Dam | Lavengaddy |
| Damsire | Balgaddy |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 7 May 1992 |
| Died | 10 April 2025 (aged 32) |
| Country | Ireland |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Stephen Reel |
| Owner | Michael & Gerry Worcester Universal Conference & Incentive Travel Tim Collins |
| Trainer | Noel Chance |
| Record | 18: 8-2-2 |
| Earnings | £336,017[1] |
| Major wins | |
| RSA Chase (1999) Pillar Chase (2000) Cheltenham Gold Cup (2000) James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase (2000) | |
| Last updated on 12 April 2025 | |
After finishing second in a point-to-point in Ireland, Looks Like Trouble joined the stables of trainer Noel Chance in Upper Lambourn. His first season in Britain (1997/1998) saw him race three times in novice hurdle races, coming fifth, second and third. The following season (1998/1999) he competed in novice chases and secured three victories, including the RSA Chase at the 1999 Cheltenham Festival, in which he was ridden by Paul Carberry.[1]
Looks Like Trouble started the 1999/2000 season with third place in the Charlie Hall Chase, ridden for the first time by Norman Williamson. The pair went on to win a race at Sandown by a distance before pulling up in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park. In January 2000 they won the Pillar Chase on Festival Trials Day by a distance.[1] Before the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Looks Like Trouble's owner fell out with Williamson and the ride was given to Richard Johnson.[2] Starting at 9/2 joint second favourite, Looks Like Trouble won by five lengths in spite of a blunder at the tenth fence. In second place was the other joint second favourite Florida Pearl, while the favourite, previous year's Gold Cup winner See More Business, was fourth.[1]
Looks Like Trouble raced only once in the 2000/2001 season, winning the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase under Johnson at Down Royal in November 2000. He did not race again for over a year due to a tendon injury.[1][3] On his return to the racecourse in January 2002, he won the John Bull Chase at Wincanton under Seamus Durack.[1] He was then reunited with Johnson for the 2002 Cheltenham Gold Cup, in which he trailed in last of the thirteen finishers. After the race, he was found to have a recurrence of his tendon injury and his trainer announced his retirement.[3] He came out of retirement in June 2003 to win a charity race with Brendan Powell at Newbury. He was then entered in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at the 2003 Royal Ascot meeting.[4] It was his only appearance on the flat. Ridden by Richard Hughes, he finished ninth of the 13 runners, being virtually pulled up in the final furlong.[1] After the race he was retired for good and lived with Richard Johnson and his family until his death on 10 April 2025, at the age of 33.[5]