[2] However, many observers felt that Persian War could have accomplished even more if not for the interference of his owner Henry Alper, who employed six trainers to prepare the horse during his career and often targeted unsuitable races.
His dam, Warning, was a big boned daughter of champion sire Chanteur (also the winner of the Coronation Cup), and had produced Escort, who finished fourth in the Derby for Jakie Astor.
It was this race that brought Persian War to the attention of Henry Alper, who immediately purchased him for £9,000, a then record price for a hurdler, and relocated him to Brian Swift’s yard at Epsom.
[4] He suffered a defeat at Kempton in the Friary Meux Gold Cup, when he misjudged a hurdle and struck his head on the ground, losing two teeth and gashing his tongue.
[2] Persian War confirmed his status as the best juvenile hurdler around with a win in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in April, where he reversed placings with Te Fou.
When trainer Swift disagreed, Alper removed the horse from his care and sent him to Chantilly, where he contracted a bad chill and was in a poor state when he eventually returned to Britain.
Now in the yard of Chepstow trainer Colin Davies, Persian War slowly returned to form with two placed efforts under big weights at Doncaster and Kempton.
[2] He was then targeted at the Schweppes Gold Trophy at Newbury where, at only 5 years old, he was allotted top weight of 11 st 13 lbs against a field of thirty one rivals.
[2] Persian War's season ended with two thirds in France, behind Orvilliers in the Prix La Barka and Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle).
[2] He added to his record with a win in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on firm ground, beating Sempervivum by two lengths with old rival Te Fou back in third.
[12] He next ran in the Irish Sweeps Hurdle at Fairyhouse but again suffered breathing issues (despite a tongue strap) and lost his position half a mile from home before battling to third place while conceding winner Normandy 12 lbs.
[11] Persian War ran without the tongue strap at Haydock and recorded the worst finish of his career in seventh behind Tanlic while conceding over a stone to all of his rivals (and 33 lbs to the winner).
[12] He ran with the strap in the Lonsdale Handicap Hurdle at Kempton and put up an improved performance to finish second, beaten three quarters of a length, behind Big Valley while conceding 31 lbs.
Approaching the final flight, only Major Rose mustered a challenge, and Persian War saw him off to win by a length and a half[12] “in the manner of Sir Ken”.
[12] As he had had wind issues again during the race, Persian War had his soft palate operated on at the Newmarket Equine Research Centre in an attempt to solve the problem.
[14] He next finished third to old rival Major Rose in the Oteley Hurdle at Sandown, before a fifth under 12 st 7 lbs to Cala Mesquida in the Schweppes Gold Trophy.
[16] Alper proposed that the horse be tried over fences, which led to a falling out with Dennis Rayson, and Jack Gibson being appointed as Persian War’s sixth and final trainer.