Gaelic Warrior claimed Gold Cup glory at the Cheltenham Festival, but the race was somewhat overshadowed when Envoi Allen collapsed and died after finishing.
Gaelic Warrior, jockey Willie Mullins’ only runner in the most prestigious race on the National Hunt calendar and second favorite on 11/4, was ridden by Paul Tend and shared the lead with Nicky Henderson’s Django Bey.
Rebecca Curtis’s Haitian Krulls raced for Wales, but his turn home disappeared, while Harry Redknapp’s The Jukebox Man ran well over the distance, with Gaelic Warrior winning by eight lengths over Django Bey, so owners may still be dreaming before it fades.
Inotewayurushinkin ran the big race in 3rd place to defend this honor.
Mullins, who won his fifth Gold Cup after two wins each at Al Bun Foto and Galopin des Champs, was quick to praise Townend: “He was a really cool jockey and a great horse. It was a great performance. Rich (Rich, the owner) has already won the Champion Hurdle this week and Paul has won that and the Champion Chase as well. It’s unbelievable.”
Gaelic Warrior and Townend aim to win Cheltenham Gold Cup
“It was an exceptional performance and I’m happy for the Ritches family. I think they were the first owners to win the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup in the same season.”
“I’m happy for Paul. He was very calm with him. Can you imagine what was going on in his head heading into the last fence? I can only tell you what was going on in my head, but I won’t talk about it now! There were so many accidents here at the last fence.
“The way he went about it was great and he was very dominant. He can be sharp at times, but Paul did everything right and the horse made an incredible jump. When you combine that with his ability, it’s great for owners and jockeys.”
Townend celebrate as Gaelic Warriors win Gold Cup at Cheltenham
Rich owns the winner with his wife Susannah and, as Mullins hinted, celebrated his Champion Hurdle glory with Rosiemus on Tuesday.
“I’ve been trying to win this race for 21 years. It’s amazing, it’s magic. These guys are so nice to me,” he said.
“It was a great ride from Paul. I didn’t watch the race, but I’ve heard it was. It’s been a great week. Incredible race, great winner, good race today. I’m happy for the horse. We’re trying to buy a Gold Cup winner and until today we’ve never been able to do that.”
“We’ve arrived in the mountains, and I love the game. It’s kept me hooked for years. The passion of the people. They accept me when they find me, I’m not the easiest guy, I’m American, I’m loud, obnoxious, this and that, but people have been good to me, and long may it continue to be that.”
Envoi Allen dies after final race of brilliant career
Envoi Allen dies after performing at Cheltenham Festival for the eighth time
Envoi Allen collapsed and died after finishing ninth in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The 12-year-old made the final start of his glittering career at the highlight of the Cheltenham Festival, making his eighth appearance at the Cheltenham Festival, with owner Cheveley Park Stud confirming he will be retired after his Blue Ribbon run.
Richard Thompson, director of Cheveley Park Stud, said: “He was an absolutely incredible horse.
“This was not the ending we wanted, but unfortunately it happened.
“He has been a great servant over the years and this is a very sad path.
“He left doing what he loved. He just retired at that moment. It’s tough.”
Envoi Allen started with Gordon Elliott and moved to Henry de Bromhead, achieving a total of 10 Grade One wins.
Dino Blue brilliantly defends Meles’ Chase title
Dino Blue defended her filly chase title in style on Friday.
DinoBlue once again demonstrated his toughness and reliability in successfully defending Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase title.
The chestnut horse, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Marsh Walsh under owner JP McManus, was seen off by the 11/8 favorite in the same race he won by eight and a half lengths last year.
In the end, Dino Blue easily pushed past runner-up Gavin Cromwell’s Only By Night and crossed the line a quarter of a length ahead, securing the victory. Panic Attack went to Dan Skelton in third place.
Apollo delivers a 50/1 shock with Triumph
Apollon de Charny (50/1) wins Triumph Hurdle under Patrick Mullins
Apollon de Charny shocked the Cheltenham crowd with a 50-1 win in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
The four-year-old, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his son Patrick, was aiming to retain the trophy at Closutton Stables after Poniros posted a 100-1 result on his hurdles debut 12 months ago.
Not much overlooked in the betting, the Edward Weir-owned gelding was a surprise leader over the line, with Maestro Conti a 5/1 chance behind him and Minella Studi (7/1) in third.
Deliberately inciting O’Neill’s team in the county
Jonjo O’Neill Jr. celebrates Wilful’s victory in the County Hurdle
Wilful led the way in the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle, with British-trained runners filling out the top five.
Trained by Jonjo and AJ O’Neill and ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr, the 14/1 victory was a true family affair with a father and two sons working together.
In a busy 23-horse field, the 7-year-old led locals Stick to the Plan, Joyeuse, Cracking Rhapsody and Sinatra (all UK-trained) to give the Jackdaws Castle stable his second win of the week, following Johnny Who in Tuesday’s Ultima Handicap.
