Bob Olinger turned back the clock to claim the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown, bringing his long and illustrious racing career to a fitting close. The 11‑year‑old veteran, owned by the Robcour family, faced a strong field that included Gordon Elliott's Teahupoo, the 5/4 favourite who was aiming for a third consecutive win over the three‑mile distance. Teahupoo set the early tempo and led the pack right up to the final flight, but the race narrative shifted dramatically as the finish approached.
Henry de Bromhead’s seasoned campaigner began to make steady progress by the second last fence. When the two Robcour‑owned horses leapt the last obstacle together, the 4/1 second‑favourite, Bob Olinger, emerged with a burst of speed that left Teahupoo beginning to fade. Willie Mullins’ Jimmy Du Seuil surged past the tiring favourite to take second place, but he could not close the three‑quarters of a length gap separating him from Olinger.
The win marked Olinger’s 11th career victory and gave jockey Darragh O'Keeffe a remarkable treble on the day, having also ridden the winners of the other two Punchestown races. The triumph was a poignant final chapter for a horse whose résumé includes three Cheltenham Festival victories – the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, the Turners Novices’ Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle – all secured alongside the legendary Rachael Blackmore.
De Bromhead praised the gelding, saying, "He read the script thankfully; he was brilliant and Darragh was brilliant on him. What a horse to have had.
He's given us so many incredible days. He's got a gear and he's pure class, he always has been." Assistant trainer Davy Roche echoed the sentiment, calling Olinger "the best horse that’s ever come through our place," adding that his affection for the animal was almost paternal. The trainer’s family, particularly the Achesons, were also lauded for their partnership with the horse, with O'Keeffe receiving special commendation for delivering a ride that matched Olinger’s class and determination.
De Bromhead reflected on the planning that led to the horse’s retirement, recalling a phone call from Brian Acheson confirming the decision. "Spot on, perfect," he said, emphasizing how the timing felt right after a season of strong performances. He also highlighted the collaborative effort that kept Olinger competitive, from vet Ger Kelly’s diagnosis in Fethard to the care of trainer Robbie Power, who helped the gelding return to his best form after a brief setback. The emotional weight of the day was evident in the comments of those who had worked with Olinger over the years.
"We’ve been so lucky to be part of his story," de Bromhead said. "Rachael won the Stayers’ Hurdle on him, the year of Covid when he won the Ballymore – what a ride she gave him.
Then we lost him for a little bit, but Ger Kelly in Fethard was brilliant and he found the issue. He went back to Robbie’s and came back a different horse, the same as he was before. This is one you savour, just a special day.
You dream that they can end like that but plenty of time they don’t. To see him go out like that is just phenomenal." Beyond Olinger’s farewell, the meeting produced other notable stories.
Harry Cobden, preparing for his new role as JP McManus’s retained jockey, rode Salvator Mundi to a dominant 12‑length victory in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase. The 27‑year‑old had previously showcased his talent on Kitzbuhel at Cheltenham, and his performance on Salvator Mundi reinforced his readiness for the high‑profile appointment.
The race itself unfolded after the 4/11 favourite, Kopek Des Bordes, ridden by Paul Townend, made a mistake at the second‑last fence and fell, opening the door for Salvator Mundi. The horse stayed close to the fallen leader’s tail, and once the front‑runner was out of contention, he seized the opportunity, pulling away from Irish Panther and securing Willie Mullins’s 11th consecutive win in the two‑mile contest. Mullins praised the winner, noting, "He's a good horse in his own right. He was right on the premises; it wasn't as if he was 20 lengths behind and picked up the pieces.
He was going to be involved in the finish. If Kopek had made a mistake there and got away with it, your man was right on his tail." Mullins also commented on Salvator Mundi’s preferred conditions, suggesting the gelding thrives on softer ground and is more of a spring‑type runner than a winter specialist.
He expressed satisfaction for the Donnelly owners, who had endured a challenging season but now could celebrate a victory with a horse that had previously shown top‑class form at Aintree. In summary, Punchestown delivered a memorable finale for Bob Olinger, a horse whose career spanned over a decade of top‑level success, and offered a glimpse of future talent in Harry Cobden’s rising profile. The day encapsulated the highs and lows of racing – triumph, strategic planning, and the deep bonds formed between horses, trainers, jockeys, and owners – reminding fans why the sport continues to capture the imagination of enthusiasts worldwide.