Cheltenham festival was unusually ill-tempered at times last week. Maybe it’s the narky digital age we live in; all the instinctive hair-trigger outrage that’s the default setting for any kind of annoyance. But there was a cranky vibe to much of it that seemed to capture the zeitgeist. In many ways the most obvious flashpoint … Read more
The 12-year-old collpased and died following the Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival 09:18, 14 Mar 2026Updated 09:19, 14 Mar 2026 Zoe Smalley Zoe Smalley, a key member of Henry de Bromhead’s team, paid an emotional tribute to Envoi Allen following the legendary horse’s death at the Cheltenham Festival. The 12-year-old, who was having the … Read more
We crunch the numbers behind four days of astonishing success for the Carlow trainer where he won all three of the week’s major races Willie Mullins and his family, jockeys and yard staff celebrate with the 2026 Cheltenham Festival Leading Trainer trophy at the end of the festival(Image: ©INPHO/Tom Maher) Willie Mullins was crowned leading … Read more
An Irish pensioner scooped more than half a million quid from bookmakers Paddy Power after placing one of the greatest Cheltenham Festival bets of all time on Friday. The male punter, aged 69, secured the massive windfall from a 50cent each-way Lucky 63 bet, which cost €63 to put on, as all six of his … Read more
It’s a drizzly, grey day in Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, where I’m meeting history-making jockey Rachael Blackmore. We’re in Rachel’s Cafe, the bustling restaurant of a sprawling garden centre. “They’ve spelt your name wrong,” I say in mock indignation, pointing at the sign, and she laughs and says, “well spotted”. Blackmore is one of those Rachaels … Read more
It’s 30 years since a famous headline in racing history. The esteemed bloodstock writer Tony Morris responded to Celtic Swing swerving the Epsom Derby, and lining up instead in the French equivalent, with a critique headed Sad Mad Bad. History kind of repeated itself this week. JP McManus’s decision to remove his Cheltenham Gold Cup … Read more
There’s an old line about how for every problem there’s a solution that’s simple, neat and wrong. The Cheltenham Festival has a problem and there might even be simple neat solution. Returning to a three-day festival would be an embarrassing reverse for the Jockey Club. It’s no silver bullet to the festival’s slipping appeal either. … Read more
Day Four schedule 1.20: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2.0: William Hill County Handicap Hurdle 2.40: Mrs Paddy Power Mares Steeple Chase (Grade 2) 3.20: Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle (Grade 1) 4.0: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase 4.40: St James’s Place Festival Hunters Chase 5.20: Martin Pope Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle There’s a person wandering … Read more
Galopin Des Champs has a shot at steeplechasing immortality by pulling off a hat-trick in Friday’s Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. Just four horses have won the sport’s ‘Bule Riband’ three times. They make up a legendary elite. Best Mate was the last to pull off a magical three-in-a-row 21 years ago. Cottage Rake did the … Read more
Galopin Des Champs continued his love affair with Leopardstown and added his name to the history books by winning a third Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. He joined Jodami and Beef Or Salmon on three wins in the race and it would take a brave man to say Willie … Read more