Bob Olinger turned back the clock to claim the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown, capping off a long, glittering career with a final triumph. The race featured Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo, the 5/4 favourite, who was aiming for a third consecutive win in the three‑mile contest. Teahupoo set the pace and led the field right up to the last flight, appearing to be on course for another victory. However, the seasoned veteran owned by the Robcour family, trained by Henry de Bromhead, began to make steady progress by the second last hurdle.
When the two horses jumped the final obstacle together, the 4/1 second‑favourite surged ahead, landing full of running as Teahupoo started to tire. Willie Mullins’ Jimmy Du Seuil closed quickly and slipped past Teahupoo for second place, but he could not erase the three‑quarters of a length gap that separated him from Bob Olinger.
The eleven‑year‑old champion crossed the line for his 11th win, delivering jockey Darragh O'Keeffe a remarkable treble on the day. The victory marked the last chapter of a career that has produced countless memorable moments for his connections.
Bob Olinger has won three Cheltenham Festival races – the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, the Turners Novices’ Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle – all of them with Rachael Blackmore aboard. "He read the script thankfully; he was brilliant and Darragh was brilliant on him. What a horse to have had," de Bromhead said after the race. "He's given us so many incredible days.
He's got a gear and he's pure class, he always has been." De Bromhead’s assistant, Davy Roche, added that Bob Olinger was "the best horse that’s ever come through our yard," a statement that reflects the deep affection the team has for the gelding, whom they regard as a second child. "I’m delighted for everyone at home – the Achesons, Darragh – what a day he’s had.
He’s a class rider and gave him a brilliant ride," de Bromhead continued. "It’s really special, one of the top ones. For him to go out like that is what he deserves; it’s typical of him." The trainer recalled the long partnership, noting that Brian Acheson had called to discuss the horse’s retirement plans, to which de Bromhead replied, "Spot on, perfect." He reflected on the highlights: "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 found the issue. He went back to Robbie Power and returned a different horse, the same as he was before." "This is one you savour, a special day.
You dream that they can end like that but many times they don’t. To see him go out like that is just phenomenal," de Bromhead concluded, emphasizing how fortunate they feel to have been part of Bob Olinger’s story. In other racing news, Harry Cobden warmed up for his new role as JP McManus’ retained jockey by taking advantage of a late‑season fall from Kopek Des Bordes aboard Salvator Mundi in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase. The 27‑year‑old will officially start his new appointment on Friday, but his performance in the race gave fans a glimpse of his potential.
Cobden, who previously rode Kitzbuhel to victory at the Cheltenham Festival, was aboard the 13/2 chance Salvator Mundi, a horse that had finished second in Grade One company at Aintree. The race began with the Paul Townend‑ridden Arkle runner‑up Kopek Des Bordes, the 4/11 favourite, taking a commanding lead.
However, two fences from the finish, Kopek Des Bordes fell, leaving Salvator Mundi with a narrow advantage. Seizing the opportunity, the horse surged ahead, eventually winning by twelve lengths over Irish Panther and giving Willie Mullins his 11th consecutive victory in the two‑mile contest. "He’s a good horse in his own right," Mullins said. "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 added that Salvator Mundi has always been a quality performer, but circumstances have sometimes prevented him from shining.
"He won at Aintree last year and he’s no back number. He probably needs nice ground, he’s probably more of a spring horse than a real winter horse," the trainer explained. The victory was also a morale boost for the Donnelly family, owners of Salvator Mundi. "I’m delighted for Marie and Joe Donnelly.
They’ve had a disappointing season, but now they have Kitzbuhel and this fella winning," Mullins said, highlighting the emotional significance of the win for the owners. Regarding Kopek Des Bordes, Mullins offered a sympathetic assessment: "He probably just lost his concentration going to the fence, without horses around him to keep him focused. He appeared to take off but never put out his landing gear and landed on his knees.
I think both horse and rider were very lucky. They seem to be all right, fingers crossed they are." These stories underscore the unpredictable drama and deep connections that define National Hunt racing, where the triumphs of seasoned veterans like Bob Olinger sit alongside the rise of new talent such as Harry Cobden and the resilience of horses that overcome setbacks to claim glory.